Rally to Be Held for Olympic Runner

By the time Conejo Valley residents see Marion Jones line up for the 200-meter dash tonight at the Olympic Games, her fate will already be known. Because of an 18-hour time difference from Sydney, Australia, Jones will have already run the race.

But that isn’t stopping more than 300 local supporters from cheering on the 1993 Thousand Oaks High School graduate when the race is televised.

A rally, sponsored by Jones’ official Web site, https://www.marionjones.com, will be held from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks High School Performing Arts Center, 2323 Moorpark Road.

Jones, who on Saturday earned her first Olympic gold medal with a win in the 100-meter dash, is on a quest to win five track and field gold medals.

Art Green, the track star’s coach at Thousand Oaks High School, will speak at the rally as will her former teammates. The school’s band will play its anthem and a disc jockey will also be on hand.

The event is open to the public but space is limited. Free food and beverages will be available.

A computer terminal will be set up to allow people to send an e-mail message to Jones in Sydney.

For more information, contact the high school at 495-7491.