Jones wants samples tested

Marion Jones challenged the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on Friday to retest her blood or urine samples.

However, the American sprinter wants any samples obtained from the BALCO investigation to be tested for DNA first to ensure they belong to the triple Olympic champion.

Jones's concern over the results of past tests was heightened on Friday after it was reported in the Los Angeles Times that samples obtained in the BALCO steroid investigation resulted in Kelli White's two-year suspension.

The Times reported records indicating that BALCO founder Victor Conte had sent blood or urine samples to Quest Diagnostics laboratory, were among the evidence gathered by federal agents, according to a search warrant affidavit.

"There was some data that showed actual tests," White's lawyer Jerrold Colton told the Times.

Confronted with the evidence, White admitted to taking prohibited performance-enhancing drugs, including undetectable steroids and the blood booster erythropoietin (EPO) and agreed to assist USADA in the ongoing investigation.

At Jones's request, USADA agreed on Thursday to meet with the sprinter to discuss the issue that has sent shockwaves through the athletics world.

DOPING STORM

In recent weeks Jones has found herself increasingly at the centre of the doping storm, under intense pressure to explain her relationship with the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) believed to be at the heart of the steroid scandal.

In a letter addressed to USOC president Bill Martin and USADA's chief executive Terry Madden, Jones's lawyer Joseph Burton said the ongoing investigation had created, "a vortex of rumour, innuendo and speculation, much of it detrimental to the image and career of Ms. Jones."

In the absence of any credible evidence, Burton challenged the USADA to retest any samples in their possession or obtained in the investigation.

"First the USADA should immediately test any of Ms Jones purported blood or urine samples for the presence of THG or other banned substances," said Burton in a statement. "Such testing should be done in two parts.

"Any sample which are part of the evidence received from the BALCO investigation should be first DNA tested to ensure the sample is that of Ms. Jones and second any valid sample should be tested for banned substances.

"Any samples the USADA desires to test and which were obtained in compliance with USADA, USOC, IAAF or IOC in competition or out of competition procedures need not be DNA tested."

Burton also said, that if the USADA is unwilling or unable to do the tests then Jones would like a face-to-face meeting with anti-doping chiefs to answer questions about evidence in their possession that raises whether Jones has violated anti-doping rules and explain the nature and extent of her relationship with BALCO.

The USADA issued a statement on Thursday saying they were prepared to meet with Jones and her representatives.