Marion Jones Suffers Another Humiliation
By John Mehaffey
ATHENS (Reuters) - Marion Jones suffered another humiliation in the worst season of her life Friday when she left the Olympic stadium without a medal from her only two events.
After finishing fifth in the women's long jump final, Jones ran the second leg for the United States 4x100 relay team who had expressed confidence before the race that they could break the world record set by East Germany in 1985.
But despite screaming "Wait, wait, stop" to the third runner on the team as she completed the second leg, Jones could not reach Lauryn Williams with the baton.
When she finally made contact on the fourth attempt it was all far too late for the Americans and Williams did not even attempt to catch up to the runners flying away in front of her.
Jamaica went on to win the gold ahead of Russia and France.
Jones, who won three gold medals and two bronzes at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, qualified only for the long jump in the individual events at the Athens Games.
She has also been investigated by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after the BALCO laboratory in California was raided following the discovery of the designer steroid THG (tetrahydrogestrinone).
In addition her partner Tim Montgomery (news - web sites), the world 100 meters record holder, has received a letter from USADA alleging serious doping allegations.
EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING
"I exceeded my wildest dreams in a negative sense," Jones said. "We were looking for great things to happen, they didn't happen today."
"It's extremely disappointing, words can't put it into perspective."
Thanks for the article! Saves me from wasting time out of my Friday night wondering who won. ;)