PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, 25 April 2004 — Sprint star Marion Jones will try to put a disappointing outdoor season debut behind her as she lines up for the United States in two relays at the Penn Relays meeting.
Jones will race in the 4x100 meters and 4x200m relays in the USA vs. Rest of the World series that is the international highlight of the meeting.
Her focus on the 100m and 200m is part of a decision to focus on recapturing her speed as she takes aim at the Athens Olympics in the wake of the birth of her first child last June.
“Last time I ran the 4x400 meters in 2002. The reason I’m focusing on shorter relay distances is to focus on my speed and get back with the women I’m comfortable with and get ready for Athens,” said Jones, who won five Olympic medals in Sydney.
Jones will line up with Inger Miller, Chryste Gaines and Angela Daigle for her second outdoor effort since she returned to competition earlier this year.
Her first outing was at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, California, last Sunday, where she finished a poor fourth in the 200m.
“Since we came back home from Mt. SAC, we’ve been focusing on speed,” Jones said. “Overall I was pleased, and my coach is pleased. We know we’re doing the right thing. We have to realize that when I step on track, people expect great things, not fourth places and I don’t either.
“But considering all the things I’ve been through, we have to go week by week. By the time Sacramento comes, I’ll be ready to run,” added Jones, looking ahead to the US Olympic trials in July.
