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Jones looks forward to New York test

Posted on: Friday, 2 June 2006, 16:36 CDT

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former Olympic sprint champion Marion Jones's comeback is on track and she is looking forward to testing herself against an elite field at Saturday's New York grand prix.

The 30-year-old Jones, who has won races in Mexico and the Netherlands following her return to the track after an 11-month absence, will be running the 100 metres in a field that includes world champion Lauryn Williams and silver-medallist Veronica Campbell.

Jones, winner of three Olympic golds at the 2000 Sydney Games, decided at the last minute to leave Europe and enter the meeting, which is a short flight from her North Carolina home.

"I have a three-year-old son now," Jones told a news conference on Friday. "It's important for me not to be away from him for too long. My priorities have changed."

Her desire to compete and win have remained strong despite injuries, upheaval in her personal life and suspicion over possible doping violations.

"I want to go out there and run fast. I'm excited about it because I know I will be pushed," she said.

"I feel like I'm ready. I wouldn't show up if I didn't think I could win."

Jones has been under investigation by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in connection with the BALCO doping scandal, but has never been charged.

She has repeatedly denied using performance-enhancing drugs and never failed a dope test.

Jones has not run up to her high standards since having a child with former sprint champion Tim Montgomery in 2003. She and Montgomery separated last year.

Montgomery was banned from competition in December for doping and has been recently indicted on federal bank fraud charges, along with Jones's coach Steve Riddick. Both men have said they are innocent of the charges.

RUN FAST

"In a perfect world I could click my heels and make it all disappear and focus on what I love to do," Jones said. "People will say whatever, and think whatever, and I can't spend too much time being concerned with that.

"I have to live my life. I want to be happy, I want to run fast, I want to compete and train and be the best mother possible. Life doesn't stop because of all that."

Jones said it has been hard staying the course, yet now she feels she is turning the corner.

"It's been really difficult. I think that has shown in my times and performances. I'm not a superwoman. I'm human. Things affect me."

"Now I've got the injuries cleared up. My son is thriving now, I'm really happy with my training. You can't control all the exterior forces.

"I'm kind of seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Things can only get better."

Campbell, the 2004 Olympic 200 metres champion, said she is not worried about having Jones to contend with.

"Marion has accomplished a lot over the years, but it's history now," said the 24-year-old Jamaican. "My concentration is on what I'm doing, not on any one individual in the race.

"I'm very confident. Anybody that wins the race will have to run a really good time."

Source: REUTERS

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