European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 16, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Usa eur Mercer shows no mercy by Bucky Fox stall Widerh  s Golden Opportunity Baum older s Homeboy. Tho specialist from co d. Isl in 39th jul. Who specializes in shall erg Roomy chins hos Finy Morecr the merciless one gunning or no 1 Wlch Cir is Iho  heavyweight boning representative Al the Seoul olympics. Sports Lulu Lra cd 13 one publication picking him to win the Gold Morjal ii he does Mercer would join Willie Davenport As Usa eur Al Teles reaching olympic glory. Only Moj Cei would have a unique spot in Usa eur history whereas Dave Sporl was a Fornof both in div Soldier a Tjien he won the High hurdles at Mexico City in 1963, Mcrae is an Active Betti in div Soldier on extended toy. Mercer plans to return of Germany before trading Iho army Tor a pro boxing career in january. He has t or Gollen ins mow troops in Baum older. He sait his 3-2 decision Over Michael Bent in the olympic Tox Olf was Tor the boys Back in the 8lh id in Baum Huldur this one was Tor  Mercer s company sent him support in the form of a Banner Reading go. Mercer  David Williams would t mind sending the Boxer a card Reading come Back Mercer come  he s a Good Soldier said Williams a sergeant in Mercer s Mil fit he did a Good Job he showed initiative Mercer s of in Baum older is track commander. He sat behind a 50-caliber machine gun on an armoured personnel Carrier and was responsible or its movement Collaci the Way it responded in she Field its maintenance said Williams to knew his stuff Teal Well said William Riggs a Corporal who also works in a error s company heavyweight nay Mercer a Soldier stationed Al Baum Woldet weal Germany la aiming for Chy Mph Gold. Tho army sports Olaco in Washington knows Mercer less than in thinks. It reported in july that Mercer was a 28-year-old sergeant. Mercer s personnel outfit in Baum older confirms he s a 27. Year old specialist Mercer a native of Jacksonville Fla Learned boxing at the tale age Al 22 War e stationed in sch Winfun. When to was 24 and stationed in Baum older he won the 1985 Usa eur heavyweight championship. He won two More Usa eur titles before flying stateside Las Winter. He trained Al Tho All army Camp and swept through the armed forces . Amateur and olympic trial tournaments his Only loss of 1988 was to Cuba s Felix Savon tha no. 1-ranked heavyweight who out pointed Mercer april 30 in Atlantic cd. But Cuba says it s boycotting these olympics. According to sports illustrated Mercer s toughest Competition will coma trom Holland s a. Van Dor Lido Italy s Luigi Gau Diarro and Russia s Ramzan Subj yes mow they have a shot at lacing a . Soldier who handles his lists As Weli As his machine gun. I track with the record holders 8y Bert Rosenthal associated Pressi f the Seoul olympics were a game show Cal gory and everything Well according to plan Iho answers and questions might go like this Carl Lewis who was the last splinter to successfully defend his olympic championship Ben Johnson who As the world s fastest human spoiled Carl Lewis attempt to win Lour god medals for a second straight olympics Jackie Joyner Hersco who was the superwoman who won bold Iho he Pollon and the Long jump Sergei Bubka who was the Lisl to break Polo vaulting s 20 loot Barrier and Tho first Soviel to win the eve rent in the olympics Edwin Moses who won an unprecedented Izreo Gold medals in Tho 100 hurdles Between lha 1976 and 19bb olympics May Decker Slaney what amen can woman had to beat her own bad tuck Belore finally beating her opponents Lor an olympic medal Florence in Leith Joyner what american known Jor her sizzling oui fils As Well As times became Tho first woman since 1972 to win both the 100 Anil 200 meter a saws Daley Thompson who became the Only Man to win the decathlon or free straight olympics East Germany and the soviet Union what countries finished 1-2 in medals puzzles abound for track and held Competition beginning sept. 23 and running through Tho final Day of the games oct. 2, with one of Day. Sept 27, this being the Lisl olympics since i976wilh the United states the soviet Union and East Germany All competing Iho medal count will be watched almost As closely As the individual performances. Most recently the three met in tha 1987 world championships at Rome where East Germany dominated. The East germans won the most medals 31, the most golds 10. The most medals by women. 23. And Ine most golds by women six the soviet Union finished second in total medals with 25. But the United Stales was second in golds with nine. The american men also had the most . 13, and the most golds six in their total of 19 medals while the medals table will to closely scrum a Raj. The individual performances will come under a Mote powerful Microscope. Occupying Center stage will be Lewis. Only he Jesse Owens in 1936 and Arvin Kranzley in 1900, have won four track and Licud Gold medals in one olympics. No one has won four twice in a Row and no one has won the 100,200 or Long jump twice. Lewis will begin his quest Lor Gold in the 100. Ihen compete in the 200 and Long jump and Complete an attempt for another sweep in the 400-meter relay in which to will Anchor the . Team. Joyner Kersee has a More modest winning Streak in the grinding two Day seven event heptathlon. She is unbeaten since 1985 and is the Only Hep athlete to surpass 7,000 Pew its reaching a record 7.215 Al the trials. Steno world record Holder in the women s mile and the american record Holder at All distances from 800 meters to 10,000 meters has yet to strike olympic Gold or even olympic medal mainly because of injuries or accidents. Griffith Joyner raced Inlo worldwide prominence during last month s us. Olympic trials with a spectacular series at performances in inc women s sprints including an electrifying world record clocking of 10.49 in the 100. Track and Field Iho Blue ribbon event of Tho games also will Lealure several other world record holders world champions and olympic Gold Modals is Page 16 the stars and stripes Friday september 16,1ssb