Sport

Jones leaves security to USOC

Marion Jones - File

TRIPLE Olympic Games GOLD MEDALLIST Marion Jones said yesterday that she is confident the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) will do everything to protect its athletes at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Jones was speaking against the background of three bombings at a police staion in the Greek capital on Wednesday.

The bombings have caused a stir among athletes who will attend the August 13-29 Olympics but Jones said she would remain calm at this time.

"I am confident that the USOC, which is our governing body will do everything they can to protect the athletes," Jones told journalists at a press conference yesterday at the Pegasus Hotel.

Jones said the expected increased security for American athletes will not be a problem for her.

"In Sydney I had 24-hour security, so to me it's not to be much of a change going to Athens and having 24-hour security," she said.

She continued: "I am confident that if there is any threat against the athletes the United State Olympics Committee wouldn't send its athletes. I am just an athlete I don't make the decisions, but if they decide that the athletes are secure and they are confident then I will be in Athens without any concern," Jones is in Jamaica for the first Jamaica International Invitational track and field meet set for the National Stadium tonight.

Only yesterday, Australian Olympic chief John Coates said he would welcome armed guards to protect his country's athletes.

The Three bomb blasts hit a central Athens police station near several hotels to be used by Olympic officials.