Athens - A delighted Marion Jones, who won three gold medals at the Sydney Olympics four years ago, put all her recent troubles behind her and qualified for the Olympic long jump final here on Wednesday.
"It is a little bit about getting the gold but it is also about doing your best in the midst of chaos," said Jones.
Jones has been subject to allegations over performance enhancing drugs, including claims by her bitter ex-husband CJ Hunter, although she emphatically denies all such claims.
The 28-year-old made it through on her second of three jumps with a mark of 6.70m, taking off well behind the board, having put in a big foul with her first attempt.
"I was ready to jump today. I'm just so excited to finally get started. I've been watching all the competitions at home in the Olympic village," said Jones.
"The qualifying went so much better than in Sydney. About the final? Gosh, it's so exciting. I'm so excited. Now it's very much anyone's game.
"I feel very good. I've been training and taking a lot of time for myself."
Jones had failed to qualify for her two preferred individual events finishing fifth in the 100m at the US trials and pulling out of the 200m while embroiled in defending herself against allegations of drug abuse.
"Things are a little different from four years ago.
"I would have loved to have been competing in more events and going for them but there is a little more pressure here, it is going to be a little more difficult," added Jones, hinting at events beyond the track.
"It's going to be an interesting competition (the long jump). Things didn't work out this year as planned. Maybe I'll get a shot at the relay, we'll see."
Jones could be included in the US 4x100m relay team even though she did not qualify in any individual events on the track because International Olympic Committee regulations allow anyone competing in the Games to be selected.
"I haven't heard a darn thing," exclaimed Jones who practiced with the relay squad at the US pre-Games training base in Crete.
If Jones get the nod for the relay then one of her team-mates could be the 100m silver medallist Lauryn Williams.
Jones tips the 20-year-old from Pennsylvania to be the next big star of women's sprinting.
"We put so much emphasis on the older runners but the younger ones are out there making their mark."
