Foster Breaks Record in Hurdles, but He Still Claims Better Mark

INDIANAPOLIS —  Greg Foster broke the world record in the 60-meter hurdles Friday night at the Hoosier Dome, winning his qualifying heat at the World indoor track and field championships in 7.46 seconds. But he believes he can do better.

In fact, he already has done better.

Foster’s time was better than the previously recognized world record of 7.47 that he shared with Canada’s Mark McKoy.

Foster, however, ran a 7.36 Jan. 16 at the Sports Arena.

“I still consider that the record, to be honest,” he said. “The only reason is because it probably will last a little longer.”

After reviewing films of that race in Los Angeles, Bernie Wagner, an official of The Athletics Congress, which governs the sport in the United States, refused to submit the time for record consideration to the international federation because he said Foster false-started. No false start was called by meet officials, who have insisted Wagner is incorrect.

“I’ve talked to other TAC officials, who have told me the situation will be rectified and the record will be submitted,” Foster said. “They (TAC officials) are going to vote on it in December. Until then, the best way to get it back is do it again.”

There was one other world record Friday. In becoming the first winner in the first World indoor championships, the Soviet Union’s Olga Krishtop had a time of 12:05.49 in the women’s 3,000-meter walk. “We live in Novosibirsk, which is in Siberia,” Krishtop said. ‘I’m married and have a 6-year-old son. When I chase after him, I run--not walk.”

Another Soviet athlete, Natalia Lisovskaya, won the women’s shotput with a throw of 67 feet 4 inches.

The United States won its only medal of the day, a gold, when Larry Myricks leaped 27-0 in the long jump.