Jones skips Bob Hasan track and field meet

JAKARTA (JP): Jasmin Jones of the United States canceled her participation in the 800-meter competition at the Bob Hasan track and field invitational meet this weekend due to an undisclosed injury.

Jones will nurse the injury she suffered during an international track and field, grand prix meet in Bislet, Oslo, Jones' agent Ray Flinn said in a facsimile sent to the organizers yesterday.

The American ran in the women's mile event in Oslo on Friday. There, she finished only seventh, more than 20 seconds behind winner Sonia O'Sullivan of Ireland.

Flinn also said another runner would probably take Jones' place, but he said that he would confirm this today.

Jones is expected to arrive at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport this afternoon, to cheer on teammates Patrick Manson and Flirtisha Harris.

Manson is the red-hot favorite to win the pole vault competition. His best leap of 5.80 meters is 60 centimeters higher than that of his closest rival Hideji Suzuki of Japan, runner-up at the Asian track and field championships in Manila last November.

Harris is tipped to meet former Asian track queen Lydia da Vega and Japanese Sachiko Kiso in the 100m event.

A total of 55 athletes from 16 countries will enter the second invitational track and field meet, promoted by timber tycoon Mohammad `Bob' Hasan. The event, scheduled to last only two hours, will be staged at the Madya Senayan stadium and broadcasted live by state-owned TV station TVRI.

Bob, chairman of national track and field body (PASI) and president of Asian track and field association (AAAA), invited a host of star athletes the last time he held this event in 1991. This included the world pole vault record holder, Sergei Bubka, of the then Soviet Union and world long jump record holder Mike Powell. (amd)