Marion will long jump in Athens

She was disappointed in her attempt to qualify for the hundred-meter sprint at next month’s Olympics…but last night Belizean Marion Jones was guaranteed a ticket to Athens. She reverted to top form by finishing first in the long jump in the U.S. qualifying meet in Sacramento, California. Here’s how she did on her best jump of the night.

U.S.A. Network Announcer

?It?s now Marion Jones, leading the competition at twenty-two three and three-thirds quarters (as shown on screen: 1st Round: 22-3¾). Made a nice adjustment to the wind that was blowing in her back on the first round, much more aggressive on the runway, more instructions by Coach Kirk Sampath–And Jones gets a good pace on the on the board of that plummet. That looks to be over twenty-three feet for Marion and still not much change of expression. Twenty-three feet four inches for Marion Jones (as shown on screen 2nd Round: 23-4) as the second best jump in the world this year. And her best just by far since 1998; look how high her knees are, upright posture with her upper body and she was much more straight up and down at the board on that jump and any jump that I?ve seen of her all year long, very much more aggressive, shortens that last strike and nice, nice vertical off that board there. First time she?s really hit the board solidly and the fine jump she?s taken there at the drough, she?s got all that one; about three quarters of an inch on the board.?

Jones won the bronze in this event in Sydney in 2000. She will compete tonight seeking to qualify for the two hundred meter event in Athens.