Posted on: Saturday, August 11, 2001

Jones rebounds by winning gold in 200

Associated Press

EDMONTON, Alberta — Even when she's not at her sharpest, Marion Jones can beat the world's best 200-meter sprinters.

Jones, who has not lost a 200 final since 1995, struggled to win her first world 200 title and extend her winning streak in the event to 27 finals last night.

Jones did not look smooth down the stretch but still had the strength to finish in 22.39 seconds, and hold off Pan American Games gold medalist Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas by 0.13 seconds.

The victory atoned for Jones' shocking runner-up finish in the 100 final, ending her string of 42 consecutive finals wins in that event.

"It's incredible," Jones said. "I was confident coming into the race."

The popular Jones was given a standing ovation by the crowd of 45,085 at Commonwealth Stadium as she went past the stands blowing kisses to the spectators.

"I came here to win the 100, 200 and relay," Jones said. "It didn't happen. I was emotional today. I wanted this one. It wasn't that fast, but a gold medal is a gold medal.

Jones will run the 400 relay today.

Earlier, Gail Devers won her semifinal heat in the women's 100 hurdles in a world-leading 12.56.

Devers, 34, is seeking her fourth world hurdles title, to go along with one gold medal in the 100 and one in the 400 relay. No woman has won four titles in championship history.

Joining her were Jenny Adams, who ran a career-best 12.67 in finishing second to Bulgaria's Svetla Dimitrova (12.65) in the other semifinal, and Anjanette Kirkland, the world indoor 60 hurdles champion. Kirkland was third in Dimitrova's heat in 12.80.

In another final, Felix Sanchez became the first athlete from the Dominican Republic to win a medal in the championships. He won gold in the men's 400 hurdles with a time of 47.49.