Marion Jones Pleads Guilty In Steroid Case

[Beowulf]

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = AT /><AT:CLASS></AT:CLASS>For years, Marion Jones angrily denied using steroids. On Friday, she admitted it was all a lie. The three-time Olympic gold medalist pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators when she denied using performance-enhancing drugs, and announced her retirement after the hearing. Jones also pleaded guilty to a second count of lying to investigators about her association with a check-fraud scheme.
<AT:CLASS></AT:CLASS>Outside the U.S. District Court, Jones broke down in tears as she apologized for her actions, saying she understands she has disappointed her friends, family and supporters.
<AT:CLASS></AT:CLASS>"I want you to know that I have been dishonest and you have the right to be angry with me," said, pausing frequently to regain her composure while her mother stood behind her, a supportive hand on Jones' shoulder. "I have let (my family) down. I have let my country down, and I have let myself down.
<AT:CLASS></AT:CLASS>"I recognize that by saying I'm deeply sorry, it might not be enough and sufficient to address the pain and hurt that I've caused you. Therefore, I want to ask for your forgiveness for my actions, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

http://kevxml2adsl.verizon.net/_1_D1STO102NEDMK9__vzn.dsl/apnws/story.htm?kcfg=apart&sin=D8S3IUD01&qcat=sports&ran=31261&passqi=&feed=ap&top=1
She had the guts to own up to it, is making no excuses and is accepting responsibility for it. Only Jason Giambi of the Yankees was the other one to fess up to it. I respect them both for it. She has also surrendered her Olympic medals.

Of course, Balco was at the center of the controversy. I wonder if Barry Bonds will ever come clean

[DesertFox]

Barry Bonds isn't man-enough to come clean. He's one who just wants to win, no matter how dishonest or who gets hurt.

[Beowulf]

It'll be interesting who signs Bonds next year. I'm just SSOOO glad it won't be Boston.

Maybe Steinbrenner will sign him. He likes guys who do roids on his team. (Giambi, Sheffield)

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Ummm ... brudder Beo? Your link goes to some story about a guy hitting a home run in the 9th -- nothing about Jones.


Since I haven't read the story, the only thing I want to know is WHY she came clean? Was it because she was under investigation, part of an investigation? If so, I have less respect for her "owning-up" than if she came forward on her own out of the blue. MANY people fess-up when they've been caught, and usually their contrition is due to the fact that they're sorry they got caught and not so much because of the wrong-doing.

Of course, this may not be her case, and if so, I am glad she faced up to her actions. Still, she should lose her medals. There are, and should be, consequences for one's actions.

[BabyBeastie]

She's "sorry" she got caught...just like Michael Vick.

I saw those crocodile tears in the beginning of her statements and she was reading from a script, too. She's no different from any other sociopath. They're all born liars and deceivers. She did manage to squeeze out a few real tears toward the end, but those tears were from the sorrow or extreme frustration of getting caught.

Don't let the pretty face fool you. She's as devious as any serial killer.

Homes got it right.

[Wolfcounsel]

"She had the guts to own up to it, is making no excuses and is accepting responsibility for it. Only Jason Giambi of the Yankees was the other one to fess up to it. I respect them both for it." -Beowulf

It takes courage to own up to something bad before you get caught. I agree with BB. She's sorry she got caught.

[Beowulf]

Ummm ... brudder Beo? Your link goes to some story about a guy hitting a home run in the 9th -- nothing about Jones.




I fixed the link. Thanks for the head's up, Sis.

BTW, that "guy" was Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox, who launched a 1-0 pitch out of Fenway Park in Boston last night to win game #2 against the Anaheim Angels. God that was fun to listen too!!

[Diabolita23]

I feel sorry for her. Especially after seeing this (http://gloob.tv/sports/jones_admits_steroid_use?article=1976). Having done nutritional programs for athletes I can tell you that many don't know what they are taking. Many of them have no interest in learning about nutrition, why would they if there's a nutrition professional advising them on their meals and feeding them supplements? I am glad to see the awareness of steroid abuse increase. I hope it leads to people being more aware of what substances of all kinds they are putting into them, including ones built into their food.

[BabyBeastie]

She also won several relay races, which means her teammates will have to give up their medals, too...even (if) though they didn't juice up.

Brietbart dot com (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8S5CJEO1&show_article=1&catnum=5)

[Diabolita23]

That sucks. I heard she had the most medals of any female (three gold, two bronze). Now who does?

[BuckeyeMike]

I'mgonnafeelrillyrillysorryforhershedsometearscrym yeyes outcommiseratehowbadsheisbeingtreatedbecauseofhers kincolorandallthatshitthere,ifeelbetteralreadythan kyouverymuch!

[PaulRevere]

Not that it's an excuse, but most of them do it. They pretty much have to, because if they don't, they won't be competitive. Most NFL players, pro wrestlers, and so on have a choice of cheating with drugs or losing their jobs to those that do.

Mark McGuire go away with it, as have many others.

In that perspective, I neither condemn nor feel particularly sorry for Marion Jones. She didn't make the rules, she just chose to break them like so many others. If she hadn't been a winner, nobody would care.

[DeclinetoState]

I think what PaulRevere says is true. It was just about "par for the course" (BTW, why isn't golf an Olympic sport? We've got synchronized swimming and diving and rhythmic gymnastics, but not golf--and I hate golf, too! :D ), especially during the Cold War era. Many of the "female" athletes from the Soviet bloc countries had swarthy complexions and deep voices. Either they were male-to-female transsexuals, or they were taking stuff that would be illegal today and was probably illegal then.

[Diabolita23]

I'd like to see a sport where steroids and all sorts of enhancements, chemical, technological, hypnosis... whatever - was all legal. Now there's an American sport.