Jones and Montgomery have been training partners for a number of years

The 27-year-old and her partner Tim Montgomery, the 100m world record holder, are to become parents in July.

The pair got together last year after Jones split from her husband, former shot-putt champion CJ Hunter.

"We're just very thrilled to begin this new stage of our relationship and our lives," Jones told the Los Angeles Times.

"I've always wanted to have a family and I've been blessed to have the wonderful family I already have. I'm so thrilled to say this now, so I can have a really normal, normal pregnancy."

I'm feeling great Marion Jones

Jones, who won 100m, 200m and 4x400m relay golds at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, says she intends to resume training later this year to prepare for the 2004 Games in Athens.

But she insisted she would be keeping a keen eye on events in Paris in the meantime.

"I look forward to watching Tim compete and seeing how the ladies run at the World Championships and I look forward to getting back in training for Athens," she said.

"The timing is great in terms of when the baby will be born. I'm confident I'll have plenty of time to be ready in 2004."

Montgomery, who has a daughter from a previous relationship, said he was thrilled by the news.

"I couldn't think of a more beautiful thing to share with such a wonderful person," he said.