Road clear for Susie’s ‘Silver’

~ Jones' results annulled by IAAF

By S.R. Pathiravithana

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has annulled all sprinter Marion Jones's results dating back to September 2000. Now both Lankan sprint queen Susanthika Jayasinghe is in line for the Silver medal in her bronze effort at the 2000 Sydney Olympics while Pauline Davis Thompson of the Bahamas who took the ‘silver’ are clearly in line to take their different places on the dais.

The secretary of the SLAAA Prema Pinnawela speaking to The Sunday Times said “The IAAF took the decision to annul Marion Jones’ achievements from the year 2000 and it will be effective for another two years from today. The decision was taken at the meeting which was held in Monaco on Friday.”

She won five medals, including three golds, in Sydney but they will be re-allocated by the International Olympic Committee next month. She won gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x400m relay in Sydney along with bronze medals in the long jump and 4x100m relay, becoming the first woman to win five medals at a single Olympics.

The IAAF statement said Jones's ban, which will last until October 7, 2009, by which time she will be almost 35, also required "the forfeiture and return of all awards , medals and certificates" obtained from September 2000 onwards, along with all the prize money.

The federation has also recommended that the other members of the USA relay teams be stripped of their medals. Gold and silver medals won by Jones at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton will also no longer be recognised as a result of the IAAF ruling.

The IOC, meanwhile, now has to decide if Katerina Thanou should be awarded a gold medal. The Greek sprinter finished second to Jones in the 100m in Sydney, but was herself banned for two years after failing to appear for a drugs test at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Pinnawela added “All is clear for Jayasinghe now. Its only a matter of time still everything is officially ratified”