Athletics: Jones likely to run in Hengelo

Organisers of a Grand Prix meeting in the Netherlands are confident they will shortly finalise the appearance of the former Olympic champion Marion Jones. The Thales FBK-Games in Hengelo on Sunday is the second on the European circuit to welcome the controversial figure of Jones and from there she will compete in Milan on 1 June.

"Officially we we haven't finalised her appearance, but we should get the go-ahead and hear from her agent tonight or early tomorrow morning," Ellen van Langen of the Hengelo organising committee said.

Her participation in both meetings weakens the credibility of the Euro-Meetings Group which recently announced the former triple Olympic champion and her partner, the world 100 metres record holder, Tim Montgomery would not be welcome participants.

It had been reported the pair would not appear in Europe after the group, who organise more than 45 meets and of which British promoters Fast Track are members, agreed to bar the pair because of their links with the Balco doping scandal in the United States.

However, Jones' agent Charles Wells disputed this and insisted he had even been in negotiations about them competing in Europe. There has been a strong hint those discussions could include the Golden League meetings in Rome in July and Berlin in September.

Furthermore, the decision by the Euro-Meetings Group had been taken without consultation with the recently established International Association of Athletics Managers, who are eager to work closely with all meeting directors.

* The long jumper Jade Johnson has been ruled out of the World Championships in Helsinki with a back injury. The 24-year-old Briton has been advised not to compete this summer.