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Marion Jones admits steroid use
http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/bathleticsb-marion-jones-could-face-jail-over-steroid-use-lie/2007/10/06/1191091403295.html
October 6, 2007 - 10:00AM
After years of dodging doping allegations, US track star Marion Jones
has admitted that she took banned steroids, in a move that could see
her stripped of her Olympic medals.
Jones, 31, appeared in a court in White Plains, New York, where she
pleaded guilty to a charge of lying to federal agents over her drug
use and an unrelated fraud charge.
The charges carry a maximum 10 years in jail, but prosecutors said
they would recommend a sentence of up to six months for the athlete,
who announced her retirement in a tearful press conference outside the
court.
In a statement read out to the court, Jones admitted using the steroid
THG, produced by the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative (BALCO) and known
as "the clear," from September 2000 until July 2001.
"In September 2000, before the Sydney Olympics, (former coach Trevor)
Graham began providing me with a substance he told me was flaxseed
oil," she said.
"I continued to use this substance until July 2001.
"By November 2003, I realised that what Graham had given to me was a
performance-enhancing drug," Jones told the court.
The dates are in contrast to a letter Jones reportedly wrote to
friends and family ahead of the court hearing in which she was said to
have admitted using steroids for two years beginning in 1999.
Jones, once hailed as the greatest woman athlete in the world, was one
of many high-profile athletes who testified before a federal grand
jury investigating BALCO, a probe that has resulted in five
convictions.
Jones' former partner Tim Montgomery was banished and his world 100
meters record run erased based on evidence collected in the BALCO
probe.
Jones herself had steadfastly denied ever using performance-enhancing
drugs, even as the BALCO-spawned suspicions swirled around her.
She sued BALCO founder Victor Conte -- who was convicted of steroid
peddling -- for defamation over his accusations on US television that
she was a drugs cheat, later settling out of court.
US Olympic Committee chairman Peter Ueberroth welcomed Jones's
"overdue" confession, and called on her to return her Olympic medals.
"Like any athlete who breaks the rules, Ms. Jones has earned whatever
punishment the legal and anti-doping systems hand out," Ueberroth
said.
"Her acceptance of responsibility does not end with today's admission,
however.
"As further recognition of her complicity in this matter, Ms. Jones
should immediately step forward and return the Olympic medals she won
while competing in violation of the rules."
Australia's Olympic chief John Coates also welcomed reports of Jones'
admission and said she should be stripped of the medals she won in
Sydney.
Jones now becomes one of the highest-profile athletes convicted of
using banned drugs, joining a hall of shame including Canadian Ben
Johnson and the 100 metres Olympics gold medallist of 2004, Justin
Gatlin.
Jones won five medals including three golds at the 2000 Sydney
Olympics, all of which now appear to be in jeopardy, not only for her
but also for her relay teammates, who share a gold for the 4x400m and
a bronze for the 4x100m.
She is due to be sentenced on January 11.
AFP
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