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Sprinter Jones set sights on long jump
Marion Jones had won 5 Olympic medals in Sydney but the US sprinter will not be defending her sprint titles in Athens.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:08 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Athens:
Marion Jones had won 5 Olympic medals in Sydney but the US sprinter will not be defending her sprint titles in Athens. Four years ago, Jones sprinted her way into Olympic history by winning a record five medals, including three golds, at the 2000 Games in Sydney. She began with this phenomenal run in the 100m finals to win the gold in 10.75 seconds, finishing 0.37 seconds ahead of Ekaterini Thanou of Greece. It was the second largest winning margin in the event's history. Then she went onto win 2 more golds in the 200 m and 1600 m relay. But much has changed for the world's fastest woman in four years, including the end of her marriage to American shot putter CJ Hunter, and a new relationship with 100m world record-holder Tim Montgomery, and the birth of their son. But off late Jones has been accused of doping, a charge she has repeatedly denied. But for Jones the lead up to Athens has been under the shadow of the drug charges and the failure to qualify in her main event - the 100m - finishing a surprising fifth at the US Trials. But she could still end up defending her 100m title if Gail Devers opts out for the 110 m hurdles The Golden Girl of athletics though will get a shot at an individual gold in the long jump even though it is considered to be her weakest event. She qualified for the long jump event by jumping 7.11 m - her longest jump since 1998.Topics mentioned in this article
Athletics
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