Track and Field
Notebook: Beleaguered Jones advances in 100

By The Associated Press

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Everything has changed for Marion Jones.

The three-time Olympic champion finished second in her quarterfinal heat of the women's 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials last night, good enough to advance to today's semifinal but far from her dominating form of past years.

Jones began her bid for a spot on the U.S. squad for the Athens Games by finishing behind LaTasha Colander in the opening heat. Jones, who dominated the event in the late 1990s and is the reigning Olympic champion, finished in 11.38 seconds — seventh fastest out of 24 competitors.

Jones, who remains under investigation by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, is known for her radiant smile and bubbly personality. But she remained serious throughout and after last night's race, and left the track without saying a word to fans or reporters.

Also qualifying for the semifinals was Chryste Gaines, who faces a lifetime ban after being charged with steroid use.

The fastest quarterfinal time (11.13) was turned in by NCAA champion Lauryn Williams, a senior-to-be at Miami.

When Jones last visited Sacramento, for the 2000 Olympic trials, she began her quest for a record five gold medals at the Sydney Games by winning her quarterfinal heat in 10.92. She routinely won races by large margins in those days.

Now, she is dogged by allegations of drug use — though she repeatedly has denied using performance-enhancing substances.

"She isn't at the point where she was in previous years," said Inger Miller, the 1999 world champion and second fastest in the quarterfinals last night with a time of 11.28. "It's yet to be seen where she is."

In yesterday's only final, Meb Keflezighi won the men's 10,000 in 27:36.49. Abdi Abdirahman was second and Daniel Browne was third.
 

Notes

• Erica Wheeler of Sequim finished fourth in the women's javelin qualifying, and Washington senior Megan Spriestersbach finished tenth. Both advanced to tomorrow's final.

Wheeler, the defending U.S. champion, threw 172 feet, 8 inches. Spriestersbach threw 166-10.

• Ellannee Richardson, a former All-American at Washington State and current assistant coach at the school, advanced to the semifinals of the women's 400 hurdles. Richardson's time of 55.61 was ninth-fastest among the 25 competitors

• Triple jumper Tim Rusan received a public warning after he tested positive for a banned substance at a May 16 meet in Brazil, the USADA said.

• A federal judge in San Francisco rejected the USADA's bid to review sealed testimony of top sprinters questioned during a federal probe into an alleged steroid ring.

The USADA wants to review the grand-jury testimony of Tim Montgomery, Gaines, Michelle Collins and Alvin Harrison — all charged by the agency with using performance-enhancing drugs.