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Monday, September 25
Jones now must race under scandal's shadow
Associated Press
SYDNEY, Australia -- Marion Jones remains the story of the
Sydney Olympics. But it appears at this time to be pretty far from the story she wanted to tell.
|  | | Marion Jones already has one gold, but controversy could make it harder to add more. |
What was to have been a joyous quest for five Olympic gold
medals barely has begun, and now she must deal with the issue of
performance-enhancing drugs, the ugly underbelly of track and
field.
The disclosure that her husband, shot putter C.J. Hunter, tested
positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone, creates a major
distraction in a sport where even a little trash-talking can throw
a runner off stride.
"I think it's tragic. I think it's very sad," said Kim Batten,
the 1996 silver medalist in the 400-meter hurdles who was
eliminated in Monday night's semifinals. "`I hope it doesn't
affect Marion. It's tough no matter how you look at it for her. I'm
sorry for her. It's a major event in her life."
This will be the ultimate test for a 24-year-old woman whose
charm and poise mask an unmatched self-confidence and drive.
"The challenge that Marion Jones was facing, a real athletic
challenge, has only been enhanced by all the developments here thus
far," said Craig Masback, chief executive officer of USA Track &
Field.
There have been no reports linking Jones to use of banned
performance enhancers. Only time will tell if all she accomplishes
in Sydney is somehow overshadowed by her husband's doping case.
In the past, about the only negative publicity Jones has dealt
with was criticism of her long jump style. Even the International
Amateur Athletics Federation, which broke the news of Hunter's
test, seemed sorry for the impact it would have on Jones.
"I regret that this news is breaking when Marion Jones is
running," said Istvan Gyulai, general secretary of the IAAF.
"It's terrible whether it's true or not. It has nothing to do with
the Olympics."
Jones had vowed to enjoy this, her first Olympics, as the
culmination of a lifelong goal. Nearly two years ago, she publicly
set her sights on five golds, something only one Olympic track and
field athlete has accomplished. Paavo Nurmi of Finland did it in
Paris in 1924.
There was no way of knowing what Jones was thinking. After her
blowout victory in the 100 meters Saturday, she planned to relax
for a day, then zero in on the long jump and 200. Preliminaries in
both events are scheduled for Wednesday, and Jones figures to be
competing every day after that through Saturday's finals in the
400- and 1,600-meter relays.
Hunter is a big part of Jones' support group. He was an
assistant coach at North Carolina when he met Jones, who was a
student there.
Although extremely gruff in public, Hunter is described by Jones
as "a big teddy bear."
When Jones won the 100, Hunter was in the media area talking
with reporters.
The U.S. Olympic Committee said Hunter, who qualified for the
team but pulled out with a knee injury, had retained his athlete's
credential "in an oversight."
That credential will be withdrawn on Tuesday, USOC spokesman
Mike Moran said, and replaced with support staff credentials and
tickets that would allow him to continue to be with Jones in
training and at Olympic Stadium.
"We don't want to do anything that will upset Marion's
emotional support," Moran said.
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ALSO SEE
USA Track & Field, Hunter under fire for doping cover-ups
IAAF confirms Hunter tested positive for steroids
IOC chief accuses U.S. track of drug cover-up
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