Marurice sends rivals Greene with envy

“Naturally I’m very happy. My goal was to get a share of the jackpot as that means a lot of money.

“I was a bit nervous when Menendez threw 67.83M as I’d only surpassed that distance twice this year. In Sydney, 68 or 69m should bring a medal,” said the Norwegian.

World champion Gabriela Szabo of Romania had expected to take the women’s 5000m and had said beforehand she might even make an attempt on the world record.

But her confidence proved misplaced and Kenya’s Leah Malot caught her near the line to pip her in 14:39.83, with Szabo 0.78sec adrift and another Kenyan runner, Tegla Loroupe, third in 14:46.70.

In contrast to the likes of Greene, Jones and Johnson, Olympic polevault champion Jean Galfione of France had another nightmare to add to his abysmal showing in Brussels.

He left the meeting in double quicktime after failing to clear the bar once after three failures at 5.51m.

Jeff Hartwig of the United States won the event after clearing 5.71m.