Jones pulls out of Zurich

ByEurosport

Published 18/08/2006 at 13:27 GMT

Marion Jones has pulled out of Friday's Zurich Golden League meet to return to the USA "for personal reasons". "We don't really know anything precise about her reasons," media spokesman Christoph Schmid told Reuters.

"All we know is that she turned up at five o'clock in the morning and said she was leaving. Her manager told us it was for personal reasons."

The 30-year-old former Olympic champion has had a controversial career, her name being muddied with unfounded allegations during the BALCO trial which saw former partner Tim Montgomery banned and stripped of titles.

She has also been coached by Trevor Graham, all of whose athletes have been banned from appearing in Berlin's final Golden League meeting next month after Justin Gatlin's positive test for testosterone.

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She was however free to compete in Zurich and there is no suggestion that Graham's investigation by the IAAF has played a part in this decision.

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