On Oct. 5, 2007, Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones admitted to lying about using performance-enhancing drugs during a 2000 investigation.
“(And so) it is with a great amount of shame that I stand before you and tell you that I have betrayed your trust,” said Jones tearfully on the U.S. Federal Courthouse steps in White Plains, New York. “I want you all to know that today I plead guilty to two counts of making false statements to federal agents.”
A former American athlete in track and field, Jones won two bronze and three gold medals in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. However, rumors surfaced that Jones was using performance-enhancing drugs to accomplish these amazing feats. Herex-husband, C.J. Hunter, a former shot-putter and confessed steroid user (he was banned from the 2000 Olympics for traces of nandrolone), swore under oath that he witnessed Jones using steroids in the Olympic Village.
In the BALCO case in 1999, Jones denied to federal investigators that she was using the steroid Tetrahydrogestrinone, more familiarly known as THG or “The Clear.” She claimed she was made to believe she was taking some flaxseed oil supplement.
Jones’ former coach, Trevor Graham, was involved in a major 2005 drug scandal, revealing that many athletes have used performance- enhancing drugs. Baseball player Barry Bonds was among the athletes involved. Jones denied using such drugs herself until earlier this month. In a published letter, Jones admitted she had used steroids until she stopped training with Graham in 2002; she later confessed to lying when federal agents questioned her in 2003, panicking when they presented a sample of THG.
“To you, my fans,” Jones said in her Oct. 5 speech, “including my young supporters, the United States Track and Field Association, my closest friends, my attorneys, and the most classy family a person could ever hope for-namely my mother, my husband, my children, my brother and his family, my uncle, and the rest of my extended family. I want you to know that I have been dishonest. And you have the right to be angry withme.”
With her family behind her at the podium, Jones then announced her retirement from the sport of track and field. As a result of her admission of guilt, Jones was asked to return the five medals won in the 2000 Summer Olympics. In addition, all awards and honors awarded to her since September 1, 2000, will be revoked.
International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) president Lamine Diack stated that Jones would be remembered as one of the biggest frauds in sporting history.
There are just as many willing to defend Jones’s character as there are those willing to attack it. Lauryn Williams, a 2004 Olympic silver medalist in the women’s 100 meters, posted in a blog at The Home of World Champions website (web.wcsn.com/index.jsp) that she had conflicting views toward the disgraced Olympian.
“When it comes to my feelings toward Marion, I am back and forth between sad for her unfortunate situation and angry at the mess she has created and left for current athletes to clean up.”
Williams then said that Jones had treated her “like a little sister” in the 2004 Olympics, and said she does not believe that Jones is a bad person. However, she does believe that Jones should attempt to redeem the sport.
“She shouldn’t go hide now in shame…she should speak to children about how not to make the same mistake,” Williams stated.
Former sprinter Ben Johnson wasn’t shocked by Jones’ confession. In fact, he says, he expected it.
“More athletes should admit they use banned drugs as well,” Johnson said.
Johnson himself ran a gold-winning, record-setting 9.79 seconds in the 100-meter race at the 1988 Seoul Olympics but was found to have used the steroid stanozolol and was stripped of both honors.
“I believe that everyone on the international level is using performance-enhancing drugs,” Johnson said in a radio interview with Al-Jazeera in London on Oct. 12, 2007.”And, you know, it’s widespread and it’s going to continue on. A lot more people [are] going to be also coming forward.”