Marion Jones Runs Away With Top Honors

For the second year running, American sprint and long-jump star Marion Jones was in the spotlight of the International Athletic Foundation Council (IAFC) and USA Track and Field (USATF). Jones and Ethiopian long distance runner Haile Gebrselassie were named Athletes of the Year by the IAFC, while John Godina and Jones won the Jesse Owens Memorial Awards for 1998. It was the second straight year Jones won each award.

"Marion is remarkable in that she combines the most winning aspects of other track greats: She has the personality and warmth of Jackie Joyner Kersee, she has the ability to win multiple medals that Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens had, and she has the flair for the big moment like Michael Johnson and Flo-Jo had," USATF CEO Craig Masback said. "These qualities will make her the biggest sports story of 2000, and if she can win five gold medals, as I believe she can, she will go down in history as one of the all-time greats."

The IAFC selections were announced at its annual World Athletics Gala while the USATF recognized its top athletes at its annual meeting.

Jones had a truly stellar season in which she only experienced defeat once - to German long jumper Heike Drechsler at the World Cup in Johannesburg in September. Jones totally dominated the 100m and 200m throughout the season and also scored the three best marks in the long jump.

Haile Gebrselassie dominated the distance running scene in 1998. Gebrselassie and Jones won their respective events in the IAAF Golden League series, sharing the League's $1 million jackpot with another finalist for the men's title, Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj.

American legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee was also recognized by the IAFC with its award for lifetime achievement. Florence Griffith Joyner was honored as well with a posthumous award for lifetime achievement, and she was the subject of a tribute by Oscar-winning director Bud Greenspan.

The USATF's Owens Awards, named after the American star of the 1936 Olympics, are given to the year's outstanding United States male and female performers in track and field, long distance running and race walking. Godina is the first thrower to win the sport's most prestigious award. "John Godina is an outstanding athlete and person. It's not enough for him to be the world's best shot putter; he wants to take on the discus as well," Masback said. "In addition, he is an interesting person who projects an excitement about his athletic endeavors and a passion for life."

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