Marion Jones Faces Jail Time, Probation, and Community Service

Marion Jones, the once charismatic sprinter who quickly entered our minds and heart as she triumphed at the Olympics or broke prestigious records of speed, has been declared a fraud. Jones will now have to pay for making the wrong decisions and then lying about them. According to Bloomberg.com, a judge has sentenced Jones to six months of her life behind bars to be served no later than March 11th at a prison camp for women located in Bryan, Texas.

All of this comes after a guilty plead to two counts of obstruction of justice (pertaining to her illegal steroid use), as well as a check-cashing scheme (with fellow athlete Tim Montgomery), which failed to see as much media attention.

Despite Jones' teary plead to remain with her two young sons (aged seven months and four years); U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas remained solid in his decision. In addition to six months in prison, 800 hours of community service tacked onto two years of probation awaits Jones upon her release. Ironically, she will spend her hours instructing children on the importance of telling the truth.

When Jones stepped up to the podium to declare her innocence at a press conference not to long ago, she put her heart and soul on the line. I whole-heartedly believed she had joined the ranks of victims attacked by Barry Bonds-type witch-hunters (who by the way - I still believe is innocent). Up until this time, no one really suspected that the beloved queen of track and field could have taken performance-enhancing drugs. She had obviously slipped by public scrutiny and her accomplishments were viewed as a God-given talent.

With a glamorous persona both on and off of the track, she was larger than life in the sporting world. She won five medals in the 2000 Olympics, including three golds. However, I should have seen the signs.

When Jones left her first husband (shot-putter C.J. Hunter) when he tested positive for steroids (and was banned from the Olympics in Sydney), I thought to myself, "Wow, that's pretty cold." Was she trying to distance herself from someone who could possibly blow her cover?

As she dazzled in competitions soon after giving birth, my boyfriend even muttered, "She's on drugs." Of course, I defended her, but like everyone else, apparently I've been duped.

Her medals have been stripped and she's caused an uproar within the sporting community, as debates have centered on whether or not second place will claim a gold or if her fellow relay mates will face consequences. I vividly remember the 2000 Olympics, as I watched her strive to reach her goal to bring home five gold medals. The performance-enhancing drugs were all a waste - they didn't even work - she fell short of her goal and wound up embarrassing America, her teammates, and then landed in the clink.

So, with anger and a complete lack of sympathy, I'm totally disappointed that Jones allowed herself to succumb to the lures of steroids. I've lost a lot of respect for the woman known for flashing her signature smile and trotting victoriously with the American flag clutched in her hands. What a waste...

Sources

Patricia Hurtado, " Marion Jones Gets Six-Month Term for Obstruction." Bloomberg.com.