NEW YORK, 8 February 2004 — American Marion Jones, absent from the track for all of the 2003 season, made a triumphant return on Friday, winning the Millrose Games 60m in a time of 7.21sec.
The Madison Square Garden crowd offered Jones an ovation worthy of a five-time Olympic medalist, warming the heart of the sprinter who had last competed in September of 2002.
The triple Olympic champion, who had not raced for 18 months while she took a break to have a baby, overcame a wretched start at the Madison Square Garden event but found her stride after 30 meters to edge a strong field.
Angela Daigle finished second in 7.24 seconds and Inger Miller third in 7.27 seconds.
“I was nervous and it showed in my start,” Jones told reporters.
“I looked like a woman who had been on pregnancy leave.
“After 30 meters I knew I had to do something. I told myself I should be dominating and fortunately after 40 meters it clicked.
“I’m not excited about the time, but considering all the hoopla surrounding my ‘comeback’ and the pressure I felt, this was a good way to start 2004.”
While the 28-year-old was not at her best, she looked in good shape and insisted the outing — only her second indoor race as a professional — had reminded her of what she had missed during 2003.
“When I walked into the arena, I got the buzz again,” she said.
“It brought a smile to my face and I knew this is where I belong.
“I have work to do, but I know there are lots more for me to do in the sport.”
Jones, who won five medals in all at the Sydney Olympics four years ago — three gold and two bronze — said this week she wants to go for five golds at this year’s Athens Olympics.
She will hope to dominate the 100m, 200m, long jump and the 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay.
“I’m going to double in 60m and long jump Feb. 20 in Birmingham,” Jones said, her eyes sparkling at the prospect of her first attempt at the long jump, in which she believes she has made enormous progress.
“I’ll probably jump again two days later in Athens,” she added.
In other notable performances, Gail Devers and Allen Johnson dominated the hurdles and Stacy Dragila won the women’s pole vault.
At 37, multiple Olympic and world medalist Devers burst out of the starting blocks to lead the women’s 60m hurdles from start to finish, winning in 7.76sec.
Johnson, 33, perfectly combined speed and technique to win the men’s 60m hurdles in 7.43.
It was a promising start to the season for the four-time 110m hurdles world champion, who will be hoping to earn a second Olympic hurdles gold in Athens to go with the one he won in Atlanta in 1996.
In the men’s 60m Jamaican Asafa Powell subdued his US rivals, winning in 6.56sec.
