The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Marion Jones steals the show

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 09, 2004

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Sport - Athletics

Marion Jones steals the show

KINGSTON, MAY 8. Marion Jones believes public opinion is on her side in the steroid scandal swirling around her.

That was clear on a muggy Friday night in the Caribbean, where the track and field queen earned bigger cheers than the hometown athletes and dazzled the fans with two wins in the Jamaica International Invitational.

The inaugural event drew plenty of stars: Gail Devers won the 100-meter hurdles, reigning world champion Maria Mutola took the 800 and Tim Montgomery was here, too.

Though steroid allegations have dogged her, Jones still gets plenty of love from around the world. Cameras flashed and the fans got to their feet when Jones made her way to the starting blocks. She won going away over Aleen Bailey of Jamaica (11.19).

After Jones won the long jump in 22 feet, 1 1/2 inches (6.74 meters) over an hour later, the crowd cheered again.

Montgomery had less success in the 100 than his girlfriend, Jones. American Darvis Patton won in a photo finish over countryman John Capel after lunging his head forward at the finish line. Patton took the race in 10.12, 0.01 ahead of Capel.

Montgomery, who holds the world record in the 100, was fourth in 10.25 and didn't talk to reporters. His results so far this season have been a little disappointing.

Patton, the 2003 U.S. outdoor champion in the 200, was pleased with his finish. ``I'm not as well known as other guys like Montgomery and Capel,'' Patton said. ``I'm just trying to make a name for myself, trying to do well at meets like these and in Europe. So by the time the Olympics come around, I'll be in good form.''

Gail Devers won the 100 hurdles in 12.50. But the world's premier hurdler hasn't committed yet to competing in the U.S. Olympic trials, slated for July. Olympic gold in the hurdles is the only thing missing from the resume of the 37-year-old, who won gold in the 100 in 1992 and 1996.

In other events, world indoor champion Savante Stringfellow continued his hot streak, winning the long jump with a leap of 25-7 1/2 (7.81 metres). Stringfellow has emerged as the man to beat in the event heading into the Olympics.

Mutola won the 800 in 2:00.38, outdistancing American Hazel Clark, who finished in 2:01.46. Clark's sister-in-law, Jearl Miles-Clark, won the 400 in 51.50. American Coby Miller won the 200 in 20.53 after Jamaican sensation Usain Bolt pulled out with a hamstring injury.

The results: Men: 100m: 1. Darvis Patton (U.S.) 10.12s, 2. John Capel (U.S.), 3. Deji Aliu (Nig). 400m: 1. Davian Clarke (Jam) 45.50, 2. Derrick Brew (U.S.), 3. Michael McDonald (Jam). 800m:

1. Zach Whitmarsh (U.S.) 1:47.11, 2. Simon Kimata (Ken), 3. Evon Allen (Jam). 1,500m: 1. Eliud Njubi (Ken) 3:41.10, 2. Seneca Lassiter (U.S.), 3. Daniel Wilson (U.S.). 110m hurdles: 1. Ron Bramlett (U.S.) 13.58, 2. Christopher Pinnock (Jam), 3. Ryan Wilson (U.S.). 400m hurdles: 1. Labronze Garnett (U.S.) 48.76, 2. Danny McFarlane (Jam), 3. Kemel Thompson (Jam). Long Jump: 1. Savante Stringfellow (U.S.) 7.81m, 2. Eric Walder (U.S.), 3. Brian Thomas (Gre). High Jump: 1. Mark Boswell (Can) 2.27m, 2. Matt Hemingway (U.S.), 2. Nathan Leeper (U.S.).

Women: 100m: 1. Marion Jones (U.S.) 11.04s, 2. Aleen Bailey (Jam), 3. Tayna Lawrence (Jam). 400m: 1. Jearl Miles-Clark (U.S.) 51.50, 2. Monique Hennagan (U.S.), 3. Kia Davis (U.S.). 800m:

1. Maria Mutola (Moz) 2:00.38, 2. Hazel Clark (U.S.), 3. Michelle Ballentine (Jam). 1,500m: 1. Eliud Njubi (Ken) 3:41.10, 2. Seneca Lassiter (U.S.), 3. Daniel Wilson (U.S.). 100m hurdles: 1. Gail Devers (U.S.) 12.50, 2. Delloreen Ennis-London (Jam), 3. Lacena Golding-Clarke (Jam). Long Jump: 1. Marion Jones (U.S.) 6.74m, 2. Brianna Glenn (U.S.), 3. Tameisha King (U.S.). — AP

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