Jones hits back at CJ drugs claims

Marion Jones's lawyer has hit back at claims from the sprinter's ex-husband that she took drugs.

10:29 23 July 2004

Marion Jones's lawyer has hit back at claims from the sprinter's ex-husband that she took drugs.

Shot-putter CJ Hunter, who was divorced from Jones in 2002 and was banned for two years after testing positive for steroids, is said to have told federal investigators that his former wife took drugs.

Hunter reportedly told officials investigating the Balco drugs controversy that Jones was using performance-enhancing steroids at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Jones won both the 100m and 200m events in Australia and her lawyer Joseph Burton has slammed Hunter's claims as motivated by revenge.

"CJ Hunter has had an axe to grind ever since Marion ended their marriage," Burton said in a statement.

"Fortunately, Hunter's efforts to exact his revenge are directly contradicted by the statements made to the government investigators of Marion's former coach, who has supported everything Marion has said all along - that she never used performance enhancing drugs"

Jones has never failed a drugs test but is being investigated by US anti-doping officials about alleged links with Victor Conte's Balco laboratory, which is believed to be the source of the designer steroid THG.

Jones failed to qualify for the US Olympic team in the 100m or 200m, but will be at Athens to compete in the long jump.