Track: Split-second that will last a lifetime

For a split-second on Friday Cook Islands sprinter Teina Teiti was on top of the world, bounding down the Olympic Stadium track ahead of world record holder Maurice Greene.

Teiti, a 17-year-old from Rarotonga, was first to move when the starter set off heat six of the men's 100m, reacting in just .170 seconds. Beside him in lane three, Greene was slower off the mark.

It was a psychological victory for Teiti, who summoned up the nerve to talk to two-time world champion Greene before the race.

"I said 'I'll race you to the end'," he said.

"He didn't say anything to me, so I said 'all right I'll see you out there'."

Sadly for Teiti, it all fell apart after the first couple of strides. American Greene flashed by to win in 10.31s.

Teiti was last home in 11.22s, a time that would not win a national secondary school title in New Zealand.

"The race was pretty good. It wasn't what I expected, but it went all right," he said. "A 17-year-old boy, running in this major competition was a great experience."

He had gone from training on a lonely grass track in the Cook Islands to racing in Olympic Stadium in front of more than 100,000 spectators.

Tongan sprinter Koula Toluta'u, last home in heat four in 11.01s, had better luck with Greene, who wished him good luck.

- NZPA