Track Explosion: Marion Jones Admits Anabolic Steroid Use

In an atomic explosion heard around the track world, Marion Jones will admit she not only doped with anabolic steroids prior to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but also lied to investigators about the drug doping.

The Washington Post dropped this bomb a few minutes ago (evening 10/4), in a story by Amy Shipley.  Jones sent out a letter to her family explaining an upcoming court procedure when she is to plead guilty to lying to federal investigators.  The Post obtained information from the letter. (Philip Hersh from the Chicago Tribune weighs in on Marion Jones 8 years of lies)

(from the Post) Track star Marion Jones has acknowledged using steroids as she prepared for the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney and plans to plead guilty tomorrow in New York to two counts of lying to federal agents about her drug use and an unrelated financial matter, according to a letter Jones sent to close family and friends.

Jones, who won five medals at the Sydney Olympics, said she took the steroid known as "the clear" for two years beginning in 1999, according to the letter, which was read to The Washington Post by a person who had been given a copy. A person familiar with Jones's legal situation who requested anonymity confirmed the relevant facts that were described in the letter.

Insiders, including authors of "Game of Shadows", accused Jones of using anabolic steroids, HGH, insulin, and modafinil.  Jones steadfastly denied these charges over the years.

Last summer there was a flurry of activity around Jones when it appeared she tested positive for EPO use, a surprising substance for a sprinter.  However the 'B' sample was apparently negative.

Jones now admits to using 'the clear' or THG a powerful anabolic, androgenic steroid hormone, synthesized by Patrick Arnold, distributed by Victor Conte and BALCO to her coach Trevor Graham.  She now admits to use of the anabolic steroid in 1999-2000.  Here is the Post's description:

Jones said her former coach, Trevor Graham, gave her the substance, telling her it was the nutritional supplement flaxseed oil and saying she should take it by putting two drops under her tongue. Graham, contacted by telephone today, said he had no comment...

Jones said she "trusted [Graham] and never thought for one second" she was using a performance-enhancing drug until after she left Graham's Raleigh, N.C.-based training camp at the end of 2002. "Red flags should have been raised when he told me not to tell anyone about" the supplement program, she said in the letter. She also said she noticed changes in how her body felt and how she was able to recover from workouts.

The clear, also known as THG, is a powerful steroid that was found to be at the center of the performance-enhancing drugs scandal known as Balco. More than a dozen track and field athletes have faced punishments for their use of the clear, which drug-testing authorities could not detect until Graham sent a sample of it to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in 2003.

The penalties?  Possibly suspension, possibly loss of medals/records:

Jones's admissions could cost her the three gold and two bronze medals she won in Sydney. In December 2004, the International Olympic Committee opened an investigation into allegations surrounding performance-enhancing drug use by Jones, once considered the greatest female athlete in the world.

In the past, Jones has vehemently denied using steroids or any performance-enhancing drugs.

The damn burst.  What pressures caused Jones to suddenly plead guilty to steroid use after years of denying that she used PEDs...no only denying but attacking accusers?  Legal consequences?

Once again, one of sports finest athletes has proven more adept at breaking records and winning medals than telling the truth.

 

Comments

[Matthew]

Despite her use of steroids, she should not be stripped of her medals. However, she should be banned from competition. Afterall, steroids or not, it took her hardwork to win the medal. You can go watch her races. Steroids or not, the amount of training put in is still phenomenal and she should keep the medal. http://www.snupped.com/marion-jones/

[Matt]

You're kidding Matthew, right? She was only able to put in the amount of training she did at the intensity she did because she was using steroids. Period. Without steroids she wouldn't have become the force that she did and likely would not have won those medals. She is a fraud, plain and simple.

[Drew]

She might be a fraud, but the unfortunate truth of the matter is she has to take drugs to be competitive. It's sad to say, but almost all the top track stars take steroids to maintain that competitive edge. It's just that a lot of them don't get caught (at least not yet). I know not all track athletes are taking drugs, but that handful is not among the top stars since they don't have that competitive edge (err, best drugs).

[malcolm w]

Her admission has dented the value of the sport world wide and made the wonderful Sydney Olympics track and field results looked very tarnished. the question that must be asked is how can the American anti-drug program be believed in the future. they keep getting negative results and then the world finds out that American Athletes and those overseas stars training in America have cheated!

[Matt]

Unfortunately Drew is right...this is not a problem unique to American athletes or to cycling. The prestige and money (via endoresments) that come from international athletic success have virtually guaranteed that most of the top performers are using PEDs. A "clean" test means nothing when you are using undetectable substances (HGH, etc.) or understand how to manage your use in a way that doesn't cross the test thresholds. It's sad.

However, drop into your local big-box gym and have a look around...you'll be astounded by the number of "regular" guys that are on gear these days. It's not a problem that's unique to big-time athletics.

[karunathilaka Dharmasiri]

i need Marion Jones email addres

[marlon]

she is one of my best sport celeb and she has desive me, her fans and most of all herself . she should be ashamed t show her face in public or even prison.she must face the toughtess sentance and its a good thing medals were stripped away from her because she didnt deserve it .

[Jackie]

Mathew--i back you up 100 percent. Seriously, why don't you go shoot your self up with roids. You'll look different obviously, but you won't be any stronger or faster unless you train your ass off. She definatly could of won with out steroids. It was a dumb mistake.