EUGENE, Oregon, 20 June 2004 — Olympic 100 meters champion Maurice Greene says that for the good of athletics US anti-doping officials should make a decision soon on Marion Jones.

While supportive of the US Anti-Doping Agency’s overall policies, Greene told reporters on Friday: “I think they (USADA) should do something and get it over with so our sport can move on”.

Triple Olympic champion Jones has never failed a doping test and has not been charged with any potential doping violation. But she remains under scrutiny by USADA in connection with the BALCO (Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative) doping scandal.

Jones and her attorneys have repeatedly demanded USADA ends its investigation of the athlete, something USADA has declined to do.

Greene, speaking on the eve of the Prefontaine Classic grand prix meeting, said the BALCO scandal had cast “a dark cloud over track and field”.

“Basically the whole state of track anda field is getting accused. That’s why I continue to go out there and run fast ... to take away the dark cloud,” said Greene, the favorite to retain his 100m title at the Athens Olympics in August.

Four-time world hurdles champion Allen Johnson also said he believed it was time for something to happen in the Jones investigation.

But he expressed concern USADA may suspend athletes for doping violations who have never tested positive.

“Of course, I have concerns,” Johnson said. “I don’t know what door that opens. When you start having positives without a positive test, where does that lead us?”

Three US athletes have been suspended after testing positive for the previously undetectable steroid THG and a fourth awaits a hearing as a result of a federal grand jury investigation into BALCO, a California nutritional supplement company.

Four other athletes, including Jones’ partner, world 100 meters record holder Tim Montgomery, have been sent letters by USADA saying they may have violated doping rules. None has failed a doping test.

Greene said if Montgomery was suspended, “it is going to taint everything he’s done”, including his world record of 9.78.

Montgomery and Jones, who was to compete in the Prefontaine Classic the next day, did not attend the pre-race news conference. Organizers said Jones would speak to the media the next day.

US Senator John McCain on Friday turned down a request from Jones and her attorneys seeking a public hearing before the Senate committee McCain chairs.

Jones’ chief counsel, Joseph Burton, responded by saying the athlete still wanted a public hearing, whether before the Senate or another body.

Greene said: “Marion’s situation is tough. I feel sorry for her.” But he added that all athletes, whether accused or not, were affected by the BALCO scandal.

“No company wants to do business with someone that could come up positive, or has speculation of being positive,” said Greene, adding the scandal was both good and bad for athletics.

“It’s good because it is cleaning the sport up,” he said. “It’s bad because any time drug talk is brought up in our sport, it’s bad.”