Jones used EPO - Ex-husband

2004-07-23 09:13

Los Angeles - Marion Jones's ex-husband told federal investigators the US sprint star used performance-enhancing drugs before and during her five medal-winning performance at the Sydney Olympics, according to US press reports on Thursday.

The San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News newspapers reported that former world champion shot putter CJ Hunter told investigators that he saw Jones take EPO, which increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood, human growth hormone and a substance called "the clear."

Jones, who has denied ever using banned drugs, has been questioned by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) over links to the Balco steroid scandal. But she has not been formally charged with any infraction and has aggressively asserted her innocence.

She qualified to compete in the long jump at the Athens Olympics next month and on Thursday her lawyer Joseph Burton issued a statement saying Hunter was "seeking to exact his revenge by telling lies to the government."

Hunter spoke with investigators in June in North Carolina.

According to the Chronicle, which cited memos written by investigators, Hunter told authorities that Jones received drugs from Victor Conte, owner of the Balco lab and one of four men indicted in the Balco steroid distribution case, as well as from her then-coach Trevor Graham.

Conte has pleaded innocent to charges he distributed steroids.

Graham, too, has met with investigators and has denied giving steroids to any of his athletes.

Burton said Hunter "has had an axe to grind ever since Marion Jones ended their marriage."

"We call upon federal authorities to investigate Hunter's conduct, as it is a crime to lie to federal investigators," Burton said, adding that Hunter's allegations were "directly contradicted" by Graham.

Jones and Hunter were married three years before separating in June of 2001 and divorcing shortly thereafter.

- AFP