Montgomery took the 100m world record in 2002

Maurice Greene has called sprint rival Tim Montgomery "stupid" for leaving long-time coach Trevor Graham to link up with Ben Johnson's former trainer.

Montgomery, the 100m world record holder, left Graham to train with Charlie Francis, who coached Johnson to his infamous steroid-assisted 1988 Olympic win.

Francis later admitted under oath he helped Johnson obtain steroids.

Greene said Montgomery would have been better off sticking with Graham.

"I think he made a mistake when he left Trevor," said Greene.

"Someone coaches you to a world record and you leave him, you're stupid. A lot of times problems can be talked out."

Montgomery, and his girlfriend Marion Jones, parted from Graham last month to link up with Vancouver-based trainer Derek Hansen.

It would be in Tim's best interests not to race against me Maurice Greene

But they have also been spotted training with sprint specialist Francis in Toronto.

"The only person Charlie Francis has coached is Ben Johnson and he got banned.

"But people do things in desperate situations," said Greene.

"Marion is a good athlete. She will always run her times. She doesn't have to go to Charlie Francis."

Greene said his relationship with Montgomery had cooled, especially since Montgomery claimed the 100m record.

"He sees me as a person that is in his way," he said.

"I speak to him when I see him. I will say 'hello' and sometimes he speaks back and sometimes he doesn't."

New coach for Gardener

And Greene further fuelled the tension between the two runners, by suggesting that Montgomery would not want to take him on in 2003.

"It would be in his best interest not to race against me.

"Because if he doesn't beat me, then the world record he got doesn't mean anything."

Meanwhile, Britain's Jason Gardener has teamed up with Frankie Fredericks.

The European 60m champion will train with the four-time Olympic medallist at his home in Namibia.

Gardener was introduced to Fredericks through new coach Malcolm Arnold, whose other charge, Colin Jackson, is good friends with the 35-year-old.