World champion shot putter is happy in the background

By JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 4, 2000

He is the defending world champion in the shot put and, ever so slowly, has crept nearer the world record. He also is one of the more reticent athletes in track and field, so when he sits in front of reporters for a briefing, the questions come quickly.

Are five gold medals a reality for Marion Jones?

Is she struggling with the long jump?

What would you say are Marion's best qualities?

What do you think of her commercials?

Meet C.J. Hunter, track and field's very own Mr. Jones.

If Hunter wins a gold medal at the Summer Games, it still will not make him as prominent as a certain gold wedding band.

Married 20 months ago to the world's most popular female track and field star, Hunter is far more famous today than he was as a member of the United States Olympic team in 1996.

"Obviously people focus more on her than me and that's fine," Hunter said. "The less focus on me, the better."

Hunter, 31, says he is naturally reserved, so standing outside of his wife's spotlight does not seem to cause him duress. If anything, her fame has made him more recognizable than he would like.

"I'm not trying to hide anything. If I don't have anything to say, I don't say it," Hunter said. "Everybody wants you to speak all the time. That's not me."

This is a policy that Hunter upholds faithfully. Asked about the destination on a recent vacation with Jones, he says only that they had fun. Asked of his emotions after winning the world championship, he says the answer is fairly obvious. Asked how he and Jones met, he gives what he calls the 10-second answer about meeting while training in North Carolina.

"We've never actually told anybody how we met," Hunter said. "We tell you just enough for you to say, "Okay,' and move on to the next question.

"It's actually kind of fun."

Even if he appears non-plussed by it, the curiousity regarding his marriage does Hunter's career a disservice.

He is a three-time national champion and has won gold and bronze at the past two World Championships.

Hunter had high aspirations heading toward Atlanta in '96, but was sidetracked by an injury. He tweaked a hamstring muscle while warming up for the '96 Olympic trials, potentially ending his shot before ever getting it. He made one throw at the trials, good enough to qualify for the team, and then shut it down.

He was fully healthy by the time he reached Atlanta, but the lengthy recuperation had cut into his training. He finished seventh at the '96 Games.

A switch in coaches and techniques led to his best season and a No. 1 world ranking in 1999.

Hunter has his eyes set on Australia this summer and perhaps a run at Randy Barnes' world record of 75-10.25 next year (Hunter's best is 71-6) before retiring at the end of 2001.

"It's fun and I love it, but I want to start watching," Hunter said. "I go to these great meets all over the world, and I miss them because I'm competing. I want to see some meets."

And perhaps cheer on a friend.

VISA APPROVED: Boxer Michael Bennett has been granted permission from the Australian government to travel to Sydney for the Olympics.

Bennett served seven years for armed robbery and Australia immigration officials could have refused to allow him in the country because of his criminal record.

"I was floating when I heard it. I was flying," Bennett said.

"I went around all day with a smile on my face saying, "I'm going to Sydney, I'm going to Sydney.' "

KEEP TRYING: It took three sports and a dozen years, but Joanna Zeiger is finally going to the Olympics.

Zeiger, who is getting her Ph.D. in genetic epidemiology at Johns Hopkins, had failed to qualify in Olympic trials for swimming and the marathon. She made it last week in the triathlon.

TROP TALK: Not only is gymnastics on the schedule for Tropicana Field under Florida 2012 plans, but so is basketball.

OMINOUS TONE: Bela Karolyi has spoken glowingly about Shannon Miller's presence in the gym and says fellow '96 Olympic gymnastics teammates Amy Chow and Jaycie Phelps could also make the team this summer. He does not seem nearly as encouraged by Dominique Moceanu.

"The kid is not working," Karolyi was quoted by the Boston Globe. "She's trying to get by on shortcuts."

-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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