Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

Jones claims 'public opinion is on my side'

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Marion Jones came to Jamaica to test herself in the 100 meters and long jump.

But no matter where she goes, the five-time Olympic champion has to deal with questions about BALCO and steroids. They came again Thursday at a news conference promoting the Jamaica International Invitational.

"It's quite obvious that public opinion is on my side," Jones said. "My agent and my manager have had plenty of calls from meets all over the world wanting to see me compete, and the meet directors don't have any doubt that I'm a drug-free athlete and still want to invite me to their meets."

Despite what Jones and her agent, Charley Wells, are saying, some meet directors are not happy about the investigation. Organizers of the elite European Golden League series want to hold off negotiating a collective deal with Jones and boyfriend Tim Montgomery until they know more about the BALCO inquiries. But Wells said Jones and Montgomery never intended to run all six Golden League meets because they will conflict with training for the U.S. Olympic trials.

If their popularity in Jamaica is any indication, Jones and Montgomery are still in demand despite the accusations. Two weeks ago, a news report said a $7,350 check from Jones' bank account was written to BALCO founder Victor Conte. Jones said she had no knowledge of the check.

Meanwhile, the Senate agreed to release to Olympic officials and anti-drug monitors evidence a committee has collected on banned performance-enhancing drug use among athletes.

Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones galloped an encouraging 11/2 miles at Philadelphia Park in preparation for the May 15 Preakness Stakes. Trainer John Servis intends to run Smarty Jones in the Preakness, but said today's gallop is critical because it will give the trainer a better idea how well his colt came out of Saturday's Derby. If Smarty Jones is not training as well as he did before the Derby, Servis has said he won't hesitate to skip the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown.

RATINGS: About 17-million people watched the Kentucky Derby, the second-largest audience since 19-million tuned in for the 1992 Derby. About 18-million watched Monarchos win the Derby in 2001. NBC's coverage drew a 7.4 national rating, a 16 percent increase over last year when Funny Cide won. The rating is the percentage of all homes with TVs, whether or not they are in use.

When Roger Bannister threw himself across the finish line 50 years ago, he did more than break the four-minute mile. His achievement transcended sports, accomplishing what many people thought was impossible. Now a lanky 75-year-old grandfather, Bannister returned to the track at Oxford's Iffley Road in honor of the anniversary of his unforgettable run May 6, 1954.

With guards wearing bowler hats and music by Handel piped over the loudspeakers, a throwback to another era, about 1,500 fans were on hand as the retired neurologist spoke modestly of his then-record time of 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds. "I never thought fame was particularly helpful or healthy as an experience because I knew that it was frail," Bannister said. "I always knew that running was a very small part of me. None of my athletics was the greatest achievement. My medical work has been my achievement and my family with 14 grandchildren. Those are real achievements."

Venus Williams overwhelmed Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi 6-3, 6-1 in the third round of the German Open in Berlin, showing the full range of her power game. The third-seeded Williams ran her win streak to 13 matches. The tournament's top seed, Kim Clijsters, withdrew with a recurring left wrist injury that could force her to miss the French Open, which begins May 24. Several other top players won, including No. 2 seed Amelie Mauresmo, No. 4 Anastasia Myskina and No. 6 Jennifer Capriati of Saddlebrook.

ITALIAN OPEN: Marat Safin, Lleyton Hewitt and Tim Henman joined the long list of top players leaving the clay-court event in Rome. Safin lost 7-5, 6-4 to eighth-seeded Nicolas Massu in his second match of the day, former No. 1 Hewitt fell 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Andrei Pavel, and fourth-seeded Henman was eliminated 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 by Mariano Zabaleta. The Open's top-seeded trio of Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Rainer Schuettler lost earlier in the week.

DIVING: Olympic champion Laura Wilkinson teamed with Kimiko Soldati to win silver in the synchronized women's platform in the Grand Prix at Houston. China's Lao Lishi and Li Ting won. Olympian Troy Dumais and brother Justin won the men's.