AMERICANS Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson clinched Olympic berths in contrasting styles in Atlanta yesterday.

Lewis gained an opportunity to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive long jump gold medal when he leaped 8.30 metres on his second attempt and hung on for the third and final US spot in the event. World record holder Mike Powell dramatically came from sixth to win with an effort of 8.39 metres while Joe Greene, the 1992 Olympic bronze medallist, finished second with 8.34 metres.

World champion Johnson, meanwhile, raced to the third fastest 400 metres of all time, clocking 43.44 seconds for his 53rd consecutive victory in the event. But he said a poor reaction to the starter's gun cost him a world record.

Yet only Butch Reynolds, whose world record is 43.29, and Johnson, who won the world championship last year in 43.39, have run faster.

Reynolds, the 1988 Olympic silver medallist, claimed the second spot in 43.91 seconds as he ran under 44 seconds for the first time since 1988.