American track and field star Marion Jones is denying allegations that she received performance-enhancing drugs from Victor Conte, the founder of Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative.

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting Conte told federal investigators that Jones received the performance-enhancing substances in exchange for the endorsement of his nutritional supplement.

Jones' boyfriend, Tim Montgomery, also allegedly received drugs from BALCO.

Marion Jones says she knew nothing about the cheque that issued to BALCO founder Victor Conte. (CP Photo)
Marion Jones says she knew nothing about the cheque that issued to BALCO founder Victor Conte. (CP Photo)

Jones won an unprecedented five track medals – three of them gold – at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Montgomery holds the world record of 9.78 seconds in the 100 metres.

Joseph Burton, Jones' lawyer, issued a statement refuting the allegations.

"Victor Conte is either lying or the statement was involuntarily coerced," Burton said. "This is a character assassination of the worst kind."

According to the San Jose Mercury News, Conte told federal agents the names of 27 athletes he supplied with steroids. In addition to Jones and Montgomery, baseball players Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield were also allegedly given performance-enhancing substances.

On Saturday, the New York Times reported that bank records showed a link between Jones and Conte.

A cheque for $7,350 US was written from Jones' bank account to Conte, an unnamed source told the newspaper.

Jones said she has no knowledge of the cheque.

"I'm confident in the near future my name will be cleared from this whole situation," Jones said. "The people that truly do know me, know what kind of person I am."

The Times artical said Jones didn't sign or authorize the cheque to Conte. It was deposited on Sept. 8, 2000, a week before the Sydney Olympics.

Earlier this year, after the grand jury investigated BALCO, authorities charged Conte, James Valente, Greg Anderson, Remi Korchemny with distributing steroids.

Valente is BALCO's vice president. Anderson is Bonds' personal trainer and Korchemny is a renowned track and field coach. All four men have pleaded not guilty to charges.