Disgraced Track Star Marion Jones Sentenced To Six Months In Prison
Well the hard times for disgraced track and field star Marion Jones are not over. After Jones admitted to lying she not only has been stripped of her medals. I agree that Jones should be punished but isn’t this a bit extreme? Jones the mother of two young children is now sentenced to six months in prison. My goodness I think that’s kind of harsh. Hasn’t Jones had enough humiliation? However, Jones lied under oath and this is the price she is going to pay. It looks like the USA judicial system really wants to make an example of Ms. Jones.
I wonder will the USA sports media turn up the heat on golden boy of USA cycling Lance Armstrong? I am guessing now Lance Armstrong is always going to claim his innocence. I just do not believe a human can have the super human results Lance Armstrong had in cycling without doping. I don’t think it is possible for a guy coming back from testicular cancer to win the Tour De France seven times in a row. Lance’s friend Floyd Landis was stripped of his 2006 title. Landis and Armstrong are friends. Landis and Armstrong pledged their allegiance to each other in the media. Suddenly, Armstrong is distancing himself from Landis. I wonder when will Floyd Landis spill the dirt on Armstrong? I think Landis knows a lot about Armstrong and I think time will tell how much longer Landis will be loyal to his so called friend Lance Armstrong.
The one thing about Marion Jones that kind of makes me have less sympathy for her is that she was so adamant that she wasn’t taking steroids. My mother says you cannot be “wrong and strong”. Marion knew she was wrong nobody forced her to cheat she made that choice and now she must face the consequences for her actions. I remember watching the press conferences and seeing a defiant Jones insist she wasn’t cheating. I knew back then she was lying but my family and friends told me I was wrong. Now this isn’t about what is wrong this is about the system. I saw Roger Clemens on 60 Minutes and I just don’t believe him. I wonder if the USA media will go after Armstrong and Clemens with the same intensity they went after Ms. Jones?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080111/ap_on_sp_ol/oly_run_marion_jones_doping
Gayblackcanada 
I don’t know what to say about Marion Jones…or Floyd Landis for that matter, but I believe Lance is innocent. I think he’s just THAT good.
His life is an irresistible, fairy-tale, feel-good story, but still… I think Lance is innocent. He was probably the most tested athlete in the world in his 7 year championship run. Most tested by a long shot. Mostly random, unscheduled tests too. And he passed every single one.
With that said, drugs and performance enhancers are increasing too fast in sports these days. On one hand, society is harshly punishing those who get caught (like Jones), but society is also the one who pressures and glorifies athletes to the point that they look at enhancers at a necessity. I don’t think it’s a matter of “catching up” in regulations and tests. The whole society and media culture have to be re-evaluated and changed before this turns back into the right direction.
I love sports. I just hope my grandchildren will be able to love it as much as I do.
Michael just remember that Marion Jones also never tested positive for steroids during her track career. So just because Lance Armstrong didn’t test positive doesn’t mean he wasn’t on anything. Jones used a substance called “the clear” it is undetectable with even the most advanced drug tests. There have been theories out there that perhaps Armstrong used “the clear” as well.
I’ve heard of this super-advanced miracle drug that she took…but first of all, I’m not sure how effective the drug would be for the Tour de France as opposed to Olympic sprinting. Second, I still don’t think Track and Field organizations test nearly as frequently or as rigorously as Tour De France organizations, even though every 4 years, the Olympics get pretty tough for all athletes, at least as far as drug tests are concerned. But that’s every 4 years.
But I’m not really trying to argue with you or anything. I just tend to trust the intense scrutinizing and testing of the cycling authorities more than baseball or track or most any other sport’s governing bodies. You have to believe the French and the rest of the Europeans didn’t exactly enjoy seeing this cocky American win every damn year…always being highlighted in a flamboyant, yellow shirt no less. And I think Armstrong’s bitterness towards the cycling authorities is probably due to all the hoops they no doubt made him jump through — testing being a major part of that.
I’m sorry for the long comment. I’m really not trying to argue with you…really.
But until either Armstrong is proven guilty, he admits using performance enhancers, or some US Postal Service teammate or trainer comes out and says something half-way valid (I’m not even sure if anyone has said anything totally incredible and blatantly false), he is free from my personal suspicions.
Michael don’t worry about it, you wrote your response in an intelligent and eloquent manner. We just have a difference in opinion. You are entitled to your opinions. I think this is one of the most important aspects of a blog allowing people to express themselves and provide their own arguments.
I agree with Orville that just b/c Armstrong did not test +ve doesn’t mean he is in the clear.
So sad about Marion Jones — another one bites the dust
thanks for the understanding. I’m usually pessimistic about these things, but I guess Lance Armstrong is one thing I’m trying to be idealistic with. I hope I’m right.
I like the blog. I’ll probably drop in from time to time. I’ll give you a link on mine when I get around to it.
I have no sympathy for dopers.
There are so many who work their azz’s off — legitimately.