Posted: November 11, 2004

Athletics: Jones winning five Olympic medals named USATF 7th Greatest Moment

Marion Jones winning five medals, three of them gold, at the 2000 Olympic Games was honored by USA Track & Field on Thursday as the seventh greatest moment in U.S. track and field history in the last 25 years.

To help mark the 25th anniversary of USA Track & Field, fans joined USATF in selecting the Top 25 Moments in American Track & Field during the past quarter century. Fans voted for what they consider to be the top moments in the sports of track & field, long-distance running, and race walking by voting online at USATF's website, USATF.org

As a 16-year-old, Jones earned a spot on Team USA's 4x100m relay pool for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, but declined the invitation. Four years later she missed the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta due to a broken foot. When Jones finally had the opportunity to compete at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, she sought to accomplish what no woman ever had.

Jones began her quest to win five Olympic medals in Sydney with a dominant performance in the 100 meters. She was never challenged in the final, easily winning the race in 10.75 seconds, with Ekaterini Thanou of Greece the distant runner-up in 11.12.

Five days later Jones was equally dominant in the 200 meters, winning in 21.84 seconds over runner-up Pauline Davis of the Bahamas (22.27). Jones added a bronze medal to her collection in the long jump with a leap of 6.92 meters/22 feet, 8.50 inches before winning another bronze medal in running the anchor league on Team USA's 4x100m relay squad. Jones earned her final medal in Sydney by teaming up with Jearl Miles-Clark, Monique Hennagan and LaTasha Colander-Richardson to win the 4x400m relay gold in 3:22.62.

With her accomplishments in Sydney, Jones became the first woman in history to win five track and field medals at a single Olympics.

Suggestions for USATF's Top 25 Moments were taken through February 22, 2004. Fans voted for their favorite moments beginning February 28 and ending on June 20. The Top 25 Moments will be announced in reverse order, one per week, leading up to the USATF Annual Meeting in December, where the top three moments will be revealed.

For more information on USATF's Top 25 Moments, visit USATF.org.

USATF Top 25 Moments 
25. Jackie Joyner-Kersee breaks 7,000-point barrier in the heptathlon.
24. Khalid Khannouchi sets men's world marathon record in 2002.
23. Alan Webb sets U.S. boys' high school mile record.
22. Kevin Young breaks Edwin Moses' world record.
21. Lynn Jennings wins third World Cross Country title.
20. Alberto Salazar wins third consecutive New York City Marathon.
19. Flo-Jo sets women's 200m world record.
18. Gail Devers successfully defends Olympic 100m women's title.
17. Evelyn Ashford defeats two world record holders at 1979 World Cup.
16. Michael Carter sets national prep shot put record.
15. Valerie Brisco wins three gold medals at 1984 Olympic Games.
14. Stacy Dragila wins first ever women's Olympic pole vault.
13. Maurice Greene wins double sprint gold at 1999 World Outdoors
12. Decker wins two gold medals at 1983 World Outdoor Championships
11. Batten, Buford better world record at 1995 World Outdoor Champonships
10. Flo-Jo shatters 100m world record
9. JJK breaks heptathlon world record at 1988 Olympic Games
8. Lewis wins fourth consecutive Olympic long jump gold medal 
7. Jones wins five medals, three of them gold, at 2000 Olympic Games