Track: Marion Jones comes through

Marion Jones survived what she called the toughest day of her hectic Olympic schedule on Wednesday by qualifying for the semifinals of the 200 metres and the final of the long jump.

The tall American, seeking to become the first woman to collect five athletics gold medals at one Olympics, won her first-round heat of the 200 metres comfortably, then eased down to take second place behind Australia's Melinda Gainsford-Taylor in her second-round race.

She ended her busy programme with the long jump, believed to be the event in which she is most vulnerable. She leaped 6.78 metres - eight centimetres over the qualifying standard - at her first attempt.

Jones' jumping technique is rudimentary but she can outclass the field with just one jump if she gets everything right.

``I've always said that today was the most difficult day for me, having two rounds of the 200 and the long jump in the evening,'' she said after her opening 200 metres.

The second race was also a formality for Jones, who let Gainsford-Taylor beat her to the line to finish second in 22.50.

``That was the easiest 22.50 I have ever run,'' said Jones. ``Now I can really focus on qualifying for the long jump.''

She did just that and then jogged her way out of Stadium Australia with a big smile on her face.

Jones had started her quest for an historic medal haul by winning the 100 metres in style on Monday.

Then came the news that her husband, American shot put world champion C.J. Hunter, had tested positive for nandrolone.

She publicly expressed support for him on Tuesday before going back to work.

``When I stood on the track this morning all the things that have happened over the last couple of days kind of pushed to the back of my head,'' she said on Wednesday. ``It's all about business now.''

Australian Cathy Freeman, who fulfilled the hopes of a nation by winning the 400 metres crown on Monday, also qualified for the 200 metres semifinals but she was made to work, hinting that her much-anticipated showdown with Jones might turn out to be a one-sided affair.

Australia's darling was fifth entering the final straight and had to dig deep to take third place in a heat won by Jamaica's Beverley McDonald, who set the fastest qualifying time of 22.44. Freeman's time was a modest 22.75.

- REUTERS