Athletics: Montgomery warned

Tim Montgomery, the World 100 metres record holder, has been informed of a potential doping violation by the US Anti-Doping Agency, according to a report from the United States.

Tim Montgomery, the World 100 metres record holder, has been informed of a potential doping violation by the US Anti-Doping Agency, according to a report from the United States.

The New York Times said yesterday that Montgomery had received a letter from USADA officials who have been investigating the Balco laboratory in San Francisco, an alleged centre of doping.

If charges are found to be true, Montgomery, who set his world record of 9.78sec in Paris two years ago, faces missing this summer's Olympics. His lawyer, Cristina Arguedas, maintained that the athlete would vigorously challenge any attempt to stop him competing. Chryste Gaines, the US sprinter, is also reported to have been informed of a potential offence.

Montgomery's partner, the triple Olympic champion Marion Jones, performed disappointingly in last night's Ostrava meeting, finishing third in the long jump with 6.67 metres.

Before competing, Jones described as "ignorant" criticism of her at the weekend by the president of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, who suggested that her image was in danger of being tarnished by association with those under suspicion of doping.