No medals for Marion in Athens
2004 will not be remembered as a great year by Marion Jones. Under investigation for drug violations by the U.S. anti doping agency, the Belizean-American today failed twice to win medals in the Athens Olympics. In the long jump Marion finished fifth, fouling on two attempts and reaching a best distance of six point eight five metres. But the real heartbreak came in the four-by-one hundred relay. Jones, running the second leg, burned up the track for the U.S. team, but team-mate Lauryn Williams left too early for the baton pass and Marion could not get it into her hand within the passing zone. Here’s how Lance Whitaker called the race for the Caribbean Media Corporation.
CMC Sportscaster
“Nervous moment here for two strong Caribbean teams: Bahamas and Jamaica. For the United States is Angela Williams starting off for them, Marion Jones on the back stretch, Lauryn Williams, silver medallist for the one hundred meters and LaTasha Collander, that?s the United States team and they are focus on them because they have been labelled favourites here coming from their very impressive victory in their semi-final yesterday with 41.67. Bahamas in three, Jamaica in four, U.S.A. in five this is how they will start up. The English speaking Caribbean looking for medals here. The U.S.A. were on a four win streak Olympics until the Bahamas ended this run in Sydney…Tina Lawrence gets up very well for Jamaica. The United States is running well with Angela Williams. Angela Williams holding her own. Tina Lawrence hands over there to Sharon Simpson for Jamaica. Marion Jones burning up the track on the back stretch–Sharon Simpson looks to be closing a little bit on Marion Jones. The U.S.A. ahead; Jamaica right there with them Enid Bailey on the third leg for the Jamaicans. The United States are in the trouble and the Jamaicans are ahead. Russia tries to chase Veronica Campbell ending up for the Jamaicans. Veronica Campbell, the two hundred metre champion, is carrying the Jamaicans to gold. In the four-by-one-hundred?Jamaica (record time score) 41.74. The first time in the history of the Olympic Games and that the English-speaking Caribbean has won more than two gold medals. They won two in 1952 and here they are winning three now at the Athens games. The Jamaicans celebrate a famous victory. The Americans messed up their baton changing on the final leg and that propels the Jamaicans to the front…the Jamaicans jubilant.”
While Belizeans were rooting hard for Marion Jones, we must admit that if she had to lose, we’re happy it was to the Jamaicans. Channel 5’s live coverage of the Olympics continues over the weekend, beginning at twelve fifteen in the afternoon on both Saturday and Sunday.
