By Norma Palacios
On October 8, former track and field star Marion Jones has returned five 2000 Sydney Olympics medals to the International Olympic Committee. This comes after she pleaded guilty to the use of steroids a few days earlier.
The 31-year-old, who in an open letter said that she indeed lied to federal investigators after years of denial, about not using performance-enhancing drugs, retired from the sport that made her a household name.
During the Olympics, Jones won gold in the 100 and 200 meter sprints, the 1600 meter relay, and took the bronze in the 400 meter relay and long jump.
In the letter, Jones said, “Agents asked me if I had ever seen this substance called the 'clear,' and they then showed it to me. Up to that point, I had heard about this steroid, but had never seen it, or so I thought. When shown the substance I recognized it immediately as the supplement that Trevor Graham had given me,” she says. "He had referred to as “flaxseed oil,” and I knew at that moment that I had taken it for nearly 2 years. I panicked and told the agents that I had never seen the substance before. It was a lie. I indeed had seen it before. but was introduced to it under a different name."
At the beginning of her career, Jones had multi-million dollar endorsements, however, seven years after winning the five metals, she was broke and a $2.5 million foreclosure followed on her home.
Her admission of using steroids is not the only thing she’s linked to. She was also involved in a counter-forfeiting scheme.
The IOC is calling for teammates who competed in the 100 and 200 meter sprints with Jones to give back their bronze medals as well.
At least one teammate says that the others should not give them up despite the disgrace that has come of Jones.
Passion Richardson said, “I competed fairly, and I should not have to suffer the consequences for someone else's bad decisions and choices,” in an interview on CBS’ “The Early Show.”
Richardson, Chryste Gaines, Torri Edwards, and Nanceen Perry competed with Jones. Both Edwards and Gaines have served doping bans since the 2000 Olympics.
Despite that, Richardson continued saying, “I'm not happy with the fact that my character is going to now come into question as to whether or not I was using steroids. I wasn't.” Jamaican Tayna Lawrence, who finished third to Jones in the 100 meter race in Sydney said that she is glad that the truth is out about Jones after all of the ensuing speculations.
“I think finally justice is served,” she said. “I am just happy that it is out.”
In end, Jones received a two-year ban for lying about the use of steroids and United States’ Olympic Chief Peter Ueberroth apologized to the organizers and other competitors of the Sydney 2000 Games.
“We have written a letter of sincere and humble apology to the 205 national Olympic committees. In addition, we apologize to the athletes who were denied the podium and the chance to hear their national anthems.”
