Leroy Burrell, the world record holder in the 100 meters, has a spot on the U.S. Olympic team after all.
Burrell, who set the 100 record of 9.85 seconds in 1994, joined Dennis Mitchell, Jon Drummond and Mike Marsh on the 400-meter relay team Monday. Carl Lewis declined a berth as an alternate."I feel great," Burrell told Houston's KRIV-TV. "I'm very happy they have confidence in me. I would loved to have made the team on my own, but this is still good."
Sixth in the 100 in the trials last week in Atlanta, Burrell was eligible because he advanced to the final. He teamed with Lewis, Marsh and Mitchell to set the Olympic record of 37.40 seconds in the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Lewis still hoped to be picked for the anchor leg of the relay.
"Being in an alternate situation isn't right for me," Lewis said. "I've won eight gold medals and there are other people, I'm sure, that would love to be alternates."