Date:26/04/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/04/26/stories/2004042605521800.htm

Sport - Athletics

U.S. dominates at Penn Relays

PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 25. The United States dominated in all the six relay events — with Marion Jones shaking off more BALCO controversy to anchor two events — in the ``U.S. vs. the World'' races Saturday at the Penn Relays.

Jones anchored the 800-metre and 400-metre relays, pulling away down the homestretch for convincing victories in front 49,441 spectators.

Jones, a five-time medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, was coming off a fourth-place finish in the 200 meters at the Mount SAC Relays, her first race outdoors since 2002.

``I ran a little bit smarter,'' Jones said. ``I think I'm in good shape. I need races. I need to run. I need to get back in the mix.''

Jones put aside the distraction of a New York Times report that said a $7,350 cheque from her bank account was written to the founder of the California lab at the centre of a performance-enhancing drug scandal. Jones said she had no knowledge of the cheque.

``I never signed, endorsed, agreed upon or sent any cheques to BALCO,'' Jones said. ``I'm not in a position to comment on any other person. — AP