Bad news for Anju, Marion will be around

From the Indian point of view, Jones’ presence will only make Anju Bobby George’s medal prospects that much tougher.

When Jones completed her sixth jump — all were clean and longer than 22 feet — Jones turned to the sunlit stands at Alex G Spanos Sports Complex, bowed and pumped her fist. She smiled. ‘‘So many people told me just to have fun, and I had fun out there,’’ she said on the medal stand. She walked toward her companion, sprinter Tim Montgomery, and they left the track together, accompanied by a bodyguard. Jones did not talk to reporters for the seventh straight day at the trials.

Grace Upshaw, last year’s national champion, finished second to Jones with a jump of 22-5 to qualify for the Olympic team. Akiba McKinney was third at 21-6 3/4, short of the Olympic A qualifying standard by five inches.

This was a different Jones from Monday, when she struggled and finished seventh on a cool night of qualifying, unable to reach the automatic mark of 21 feet. Jones surpassed that with her first attempt Thursday, with 22-3 1/4.

Upshaw, who in 1993 jumped five feet shorter than Jones at the California high school championships, was pleased to close the gap. She said Jones was not the only one inspired to compete. ‘‘I think we’re all out to prove something on a day like today,’’ Upshaw said.

McKinney, who has until August to reach the Olympic qualifying mark, said she was amazed by Jones’ second jump. ‘‘It’s a good thing I was there to witness it,’’ McKinney said. ‘‘I didn’t put it past her, coming in with her not qualifying for the 100. She had a spark.’’

Until Thursday night, Jones, 28, had seemed tense, out of sync and distracted at this meet, as she is under investigation by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. She has not been charged and she has vehemently denied using drugs.

In an intriguing turn of events, Jones could actually make the Olympic team in the 100, and perhaps be included in the relay pool because of a drug-related offense. Torri Edwards, the runner-up in the 100, tested positive for the prohibited stimulant nikethamide and is facing as much as a two-year suspension.

Gail Devers, the fourth-place finisher in the 100, would move up if Edwards were barred. But Devers, 37, may not enter the 100 in Athens so she can concentrate on the 100-meter hurdles, her best event.

(The New York Times)