MILAN (Italy), June 2: Three-time Olympic champion Marion Jones, who has been shadowed by doping allegations for the past year, was beaten by Chandra Sturrup in the 100 metres at the IAAF Lombardy Grand Prix II meeting here on Wednesday. Jones came second in a time of 11.67, while Bahamian veteran Sturrup crossed the line in 11.42 to record her second successive victory over her former training partner.

“I started really badly, but then I finished well,” said Jones, who came second to Sturrup when they met in Hengelo in the Netherlands three days ago.

“My physical condition is improving all the time and I still feel I can make the (world championship) trials. I’m not worried about today’s result.”

Most of Europe’s promoters chose not to invite Jones because of her alleged links to the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative doping scandal in the US.

But Milan, along with Hengelo last Sunday, welcomed the 29-year-old American as she has never tested positive and has not been charged with any offence by the US Anti-Doping Agency.

Jones, who in Athens last year failed to add any Olympic medals to her tally of five from the 2000 Games, once again protested her innocence.

“There have been some difficult moments, but those close to me know the truth, that I am innocent,” she said.

The BALCO scandal has also implicated Jones’ boyfriend and world 100 metres record holder Tim Montgomery.

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