Posted: February 3, 2004

Athletics: Marion Jones To Headline World-Class Verizon Millrose Games Field On Feb. 6

Jones, Gail Devers, Stacy Dragila And Allen Johnson To Join 26 Olympians In Recharged Sports And Entertainment Event At Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK, N.Y., -- Feb. 2, 2004 – Marion Jones will re-enter the arena of world-class track and field competition at the 97th Verizon Millrose Games on Feb. 6 at Madison Square Garden. Jones, who gave birth to her first child last year, will headline one of the strongest fields in the history of the event, which will feature Olympians Gail Devers, Stacy Dragila, Allen Johnson, David Krummenacker, John Capel and Jearl Miles Clark.

Held annually since 1908, the Verizon Millrose Games is the nation’s longest running invitational track meet, the Garden’s longest running sporting event, and a highlight of USA Track & Field’s annual “Golden Spike Tour.”

“The world class field we have assembled during this Olympic year will provide one of the most exciting Verizon Millrose Games ever,” says meet organizer Skip Stolley, Vice President of Running Events, Pro Sports & Entertainment, Inc. “We know that the fans at Madison Square Garden will be treated to an electric evening. And we also know they will give all our athletes--from our 26 Olympians to our 12 “Fastest Kid in New York City” finalists -- the kind of energy that can only be experienced in New York City.”

"The Verizon Millrose Games is the perfect place and time for me to return to competition and start my push for the Olympic Games," said Marion Jones. "It's exciting to start my track season on home turf at Madison Square Garden in New York City.”

Jones will face a loaded field in the women’s 60-meter dash. Joining her in the starting blocks will be rising star Torri Edwards, who won silver and bronze medals in the 100 meter and 200 meter at last summer’s World Championships; Angela Williams, a 2003 World Championships gold medalist in the 4x100-meter relay; and 2003 High School Athlete of the Year Allyson Felix, who broke Marion’s national high school and World Junior records in the 200 meters as a 17-year old senior at Los Angeles Baptist High School.

Gail Devers is a two-time 100-meter Olympic champion, three-time 100-meter hurdle World champion, and the reigning 2003 World Indoor hurdle champion. Devers received the elegant crystal bowl Fred Schmertz “Outstanding Performer” award at the conclusion of the 2003 Verizon Millrose Games for winning the women’s 60-meter hurdles with a new American record time of 7.78.

Stacy Dragila, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist and American indoor/outdoor record holder in the women’s pole vault, returns to the site of her American Indoor Record 15’ 5¾” performance at the 2003 Verizon Millrose Games. Dragila will be facing stiff competition this year from the “Vault Girls”: Tracy O’Hara, Mary Sauer, Jillian Schwartz and Kellie Suttle.

Since winning gold at the 1996 Olympic Games, Allen Johnson has captured four World Championships in the 100-meter hurdles. He is considered one of the greatest hurdlers in history and faces stiff competition from Ron Bramlett, Larry Wade, and Ladji Doucoure -- all ranked among the top-10 in the world.

In the middle distances, David Krummenacker returns to defend his 800-meter title. Krummenacker has been America’s fastest 800- and 1500-meter runner for the past two years with US-leading outdoor bests of 1:43.95 and 3:31.91. In 2002, he was the first to rank No. 1 in the U.S. at both 800 and 1500 meters since Rick Wohlhutter accomplished that feat in 1974. In 2003, he followed his second consecutive Verizon Millrose Games victory with a stirring gold-medal winning performance at the World Indoor Championships.

John Capel is making his Verizon Millrose Games debut in the 60-meter dash. The 2003 World Outdoor 200 meter champion and 4x100-meter relay gold medalist has returned to top form as a world-class sprinter after spending two years pursuing a pro football career with the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs. The 60-meter field includes veteran Shawn Crawford and two of the most exciting young sprinters on the World scene, 20-year-old Rae Edwards and the 19-year-old Jamaican sensation, Asafa Powell.

Jearl Miles Clark headlines the field in the new Women’s 500-yard cup race. She was the 1996 and 2000 Olympic gold medalist in the 4x400 relay and has won 5 Millrose titles at 400 meters. She has been ranked No. 1 in the U.S. in the 400 meters a record seven times and is the sister-in-law of current 800-meter star Hazel Clark and Verizon Millrose Games Hall-of-Famer, Joetta Clark.

This year's Verizon Millrose Games features several new events including the first-ever "Fastest Kid in New York City" 50 meter dashes for eight and nine year-olds, PSAL "Mayor's Cup" high school relays, three special invitational college relays, and the return of the men's shot put event to the main arena for the first time since the 1980s.

Tickets can be purchased by:
· Visiting the Madison Square Garden Box Office or calling (212) 465-6741
· Calling the following local Ticketmaster outlets and charge-by-phone numbers:
(212) 307-7171, (201) 507-8900, (914) 454-3388 and (203) 624-0033

Ticket prices are $15, $30, $40, $50, $70 and $90. Ticket prices in excess of $15 include a $4.50 facility surcharge. Ticketmaster purchases are subject to a Ticketmaster Service Charge.

Pro Sports & Entertainment Inc., an owner/operator of live entertainment events with offices in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, California, acquired ownership of the Verizon Millrose Games in September 2003. Verizon, a leader in telecommunication services around the world, has been title sponsor of the event since 2001.

For more information about the Verizon Millrose Games log-on to www.verizonmillrosegames.com.