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Stop writing off Jones She remains a great champion, ambassador
EDMONTON, Alberta -- Yes, Marion Jones' winning time in the 200 meters Friday night was absurdly slow. The 22.39 that won a gold medal here wouldn't even have gotten her on the medal stand in six of the seven previous world championships. But it was also a gritty race for someone who is clearly not as sharp as she was when she won five medals in Sydney. Jones got out well Friday and had a good two meters on the field at the curve. But she began to tie up as she huffed her way through the next 70 meters. Debbie Ferguson of Jamaica had closed to just over Jones' left shoulder when Jones seemed to find another gear to hold her off. That gave Jones her first world title at 200 meters. "The problem is that over the last few years I've really spoiled people," she said. "If I wasn't winning by five, six meters, there was a problem. But now the races are getting tougher." Jones handled this particular race with the aplomb she has needed for the scrutiny of her performances and her personal life. When asked earlier this week if she would be bitter if the U.S. coaches left her off the 4x100-meter relay squad this weekend, she refused to bite. She was quick to congratulate Zhanna Pintusevich-Block after the Ukrainian outraced her to win the 100. Friday, Jones won the 200 at roughly the same time Russia's Tatyana Lebedeva won the triple jump. As the two champions were running victory laps in opposite directions, Jones began clapping for Lebedeva and invited her to share the last part of Jones' victory lap. Most of all, Jones has not complained when asked about her recent split with C.J. Hunter. She has politely declined to offer details. Even if she remains the world's best for several years, we may have lost the dominant Marion Jones who could run people off the track at will. But she is still the sport's preeminent superstar.
Canada continues futile performancesWoe, Canada. Another one of the host country's medal hopes failed badly Friday. Kevin Sullivan placed a disappointing ninth in the semifinals of the 1,500 meters; only six advanced to the final. Sullivan was fifth at the Sydney Games and has shown great promise over the past few years. But Friday the pack pulled away from him without much resistance. It has been a baffling championship for the hosts. High jumpers Mark Boswell and Kwaku Boateng cleared no better than 2.25 meters, finishing seventh and ninth (based on misses). Boswell's showing was Canada's best so far. Discus thrower Jason Tunks made the final 12 but couldn't advance to the group of eight that received a full complement of six throws. Tunks called his performance "ridiculous." As a reminder of the country's past glories, sprinter Donovan Bailey took a goodbye lap after being eliminated in the 100-meter semifinals. On the other hand, Bruny Surin, Bailey's teammate on the quartet that won relay gold at the Atlanta Olympics, was rolled off in a wheelchair after pulling up in his semi. Only once before has the host nation failed to win at least two medals at the outdoor world championship; Sweden managed just a pair of fifth-place showings in 1995 in Goteberg.
El Guerrouj not yet the bestHere's an observation that defies the résumé. Sebastian Coe, the great British miler, was asked for some historical perspective on Hicham El Guerrouj, the Moroccan who is now acknowledged as the world's best at that distance. "He's the greatest 1,500-meter runner of all time," Coe said Friday night. "Obviously, there's no question about that. His performance in major championships is outstanding." Hmm, not quite. El Guerrouj has won the last two world titles at 1,500 meters, but his Olympic showings don't measure up to, for instance, two-time Olympic champion Coe. El Guerrouj missed a medal after falling at the '96 Games in Atlanta and finished second to Kenya's Noah Ngeny at the 2000 Games in Sydney. El Guerrouj breezed Friday in winning his 1,500 semi in 3:39.54, but he'll be pressed in Sunday's final by Kenya's Bernard Lagat. El Guerrouj will need at least a third title before moving into the class that Coe has generously placed him.
Sports Illustrated staff writer Brian Cazeneuve covers Olympic sports for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
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