She won the 1999 World Championships at 200 meters because Jones injured her back and couldn't compete in the finals. Sports reporters aren't always the sharpest tacks in the box, but we know a compelling story when we see one. Unless the 10th man on the Sixers' bench makes a game-winning shot, we're going to Allen Iverson. And until Inger Miller, Chryste Gaines or some other woman actually beats Marion Jones in a race instead of just talking about doing it, the Queen of Track is going to keep getting the largest audience when she holds court. That's just the way these things work.
Sports is a star-driven industry.
Just ask Antonio Pettigrew, who finished third to Johnson in the 400-meter finals on Sunday. Pettigrew said after being asked four brief questions while sitting on stage with Johnson during a 20-minute interview session. Pettigrew was lucky. He got two more questions than runner-up Alvin Harrison, who qualified for his first Olympics. Hey, at least they got a word in edgewise.