Marion Jones' latest comeback came in a laboratory, where her
backup sample turned up clean -- a stunning twist that clears her to
compete and could validate a long list of triumphs sullied by years
of doping allegations.
Marion Jones tested positive for the banned endurance enhancer EPO on June 23. The backup test, conducted at the same UCLA lab using the same sample, came back negative, however, meaning the sprinter has been cleared of any wrongdoing.
The "B" sample taken from one of the world's best-known and
most decorated sprinters did not detect the banned endurance
enhancer EPO, her attorneys said Wednesday night.
The finding means her initial positive result is thrown out,
clearing her of the most recent -- and most damaging -- allegations
against Jones and paving the way for her return to the track.
"I am absolutely ecstatic," Jones said in a statement released
by her lawyers. "I have always maintained that I have never ever
taken performance enhancing drugs, and I am pleased that a
scientific process has now demonstrated that fact."
Long a target of governing bodies in track and the Olympic
movement, Jones always vehemently denied ever taking
performance-enhancing drugs. But she tested positive for EPO on
June 23, after winning the 100 meters at U.S. nationals for her
first sprint title since 2002.
She withdrew from the 200 meters the next day and was slated to
race at a meet in Switzerland in August, but withdrew unexpectedly.
Hours later, reports of her positive "A" test for EPO were
revealed.
She faced a minimum two-year ban, pending the result of the
backup, or "B," test, conducted at the same UCLA lab using the same
sample. Instead, the 30-year-old sprinter is clear to run again.
"I am anxious to get back on the track," Jones said.
The statement, released by attorney Rich Nichols, said Jones was
informed of the negative test by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. USADA
does not comment on active cases and never acknowledged Jones'
positive "A" test.
USADA general counsel Travis Tygart did not immediately return
messages left late Wednesday by The Associated Press. U.S. Olympic
Committee spokesman Darryl Seibel said the federation had no
comment.
Dr. Gary Wadler, a consultant to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), told ESPN.com's John Helyar "it's pretty rare" for "A" and "B" samples to produce conflicting results -- but it's a sign that the system works.
Questions have long been raised about the reliability of EPO
testing, and this negative "B" test will spark further debate.
"This is not a setback [for anti-doping advocates]," Wadler told Helyar, regarding the Jones outcome. "It demonstrates the rights of the athlete and that the process was adhered to."
While the WADA Web site maintains its "detection method for EPO is valid and reliable" and "widely accepted by the scientific community," the test can be flawed. In the spring of 2005, some of WADA's accredited testing labs told the agency that "in certain rare circumstances" EPO produced by the body naturally can shift into recombinant EPO, yielding false positive results. If a lab has reason to believe that's happened, it is required to get a second opinion from another lab before reporting an "adverse result."
It couldn't immediately be determined if that has a bearing on Jones' case.
"I believe there are issues with that test," said Howard
Jacobs, another Jones attorney who has defended several athletes on
doping charges. "It's a difficult test. From what I saw on the 'A'
sample, it was questionable as to whether it should've been called
a positive. I can't say I was shocked that the 'B' came back
negative based on what the 'A' looked like."
As he has in the doping case involving Tour de France winner
Floyd Landis, Jacobs derided the leaking of positive tests. Doping
cases aren't supposed to be made public until they are resolved,
but most are reported once a positive "A" test is confirmed.
"This is perfect illustration of why this new trend of leaking
'A' positives is a horrible thing," Jacobs said. "This whole thing
should have happened anonymously. Marion should've been able to
keep competing and no one should have known about it."
EPO is also known as Erythropoietin, a banned
performance-enhancer that can boost endurance.
"I am absolutely ecstatic. I have always maintained that I have never ever taken performance enhancing drugs, and I am pleased that a scientific process has now demonstrated that fact."
-- Marion Jones said after her "B" sample came back negative
Jones, who has five world championships to go with her Olympic
medals, dominated track and field in the late 1990s. At the Sydney
Games, she became the first woman to win five Olympic medals --
taking gold in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 1,600-meter relay and
bronze in the long jump and 400-meter relay.
Since then, her reputation has suffered. She is one of several
athletes who has testified to the federal grand jury investigating
BALCO in 2003. Her ex-husband, C.J. Hunter, and Bay Area Laboratory
Co-operative founder Victor Conte have accused her of using banned
substances, allegations she has denied.
Her former coach, Trevor Graham, has been linked to several
athletes in trouble for doping, including Justin Gatlin, who
recently tested positive for testosterone or other steroids and
faces a possible eight-year ban. Last December, the father of
Jones' son, sprinter Tim Montgomery, retired after he was banned
for two years for doping violations -- the result of information
gathered in the BALCO probe.
Earlier this year, the International Olympic Committee said it
would continue to investigate Jones' performance in Sydney to
determine whether she was doping then.
Jacobs said the turnaround in Jones' case places a burden on
sports federations and those who administer the tests to make sure
they're doing a good job and following protocol on releasing
results.
"They need to look at their procedures," Jacobs said. "Not
USADA so much as the sports federations" who leak the positive
tests.
"They always talk about holding athletes to the highest
standards," he said. "They need to follow their own rules. This
kind of calls them on the carpet."
Information from The Associated Press and John Helyar, a senior writer for ESPN.com and ESPN the Magazine, contributed to this report. Helyar previously covered the business of sports for The Wall Street Journal and Fortune magazine and is the author of "Lords of the Realm: The Real History of Baseball."