RALEIGH, N.C. -- The world's fastest baby came much quicker than expected.

Olympic champion Marion Jones and world record holder Tim Montgomery announced the birth of their son, Tim Montgomery. The baby was born Saturday at about 10 p.m. at Duke University Hospital in Durham and weighed just 5 pounds, 14 ounces but was healthy.

Jones, who won five medals at the 2000 Olympics, was due to give birth in July.

"I am so happy," Jones said in a statement released by her publicist, Lewis Kay. "This is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. He's a beautiful baby, and Tim and I could not be more excited."

Montgomery, who set the world record in the 100 meters of 9.78 seconds last September, was at the Norwich Union International race in Glasgow, Scotland, when he received news of the birth early Sunday.

He was en route to North Carolina and was disappointed he could not be there for the birth of his son.

"We knew we'd have a fast baby, but I didn't expect him to be this fast," Montgomery said, joking. "It was very stressful for me not to be right there with Marion. We just didn't think he'd come this soon. But I'm relieved to know they are both doing very well and I can't wait to see them."

The official due date was July 21 but the couple expected the child to be born earlier because athletes training through pregnancy tend to give birth ahead of the due date.

When Montgomery found out about the birth, he decided not to run in the race so he could search for ways to fly home. But after an encouraging telephone conversation with Jones, he decided to run.

Despite one hour of sleep, Montgomery finished second in the 100 behind Dwain Chambers.

Jones and the baby will remain in the hospital Sunday but are expected to be released shortly. She plans to return to the track in September to start training for the Athens Olympics in 2004.

This is Jones' first child. Montgomery has a daughter, Tyhamia, born in 2001.

Information from The Associated Press and Reuters was used in this report.