Jones keeps low profile at Olympics
ATHENS, Greece — Four years ago she was the toast of Sydney. All Marion Jones had to do was flash that winning smile, talk about her attempt to win five gold medals in track and field, and hearts around the world melted.
Her face was plastered everywhere, from television and magazine ads to giant billboards. But now, in only one solo event and under the cloud of a drug investigation, Jones has kept a low profile in Athens.
The spotlight is off, and no matter what she does here, it may never find her again.
Jones begins her second Olympics today in the long jump. Qualifying in the 400-meter relay starts Thursday, and Jones is being considered for the team even though she is under investigation by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
Though she has not spoken publicly since her shocking fifth-place finish in the 100 at the Olympic trials last month, Jones’ general counsel, Rich Nichols, released a statement in response to questions from The Associated Press.
“Marion is thrilled to have the honor of going to her second Olympics and to be competing for team USA in Athens so soon after giving birth to her baby,” the statement said. “Marion is 28 and will be going for the gold not only in these Olympics but in future games, as well. She is a fighter, a working mom and a champion.”
After boldly predicting she wanted five gold medals in Sydney, Jones became the story of the games. She ended up with gold in the 100, 200 and the 1,600 relay, and bronze in the long jump and 400 relay – more medals than any female track athlete ever at one Olympics.
Jones was so adored, nothing stuck to her when it was revealed in the middle of the Sydney games that her then-husband, C.J. Hunter, had tested positive for steroids. She stood by her husband, saying “in the coming months, C.J.’s name will be cleared.”
It never was. Hunter gave up his spot on the Olympic team and was banned from the sport for life.
But Jones got more sympathy than questions. She and Hunter divorced, and her popularity skyrocketed. In 2002, she announced she was having a child with boyfriend and fellow sprinter Tim Montgomery.
Her son, Tim Jr., was born in June 2003. Jones took more than a year off before returning in time to make another run at the Olympics.
Then BALCO happened.
Federal officials say the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative distributed steroids to numerous top athletes, in track and other sports. USADA is investigating Jones’ ties to BALCO, but she hasn’t been charged.
Montgomery, however, has been charged with steroid use and faces a lifetime ban if found guilty. And Jones’ ex-husband, C.J. Hunter, reportedly told federal agents he injected Jones with banned substances and saw Jones inject herself with drugs before, during and after the Sydney Games. Jones repeatedly has denied using drugs, and says her ex-husband is lying out of vengeance.