Jones completes sprint double
Marion Jones put controversy out of her head for 21.84 seconds on Thursday
to complete the second stage of her historic quest for five Olympic gold,
comfortably winning the women's 200 metres at the Sydney Games.
Jones, a tall former basketball player, looked relaxed before the start.
When the stadium announcer made a mistake and introduced her as an athlete
from the Bahamas, she shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
The run was as composed and relaxed as the pre-race body language. It was
textbook sprinting - smooth and controlled.
The only difference to her 100 metres triumph last weekend was that this
time there were no tears and wild celebrations - just a smile and a look
of relief.
"I feel relief and excitement," Jones said. "I'm happy that I have got my
sprints done. Now I can really concentrate on my challenges ahead. That is
the long jump tomorrow.
"That is my real test tomorrow. I am going to have to dig down deep. I
need to do that."
Australia's Cathy Freeman, who set the hearts of a whole nation racing
when she won the 400 metres on Monday, failed to make an impact, finishing
back in seventh in 22.53.