Jones shoots for 2nd gold

Sprinter takes aim at 200 meters; O'Brien to defend decathlon title

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Monday July 20, 1998 03:20 PM

Jones won the 100, 200 and long jump at last month's U.S. National Championships (AP)

NEW YORK (CNN/SI) -- Marion Jones goes for gold in the 200 meters and Dan O'Brien tries to defend his decathlon title as the Goodwill Games continue Monday in New York.

In addition to track and field, Monday's competition also includes the all-around in men's gymnastics and the United States facing China in men's basketball.

Jones, who has become a dominant force in women's track and field, continued her success by winning the 100 in 10.90 seconds Sunday night, well off the world record but still a best for the Goodwill Games.

Jones won the 100, 200 and long jump at last month's U.S. National Championships, a feat last achieved in a women's competition 50 years ago. Jones had competed in a combined 25 outdoor competitions in the 100, 200 and long jump in 1998 and has won them all.

O'Brien, the world record-holder and defending Olympic and Goodwill Games champion, was second behind fellow American Chris Huffins after the first five events of the decathlon on Sunday.

"My overall fitness and technique is good," said O'Brien, who is battling through injuries. "I have a problem with my ankle that's lingering and my left hamstring is bothering me a little. I think I can still score some points [Monday]. Who knows?"

The best of the track events likely will be Tuesday night in the men's 100. Canada's Donovan Bailey, the world record-holder, and American Maurice Greene, the 1997 world champion who is on the verge of becoming track's next superstar, are the marquee competitors.

The men take the stage in gymnastics Monday night at the Nassau Coliseum one night after Dominique Moceanu, competing in her first major meet of the year, became the first non-Russian gymnast to win a gold medal in the Goodwill Games women's individual all-around, jumping out ahead in the first apparatus -- the uneven bars -- and holding on to win with a combined score of 38.662.

Moceanu, who has battled assorted injuries since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, finished ahead of Romanians Maria Olaru and Simona Amanar, the silver and bronze medalists.

The men's competition will feature two-time world all-around champion Ivan Ivankov of Belarus, world and Olympic champion Alexei Namov of Russia and Huang Xu of China.

In basketball, the U.S. tries to bounce back after squandering a 19-point halftime deficit in an 84-76 loss to Puerto Rico Sunday at Madison Square Garden. China was a 75-60 loser to Brazil on Sunday.

Eddie Casiano, a sharpshooter who played high-school ball in the basketball-mad state of Indiana, scored 26 of his 31 points in the second half Sunday for Puerto Rico, which plays Brazil tonight.

Sunday's loss dealt the U.S. another blow in the international competition of the Goodwill Games. In 1994 at St. Petersburg, Russia, the U.S. lost its second game to Russia en route to a third-place finish. The same happened during the 1990 Games in Seattle before the Americans rebounded to capture the silver medal.

The Goodwill Games, started by Ted Turner in 1986, conclude August 2nd. They feature just 15 sports -- down from 24 in 1994 -- but with an impressive roster of 1,500 athletes from 60 nations.  

Related information
Stories
Moceanu claims first major all-around victory Jones wins 9th straight 100, Boldon blazes in 200 Goodwill Games TV Schedule Athlete Profile: Maria Mutola
Multimedia
Click here for the latest audio and video
Message Boards
Can Jones be beaten? Talk about the Goodwill Games on the CNN/SI Message Board! Join the discussion
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.

© 2003 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP