Olympic Star Disgraced

Marion Jones returns medals after admitting steroid use

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Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones addresses the media outside the federal courthouse Oct. 5, 2007, in White Plains, N.Y. Jones pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators when she denied using performance-enhancing drugs. (Photo: ©Mary Altaffer/AP Images)

After admitting last week in court that she had used steroids, Olympic track star Marion Jones returned her five medals from the 2000 Sydney Games on Monday.

Jones handed over the three gold medals and two bronzes to the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and U.S. Anti–Doping Agency representatives at her lawyer’s office in Austin, Texas. All five medals will eventually be returned to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"It is our opinion when any sporting event is won unfairly, [what is won] is completely tarnished and should be returned," said USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth. "[It] is unfair to the other athletes of the world."

Jones earned gold medals in the 100–and 200–meter events at the 2000 Summer Olympics, as well as the 1,600 meter relay. She took home the bronze in the 400 relay and the long jump.

Admission of Guilt

On Friday, a tearful Jones pleaded guilty to charges that she lied to federal investigators about taking steroids.

"It’s with a great amount of shame that I stand before you and tell you that I have betrayed your trust," said Jones outside the courthouse. "I have been dishonest. I have let my country down, and I have let myself down."

Last week in court, Jones disclosed that she had, in fact, used the steroid known as "The Clear" from September 2000 to July 2001. During her testimony, she claimed that her trainer had told her the substance she was using was flaxseed oil. It wasn’t until November of 2003, she said, that she realized she was taking performance–enhancing drugs.

"The Clear" has been at the center of the Bay Area Laboratory Co–Operative (BALCO) steroids scandal that has rocked the professional sports world in recent years.

Baseball’s Barry Bonds is believed to be linked to BALCO, but he has flatly denied using steroids. Instead, he insists that he, too, thought the product given to him by his trainer was flaxseed oil.

Ruined Reputation

Under current rules, the IOC has the authority to seize the medals and void the results of any athlete found guilty of using steroids. On Monday, Jones agreed to have her winning results voided dating back to September 1, 2000.

If the IOC does decide to strip Jones of her results, the final standings in the events in which she cheated will be changed. The second–place finisher will be awarded the gold, the third place finisher will be presented with the silver, and the athlete who placed fourth will finally be honored with a well–deserved bronze medal.

Until last week, Jones had rejected any and all allegations that she had ever used steroids. Now, seven years after she rose to glory at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia, she is facing possible jail time for lying to federal investigators about taking steroids. But perhaps worse than that, her name will forever be linked with cheating.

Critical Thinking Question

Read today’s story and answer the following question.

Karen Fanning is a contributing writer for Scholastic News Online.

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