Jones Wins Long Jump, 100 to Delight of Fans

Marion Jones got into the starting blocks and the fans stood.

Cameras flashed, but a hush came over the stadium. After all, it was the crowd’s first chance to see the five-time Olympic medalist compete in Jamaica.

She certainly didn’t disappoint. Jones won the 100 meters and long jump Friday night at the Jamaica International Invitational.

She easily won the 100 in 11.04 seconds. Aleen Bailey of Jamaica was second in 11.19.

Jones’ boyfriend, fellow sprinter Tim Montgomery, fared worse in his 100. American Darvis Patton won in a photo finish over countryman John Capel after lunging forward at the finish line. Patton took the race in 10.12, 0.01 of a second ahead of Capel.

Montgomery was fourth in 10.25 and didn’t speak to reporters afterward.

Though it wasn’t the fastest time for Jones, this was her first competition outdoors in the 100 since 2002.

“I expected it,” Jones said. “It’s exactly where I want to be and it can only get better from here.”

Top international stars flocked to this inaugural meet, sure to encounter quality competition only three months before the Games on Aug. 13-29.

But Jones had more to go. She competed in the long jump outdoors for the first time since winning bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, about an hour after her sprint race.

She won with a leap of 22 feet, 1 1/2 inches, easily outdistancing American Brianna Glenn (20-6 1/4).

The crowd cheered wildly when Jones won, giving her more of an ovation than the Jamaican sprinters.

“I felt really good,” Jones said while she waved to the crowd. “Thank you guys for turning out. I was feeling the vibe because I love the weather. It’s like paradise. It doesn’t get much better than this.”

Though steroid allegations have dogged her recently, Jones still seems to be track and field’s darling. As she walked off the track after her race, the crowd continued to clap and wave.

Jones and Montgomery were among dozens of athletes -- including baseball sluggers Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi -- who testified before a grand jury that indicted BALCO founder Victor Conte and three others on charges of illegal distribution of steroids to athletes in a number of sports. No athletes have been charged.

In other events, world indoor champion Savante Stringfellow continued his hot streak, winning the long jump with a leap of 25 feet, 7 1/2 inches, Gail Devers won the 100 hurdles in 12.50, and reigning world champion Maria Mutola won the 800 in 2:00.38, ahead of American Hazel Clark (2:01.46).