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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 (EPO) at the US championships in Indianapolis in June. The 30-year-old could have faced a two-year ban from the sport had the second sample tested positive.

"Marion Jones was informed by the USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency) today that her 'B' sample urine test was negative. She has been cleared of doping allegations," Jones's attorneys Howard Jacobs and Rich Nichols said in a statement on Wednesday.

USADA general counsel Travis Tygart could not immediately be reached for comment.

"I am absolutely ecstatic," Jones said in a statement issued by her general counsel Nichols. "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.

"I am anxious to get back on the track."

Jones could conceivably run in the IAAF World Cup of Athletics in Athens on September 16-17. Jones's coach Steve Riddick said he would prepare her to run in the Athens meeting if she wanted to compete.

Jones's attorney Jacobs said he was not surprised with the outcome.

"Having looked at the 'A' sample and had it reviewed by experts, it was questionable whether the 'A' sample should have been called positive in the first place," Jacobs said.

Jacobs also represents disgraced Tour de France winner Floyd Landis, who tested positive for the male sex hormone testosterone and awaits potential doping charges.

"The scientific part of the testing protocols worked, but it is unfortunate that because of the 'leak' of the 'A' sample results, Marion was wrongfully accused of a doping violation and her reputation was unfairly questioned," Jacobs said.

"This is a perfect illustration of why 'A' sample results should never be made public."

Jones has repeatedly denied taking performance-enhancing substances and had never previously failed a doping test.

She has been under investigation by USADA in connection with the BALCO laboratory doping scandal but had never been charged with a doping offence.

She won five Olympic medals at the 2000 Sydney Games, including gold in the 100 and 200 metres and 4x400 relay.

Jones dominated sprinting in the late 1990s and early this decade while coached by Trevor Graham, who is currently under investigation by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and USADA.

She had performed poorly since having a son with disgraced former 100m world record holder Tim Montgomery in 2003, but was making a comeback this year.

Jones has three of the six fastest times in the world this year with a best of 10.91 seconds to rank second overall behind Jamaica's Sherone Simpson.

(China Daily September 8, 2006)