Jones makes team with long jump win
SACRAMENTO -- Battling subpar performances and off-the-track distractions, 2000 Olympic triple gold medalist Marion Jones staged one of her best performances last night at the US Olympic Track and Field Trials, winning the long jump with a leap of 23 feet 4 inches to qualify for next month's Summer Games in Athens.
Jones, who failed to secure a spot in the Olympics when she faltered to a fifth-place finish in last Saturday's 100-meter final, then struggled in long jump qualifying Tuesday, finishing seventh, looked more like her old self in winning the long jump final.
The 2000 Olympic long jump bronze medalist, who has refused to speak to reporters while facing allegations she has used performance-enhancing drugs, appeared poised, as she has throughout the trials. She seemed to be inspired by a crowd that cheered her throughout.
Joining Jones on America's long jump team were Grace Upshaw, who earned a berth with a jump of 22-5, and Akiba McKinney, who took third with a leap of 21-6 3/4. McKinney still must qualify for the Games by jumping an Olympic-standard 21-11 3/4. She has until Aug. 9 to do so.
Jones's efforts to return to the Olympics a year after giving birth have been overshadowed by allegations she took stimulants (a charge she denies) and the efforts of the US Anti-Doping Agency to prove the athlete that is arguably its most vocal critic is guilty.
She had shown little emotion in her time here. After last night's event, Jones bowed and waved to the crowd of 20,758 and then spoke over the public address system.
"I think I had just a little bit of motivation," said Jones. "I'm so happy. It feels really good. I had fun out there. So many people told me, `Marion have fun,' and I'm very happy to get it together."
Jones, who was sobbing toward the end of her comments, opted not to speak to reporters. USA Track and Field director of communications Jill Geer said Jones may speak to the media after competing in the 200 meters, scheduled for today, tomorrow, and Sunday.
On Wednesday, former Olympic heptathlon gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee observed that Jones was not hitting the long jump takeoff board correctly, and on some occasions was not hitting the board at all. Nothing doing last night. On her first attempt, Jones planted well on the takeoff board and jumped 22-3, which would have been good enough for first place. On her second attempt, Jones leaped 23-4, the second-best mark in the world this year.
Between jumps, Jones made repeated trips to see coach Dan Pfaff, who during one exchange told her to "just read the wind." Her remaining jumps weren't as good, but they didn't need to be.
"She's a competitor, there was no doubt in my mind that she would do amazing," said Upshaw, who embraced Jones after the event.
McKinney agreed, saying, "I knew she was going to do something big."
Upshaw said she is pleased the event is over and she can focus on the Athens Games. "I definitely feel I have more in me, but right now I'm pretty consistent," she said. "I feel the most fit in my life. Tonight was more about keeping my nerves and emotions together, and I did that."
Failing to make the team was 2004 US indoor champion Tameisha King, who finished sixth.
