EIGHT times Olympic champion Carl Lewis struggled home last as Dennis Mitchell cruised to an impressive victory in the men's 100 metres final at the US Olympic athletics trials on Saturday.

Lewis, after developing a cramp in his right calf in his earlier semi final, could not muster any of his famous mid race speed and finished eighth with a time of 10.21 seconds in the race to determine the US 100 metre team for the Atlanta Olympics.

"I hope I've still got some more moments," said Lewis, who will attempt to participate in his fourth, and final, Olympics by qualifying for the long jump, and perhaps the 200 metres later this week.

But the 1984 and 1988 Olympic gold medallist said this was his last championship 100 metres.

The stunning night also produced a stirring victory by world champion Gwen Torrence over Olympic gold medallist Gail Devers in the women's 100 metres. Torrence won the race in 10.82 seconds - the fastest time of the year and equal to her career best. Devers clocked 10.91 seconds for second and collegiate champion D'Andre Hill was third in 10.92 seconds.

Mitchell, the 1992 Olympic bronze medallist, won the men's 100 metres in 9.92 seconds, despite also developing cramps. He sprawled on the track after the race and called for medical attention.

got out well, but at 50 metres every muscle in my leg started to cramp. . . and I said, Lord. take me to the line and he did." said Mitchell who was clothed in a day glo green uniform and wearing a ring in his pierced right eyebrow.

"And I'm Barcelona bound, baby," added the excited Mitchell, obviously forgetting he was in the very stadium where the 1996 Games would be staged.

Olympic 200 metre champion Michael Marsh was second in the race in 10.00 seconds and Jon Drummond nailed down the third and final US 100 metres spot with a time of 10.01 seconds.

Jeff Williams finished fourth in 10.06 seconds with world record holder Leroy Burrell sixth in 10.07.

Torrence came out of the starting blocks behind Devers in the women's race, but by 30 meters the Atlanta native was challenging for the lead and took it by the halfway mark.

"Now the show has begun. I can get ready for the party and I hope to dance in July." said Torrence, who hopes to compete in the 100 and 200 metres and at least one relay here in her home town next month.

Also, world record holder Jackie Joyner Kersee's suffered her first loss to an American in a completed heptathlon since 1983.

Kelly Blair overtook Joyner Kersee in the final event of the heptathlon. running the 800 metres in 2 minutes, 12.23 seconds to finish with 6,406 points. Joyner Kersee had 6.403 points. but still made the team as one of the top three.

"I'm not angry or disappointed (about losing)," said Joyner Kersee. "Nothing was going my way but I have no excuses."

Kenny Harrison, the 1991 world champion, struck early in the men's triple jump, soaring a wind-aided 18.01 metres on his first and only attempt. Only three men have ever jumped farther than Harrison. Olympic champion Mike Conley was second with 17.57 metres.

In the shot, world record holder Randy Barnes delivered the longest put of the season, 21.37 metres, to pace a strong US Olympic team in the event. World champion John Godina claimed second at 21.19 metres and C J Hunter earned the final US berth at 21.07 metres. World champion Michael Johnson, bidding to become the first male to win gold at 200 and 409 metres in the same Olympics, began his trials with a swift, but relaxed run in the 400. Wearing eye catching purple shoes, Johnson dominated most of the race before easing up at the line to claim second in 44.80 seconds.