MARION'S FLUB COSTS U.S. RELAY MEDAL

By LENN ROBBINS

 

August 28, 2004 -- ATHENS — One exchange of a baton became a microcosm of Marion Jones' year. It began with her out in front of the track world, her career full of promise, and it ended in chaos.

 

After winning multiple golds in 2000, Jones was the most heralded U.S. women's track athlete of her time. A breathtaking sprinter and an explosive leaper, the easy-on-the-eyes Jones was at the peak of her profession.

 

But then the BALCO investigation became the biggest story in sports and Jones was one of the biggest names linked to the San Francisco-based lab that allegedly produced the designer steroid THG. USADA, the dope police for U.S. Olympians, put Jones in its crosshairs.

 

Last night, Jones had one more chance to find salvation on the track when she competed in the finals of the long jump and the 4 x 100 relay. All eyes were on her. All eyes saw a night of promise end in disappointment and question.

 

After finishing fifth in the long jump, Jones took the baton from Angela Williams and was leading the relay as she bore down on Lauryn Williams. Williams began to move. Jones yelled for her to wait.

 

But it was too late. Jones reached for Williams. They couldn't complete the handoff. Suddenly, Williams was out of the exchange zone. The U.S. relay team, which had tied its own world record in Thursday's qualifying, was disqualified.

 

"I'm extremely disappointed," Jones said. "Words can't put it into perspective. When I woke up this morning, this wasn't how I figured the day to end. I can go home now and regroup and get ready for next year."

 

There's no telling what that year will hold for Jones. USADA remains on her tail. Dick Pound, the pompous, self-serving chief of the World Anti-Doping Agency, can't go a month without singling out Jones for ridicule.

 

The last Olympic image we might have of Jones, 28, is of her draping an arm around the forlorn 20-year-old Williams while Angela Williams and LaTasha Colander consoled each other.

 

"The baton didn't get around," Jones said. "I really don't even know what happened. Angela ran a great leg. I thought I ran a good leg. I couldn't get the baton to Lauryn.

 

"It didn't happen today. We came in here as a team, and you know what? We're going to head out of here with our heads held high, knowing we did the best we could today."

 

Jones's best days are likely behind her. She failed to make the 100-meter team, placing fifth in qualifying. The only reason she was on the relay team is that she made the U.S. team in the long jump and when Torri Edwards, who took second in the 100 at the U.S. trials, got a two-year ban for taking an illegal stimulant, Jones was on the relay.

 

"It happens, that's sports," Jones said. "Trust me, we'll be back."