Jones breezes to two wins

CARSON, Calif. -- With a stiff wind behind her, Marion Jones breezed to victories in the 100 meters and long jump yesterday at the Home Depot Invitational.

Olympic champion and former world record-holder Maurice Greene won the men's 100 meters in 9.86 seconds, also wind-aided.

The wind for each of those three events was around 10 miles per hour, more than double the allowable limit.

Jones, who insists she's able to focus on training and competing despite constant questions about the BALCO steroid investigation, was timed in 10.99 seconds in the 100, and took the long jump with a leap of 23 feet 4 3/4 inches.

Jones was among a handful of athletes to testify before a federal grand jury about the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative. The grand jury was looking into the alleged distribution of performance-enhancing drugs to athletes. Jones repeatedly has said she has not used any such substances.

She was pleased with her performances at the Carson meet, but many of the questions she faced afterward again concerned the BALCO case.

The US Anti-Doping Agency agreed earlier this week to meet with Jones so she could answer questions about possible evidence the agency has against her. She also wants the USADA to retest her samples for the designer steroid THG and other banned substances. She said she wants some answers.

"Why are they trying to ban an athlete who has not tested positive for any banned substances? We're wondering why my name is being dragged into this," she said.

Greene, who has endorsed the USADA's campaign to catch and punish athletes who use banned substances, even drew questions about BALCO. His coach, John Smith, confirmed a report that he had met with BALCO owner Victor Conte Jr. in 2001. Greene referred questions to Smith, saying, "My coach can fill you in better than I can. I am for our [USADA] drug system, I love what they're doing, and I'll stand behind them 100 percent."

Smith, however, would not comment further on the meeting or any ties to Conte.

Sydney Olympic bronze medalist Melissa Morrison defeated seven-time national champion Gail Devers in the women's 100-meter hurdles, with a wind-aided time of 12.44. Devers finished in 12.52.