Berlin Track and Field Meet : McKean Beats Coe in 800; Bubka Upset by Gataullin

BERLIN — Tom McKean of Britain beat compatriot Sebastian Coe at 800 meters, and Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union incurred a rare loss in the pole vault Friday at the International Amateur Athletic Federation Grand Prix track and field final.

Bubka, the world champion and a big favorite in next month’s Seoul Olympics, was beaten by countryman Rodion Gataullin.

The meet at Olympic Stadium did produce expected victories by Said Aouita of Morocco in the mile (3:56.21), Calvin Smith of the United States in the 100 meters (10.12 seconds) and Paula Ivan of Romania in the women’s 1,500 (4:00.24).

On a rainy and blustery night with the stadium one-quarter full, McKean defeated Coe, who was racing for the first time in three weeks. McKean’s victory over the two-time Olympic 1,500-meter champion seemed to confirm the decision of British selectors, who earlier this month left Coe off the Olympic team.

McKean, who has run sluggishly in Europe this month but will run the 800 in the Olympics, won in a slow time of 1 minute 47.60 seconds, with Coe second in 1:47.87.

Bubka, the world record-holder, failed three times at 19 feet 4 inches to leave Gataullin the winner at 19-6.