Doping-Marion Jones cleared of doping, 'B' sample negative

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Sep 7 (Reuters) Former triple Olympic champion Marion Jones was cleared of doping after her 'B' sample tested negative for the banned blood-boosting drug EPO.

Jones's initial sample had tested positive for erythropoietin at the US championships in Indianapolis in June. Had the second sample tested positive, the 30-year-old would have faced a two-year ban from the sport.

''I am absolutely ecstatic,'' Jones said in a statement issued by her lawyer. ''I have always maintained that I have never ever taken performance enhancing drugs, and I am pleased that a scientific process has now demonstrated that fact.'' REUTERS DH PM0755