Athletics:Jones confident of winning double sprint gold

Marion Jones threw down a challenge to her rivals as she prepares to launch her bid for a double sprint gold at the IAAF World Championships in Edmonton.

The 25-year-old American is due to take to her blocks for the opening heat of the 100 metres.

Jones' bid for four golds at the last world championships two years ago floundered after she won the 100m when she finished third in the long jump and broke down in the 200m semi-final.

But at last year's Olympics, she completed a 100/200m double also won gold on the 4x400m relay and took bronze in the long jump and the 4x100m relay.

Jones is skipping the long jump this year to concentrate on the sprint events where she is clear favourite having clocked the best times in the world in the 100m and 200m.

"I'm afraid of nothing this year," Jones said.

"I need more gold medals and I hope I will dominate athletics for another few years. Maybe then I'll finish my career as a legend."

Jones' main rival in the 100m could be training partner Chandra Sturrup of the Bahamas, while in the 200m fellow American Inger Miller, given a wild-card as a defending champion, will be hoping to rediscover her 1999 form.

But despite being the fastest woman in the world, Jones is still waiting to hear if she will be a part of the 4x100m relay team having not originally been named after opting to miss a training camp.