Jones Steps Into Spotlight on HBO

Southern California native Marion Jones will be featured on "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" - which opens it new season tonight with the spotlight on the United States track and field star. The show premieres tonight on HBO from 10 to 11 p.m.

Hailed as the world's fastest woman, Jones is poised to assume Jackie Joyner-Kersee's title as best female athlete on the planet, according to a press release recently released by USA Track and Field. Jones said she has had many conversations with Joyner-Kersee, although they have yet to hook up for a workout together. Jones said Joyner-Kersee has told her to make sure she has fun with what she is doing. "I am having a ball," Jones said in a recent conference call. "When it stops being fun for me, it is time to choose a new career."

In 1998, Jones won an incredible 35 of 36 events. She took gold medals in the 100 (10.90) and 200 (21.80) at Goodwill Games. At the World Cup, Jones also won the 100 (10.83) and long jump (23-4.75) and at the Grand Prix Final won the 100 (10.65 PR) and 200 (21.62 PR).

In 1997, Jones was the world champion in the 100 (10.83), and she ran the second leg on gold medal winning U.S. 4 x 100 (41.47 AR). "Marion Jones is the world's best athlete," USA Track and Field CEO Craig Masback said. "Marion's performances and charisma speak for themselves."

Jones has been vocal about her goal to win an unprecedented five track and field gold medals at the 2000 Olympics. She plans to run the 100, 200 and 4 x 100 as well as competing in the long jump. She also hopes to be selected for the 4 x 400-relay team. "I am not assured a place (on that relay)," Jones said.

Interviews on tonight's special include Jones and her husband C.J. Hunter, an Olympic shot put hopeful, who are now living in Raleigh, NC.

Jones was a basketball standout during her collegiate at the University of North Carolina. As a freshman, she played for the University of North Carolina's 1994 National Championship basketball team. She scored 22.8 points per game as a senior and was named California Division I Player of the Year. After graduation, she put her full focus on track and field.

Mary Carillo is the correspondent for tonight's broadcast while Kendall Reid is the producer for HBO, which will also air the show July 29 (5:30 p.m.) and 31 (1:30 p.m.), and Aug. 3 (8p.m.), 6 (4:00 p.m.) and 9 (9:45 a.m.). All times EST and PST.

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