Marion Jones Falls Short Of Qualifying

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Perhaps it was the stress of fighting doping allegations. Maybe it was the physical and emotional strains of motherhood. Or perhaps time, and a new generation of sprinters, are finally catching up with her.

Marion Jones failed to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team in the 100 meters Saturday night, losing out on a chance to defend her gold medal in her signature event at the Athens Games.

Jones started quickly but seemed to struggle as the race progressed and finished fifth in the final at the U.S. Olympic trials. The top three finishers automatically make the team.

Jones, who won five medals at the 2000 Sydney Games, still can make the Olympic team if she qualifies in the 200 meters or long jump. Or she could be picked for a relay team.

The defeat comes at a difficult time for perhaps the biggest U.S. Olympic star. She is under investigation by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, although she has repeatedly denied using drugs and has not been charged by USADA.

The 28-year-old Jones, who seemed a little stunned in the last few strides of the race as she realized she was not going to qualify, walked off the track smiling and even signed a couple of autographs for fans. But she walked quickly past a horde of reporters.

Jones, known for her bubbly personality and media savvy, was escorted by a personal bodyguard as she stormed off the track without answering questions.

"When I talk, you guys have something negative to say. When I don't talk, you have something negative to say," she said. "I'd rather not talk and spend the time with my son."

Jones has a 1-year-old son with Tim Montgomery, the world record holder in the men's 100.

LaTasha Colander won the final in 10.97 seconds, tied for second fastest in the world this year. World champion Torri Edwards was second in 11.02 and NCAA champion Lauryn Williams took the third Olympic spot in 11.10.

Gail Devers, a two-time Olympic champion in the 100, was fourth in 11.11, followed by Jones in 11.14.

Jones once dominated the 100. In addition to being the reigning Olympic champion, she is a former two-time world champion and had a streak of 42 straight wins in finals from 1997 to 2001.

Jones' boyfriend, Montgomery, advanced to the semifinals of the men's 100 by finishing fourth in his quarterfinal heat with a time of 10.16 seconds.

Montgomery has been charged with steroid use by USADA and faces a lifetime ban if found guilty.

Even if he makes the U.S. team, he still must await a ruling in his case by the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport. If the CAS rules against him, Montgomery would be barred from the Athens Games.

The fastest time in the men's 100 quarterfinals was 10.00 by Shawn Crawford, followed by John Capel in 10.01. Third fastest was reigning Olympic champ Maurice Greene (10.06), who is back in top form after two years of lackluster results.

Phelps Dominates Swimming

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Michael Phelps made it three in a row at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials Saturday, dominating the 200-meter butterfly to stay on course in his bid to break Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals in Athens.

In a symbolic moment, Phelps and Spitz met for the first time during the award ceremony. Spitz presented Phelps with his medal and pulled the 19-year-old close, whispering something in his ear.

Spitz then climbed atop the medal stand and held Phelps' right hand in the air, as if passing off the baton to the swimmer who could break one of sport's most revered records -- seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Games.

"I think he really has a chance to do this," Spitz said. "That's one of the things I told him."

Phelps came up just short of his own world record in the event, winning with a time of 1 minute, 54.31 seconds. He set the mark of 1:53.93 at last year's world championships.

It was his third individual win of the trials, following a world-record performance in the 400 individual medley and Friday's victory in the 200 freestyle. He has three more individual events to swim at the trials.

Phelps already has earned a spot on the 800 freestyle relay team and hopes to swim the other two relays, as well, giving him as many as nine chances to eclipse Spitz.

Phelps wouldn't reveal anything that Spitz said during their brief meeting.

"We'll keep that between him and me," Phelps said. "But it was definitely inspirational."

Former world record-holder Tom Malchow won the 200 fly at the Sydney Games, while Phelps finished fifth at age 15. The tide turned over the past four years, with Phelps maturing into the world's most dominant swimmer.