Greene a no-show in Madrid

Olympic and world champion Maurice Greene has been left out of the United States team for next weekend’s World Cup final in Madrid.

After indifferent form on the IAAF Golden League and Grand Prix circuit in recent weeks, Greene has given up his 100 metres place to in-form American sprinter Tim Montgomery, last year’s world silver medallist.

Despite the absence of the world-record holder, Montgomery - winner last month of both the Zurich and Brussels Grand Prix meetings - will be a more than adequate replacement.

His final clash of the year with Britain’s Dwain Chambers will be one of the highlights of the two-day meeting beginning next Friday.

The absence of Greene came as no surprise.

"I really don’t know what Maurice’s plans are at this point. I have not yet seen our roster for the World Cup," said US spokesman Tom Surber, earlier this week.

But after crashing to sixth place at last Friday’s Golden League meeting in Berlin, the withdrawal was already on the cards.

"This means I will definitely not be competing in the World Cup now," said Greene, no longer looking the cocky "Kansas Cannonball" who has dominated the 100 metres since emerging in 1997.

There is still a healthy look to the US teams for the match against the five continents of Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and Oceania.

In the men’s event they also tackle Britain, Germany and Spain while the women’s opposition includes Russia, Germany and the host nation.

The American men have won the World Cup three times. With Africa having the same number of victories the stage is set for another thrilling confrontation with massive prize money of over $3m (€3m) on offer.