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Jones boosted as Miller ruled out of 200

From Sports Illustrated • SI Images: Photos from the Games • Tim Layden: Jones down but certainly not out • Leigh Montville: Level the playing field • E.M. Swift: Romanian gymnast is the victim in a half-hearted war • Grant Wahl: U.S. men deserve kudos for inspiring run • Michael Farber: U.S.-Cuba face off in gold-medal game • Alex Wolff: Tennis -- Go Nathalie • Phil Taylor: Dream Team needs to wake up • SI For Women's Kelli Anderson: Berg keeps life in perspective after game-winner More Features • Day at a Glance: The name game • Wake-up Call: Tracking the day in sports • Viewers' Guide: Sept. 26 • Closer Look: Soccer -- Spanish defender claw Wolff • Quiz: Today's Tester Athletes • Just Checking In: U.S. softball pitcher Michele Smith • Head Games: U.S. hurdler Melissa Morrison • Head Games: American swimmer Kristy Kowal • Head Games: American swimmer Courtney Shealy • Head Games: U.S. hurdler Terrence Trammell Multimedia • Shots of the Day: Young Americans • Shots of the Day: Shots of the Day

SYDNEY, Sept 26 (AFP) - Under pressure American sprint star Marion Jones Tuesday received a much needed boost ahead of the 200 metres when it was revealed the 1999 world champion Inger Miller had been ruled out of the event.

The 28-year-old Miller is still suffering from the hamstring injury that sidelined her from the 100m, her manager Emmanuel Hudson told AFP.

"I spoke to John Smith (Miller's coach) on Monday night and he told me that she was not ready to run the 200," Hudson said.

"Inger is more than disappointed but still hopes to run the relay.

"However, John does not want to rush her back if it is a case of a career threatening injury."

Miller, the world 100m silver medallist behind Jones and daughter of two-time Jamaican Olympic medallist Lennox, will be replaced by another athlete from the stable of Hudson Smith International (HSI) Torri Edwards, who also replaced her in the 100.

Hudson said it was a shame Miller couldn't race Jones, particularly after the revelation that Jones' husband, world champion shot putter C.J. Hunter, had tested positive for drugs.

Jones "must be really shaken by the news," Hudson said as IOC medical commission chief Prince Alexandre de Merode announced that Hunter had tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone four times since June.

"Still Inger's 28 and taking Merlene Ottey as a barometer she should have another three Olympics in her!" he added.

However, Hudson on a more serious note said that he hoped she would leave Sydney with a relay medal not just for her morale but also for her pocket.

"It's very expensive for the athletes who decide to stay outside the village (she is staying with 100m winner Maurice Greene, silver medallist Ato Boldon and Jon Drummond in a house in Coogee Bay)," he said.

"It will be a double blow morale wise if Inger returns to Los Angeles without having competed and having spent a lot of money in coming here," he added.

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