Vital stats
Age: 28
Height/weight: 5-9, 145 lbs.
Lives in: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Today’s event
Women’s long jump is on NBC between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Day job
She trains and competes year-round.
Olympic experience
She won five medals (three gold) at the 2000 Olympics.
Background
It’s been a rough time for Jones, who has been dogged by doping accusations. Her ex-husband told U.S. federal investigators that she took banned performance-enhancing drugs at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and she has been implicated in the BALCO investigation. Jones has denied ever receiving banned substances from BALCO.
Check it out
At belizeans.com/mjones.htm, Belizeans honor their favorite sprinter. Jones’ mother is from Belize.
Early days
Jones grew up in California and set national records for women when she was still in high school. After a year off due to pregnancy, Jones returned to competition earlier this year.
Did you know?
She played point guard on a national championship college basketball team at North Carolina.
Post-Olympic star potential
The ’00 Olympics darling, two events won’t cut it. Star power: 4 out of 10.
In the booth Track broadcast team (for HDTV broadcasts)
Matt Devlin: He was recently named as the NBA Charlotte Bobcats’ TV announcer.
Dan O’Brien: He won gold in the decathlon at the 1996 Olympics and now works as a motivational speaker.
2000 medalists
Women’s long jump
Gold: Heike Drechsler, Germany
Silver: Fiona May, Italy
Bronze: Marion Jones, U.S.
