It will be tough to follow in Greene's footsteps

His spirit was willing. But his muscles and tendons, taxed by years of propelling him out of the starting blocks and driving him faster than almost any human has run, would carry him no more.

So last week in Beijing, where he had hoped to win another Olympic gold medal this summer and enthrall the world, the 33-year-old sprinter announced his retirement on a quiet winter's day.

"I'll miss the feeling of being on the 100-meter starting line at the world championships or the Olympic Games. There's no feeling like that in the world," said Greene, who plans to stay in the sport as a consultant.

"It gives you such a high. I feel more comfortable there than lying on my own bed. That's what I love."

It's unfortunate that Greene, three times the 100-meter world champion -- including an unprecedented 1999 sprint double -- the Sydney Olympic champion and former world-record holder, is leaving just when his sport needs him most.

When his showmanship might repaire some of the damage done by drug scandals that took down Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery and too many others.

When a generation of young runners has learned how to win but hasn't learned how to grab casual fans or create rivalries that might revive the interest track and field once generated around the globe.

It hurt him to leave. It would have hurt even more to stay.

"The last couple of years have been really hard on me to get a steady training base because I always had something nagging, some kind of injury," said Greene, who has lived and trained in Southern California for more than 11 years.

"It was a mental battle with myself to overcome injuries and compete. This year was going to be my last regardless, so I figured I might as well go ahead and do it now. I've had a great career and I'd rather leave now, before people tell me to leave."

Greene was cocky, but in a way that was theatrical, not mean. He was brash. He clearly stepped over the line at the Sydney Olympics, when he and the other three members of the triumphant 400-meter relay team preened and cavorted during the national anthem in a disrespectful, adrenaline-fueled display for which they profoundly and profusely apologized.

He also won. A lot.