JOYNER-KERSEE DROPS OUT.

Byline: Michael Ventre Daily News Staff Writer

With a wince and then a limp in her opening event, Jackie Joyner-Kersee's bid for a third straight Olympic gold medal in the heptathlon ended Saturday.

Competing in the third heat of the 100-meter hurdles, her right leg heavily wrapped, the Canoga Park resident pulled up just after her last leap and stepped gingerly to the finish line.

A rain delay at Olympic Stadium followed between the hurdles and the high jump. After some practice attempts, her husband and coach, Bob Kersee, stepped in with his verdict. The injury to her right thigh was just too much.

``I said, `Listen here. I'm going to pull you,' '' he related. ``She said, `Bobby, no. Don't pull me.'

``Then her husband stood up and said, `That's enough, it's time for me to pull you. I'm no longer going to allow you to do this. It's not a coach-athlete thing. This is your husband talking.

`` `It's time for you to go.' ''

With that, they both cried. Then she left the Olympic Stadium without comment.

In other events Saturday, Kenny Harrison of the U.S. won the triple jump with a leap of 59 feet, 4-1/4 inches - an Olympic and American record - and Heli Rantanen of Finland won the women's javelin with a throw of 67.94.

Balazs Kiss of Hungary, who starred for USC, sits in third place in the men's hammer throw after the first round of qualifying.

Michael Johnson, meanwhile, cruised toward his goal of individual gold in both the 200- and 400-meters with an absurdly easy heat Saturday, in which he estimated he gave ``about 10 to 15 percent'' effort at the end en route to a time of 44.62. Johnson stands first after two rounds of qualifying in the 400.

``By no means was I toying with the other runners,'' Johnson explained. ``I was not concerned with what they were doing. I just want to make sure I'm as confident as possible heading into the final.''

But the major news Saturday concerned an athlete who is no longer in contention, at least in the event that has become her trademark.

Joyner-Kersee, who has been plagued by nagging injuries for the past year, is still scheduled to compete in the long jump. In 1988 at Seoul, she won the gold medal in that event and took the bronze at Barcelona in '92.

The women's long jump begins with qualifying on Thursday. The finals will be held on Friday.

Her withdrawal from the heptathlon brought sadness to some close to her.

Sprinter Gwen Torrence, who won the bronze medal in the women's 100 meters Saturday night, said she was shaken by the news.

``When I saw Jackie go, it broke my heart,'' Torrence said. ``She is the cream of our crop.''

U.S. Olympic teammate Jearl Miles, who is competing in the 400 meters, said Joyner-Kersee's absence in the heptathlon will be difficult for her to accept.

``I don't want to call her the grandmother of track and field,'' Miles said, ``but I've heard of Jackie Joyner-Kersee ever since I've been in sports.''

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Photo

Photo: (color) Jackie Joyner-Kersee, left, is consoled by h usband and coach Bob Kersee after an injury forced her out of the heptathlon.

Associated Press