Jones cleared of doping, 'B' sample negative

Gene CHERRY

ATHLETICS: Former triple Olympic champion Marion Jones was cleared of doping on Wednesday after her 'B' sample tested negative for the banned blood-boosting drug EPO.

Jones's initial sample had tested positive for erythropoietin at the U.S. championships in Indianapolis in June. Had the second sample tested positive, the 30-year-old would have faced a two-year ban from the sport.

"I am absolutely ecstatic," Jones said in a statement issued by her lawyer. "I have always maintained that I have never ever taken performance enhancing drugs, and I am pleased that a scientific process has now demonstrated that fact."

"I am anxious to get back on the track."

Howard Jacobs, the expert lawyer who represented Jones was also pleased with the result.

"The scientific part of the testing protocols worked, but it is unfortunate that because of the 'leak' of the 'A' sample results, Marion was wrongfully accused of a doping violation and her reputation was unfairly questioned", Jacobs said.

"The 'B' sample did not confirm the 'A' positive result and Marion is now free to compete", he continued.

Jones has repeatedly denied taking performance-enhancing substances and had never previously failed a doping test.

She won five Olympic medals at the 2000 Sydney Games, including golds in the 100 and 200 metres and 4x400 metres relay.

Jones dominated sprinting in the late 1990s and early this decade while coached by Trevor Graham, who is currently under investigation by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and USADA.

She had performed poorly since having a son with disgraced former 100 metres world record holder Tim Montgomery in 2003, but was making a comeback this year.

Jones won the U.S. 100 metres championship in 11.10 seconds on June 23 and was first in several races in Europe this season.

She has three of the five fastest times in the world this year with a best of 10.91 seconds to rank second overall behind Jamaica's Sherone Simpson.

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Thursday (Reuters)