In this 2000 photo, Marion Jones shows off the five gold medals she won in the Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Posted on 12/08/2004 8:08:41 AM PST by Former Military Chick
Her five medals from the 2000 Olympics are at risk after allegations in the Balco steroid case.
LONDON - The IOC opened an investigation yesterday into doping allegations against Marion Jones, who could eventually be stripped of her five medals from the 2000 Olympics.
In this 2000 photo, Marion Jones shows off the five gold medals she won in the Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge set up a disciplinary commission to look into the claims made by Victor Conte, head of the California-based lab accused of illegally distributing steroids.
Conte told ABC's 20/20 in a broadcast aired Friday that he gave Jones performance-enhancing drugs before and after the Sydney Olympics. He said he watched Jones inject herself with human growth hormone.
"The allegations made by Mr. Conte are extremely serious and the IOC is fully committed to bringing to light any elements that will help the truth prevail," the IOC said in a statement.
Jones won three gold medals (100 meters, 200 and 4x400 relay) and two bronze (long jump and 400 relay) in Sydney. She repeatedly has denied ever using banned drugs, and has threatened to sue Conte for defamation.
Attorney Rich Nichols reiterated that Jones has consistently denied use of performance-enhancing drugs, passed a lie-detector test, and has maintained the same physical appearance.
"Victor Conte is someone who is under federal indictment, facing serious prison time and has a record of issuing a host of contradictory, inconsistent statements," Nichols said in a statement. "Victor Conte's allegations are not true and the truth will be revealed for the world to see as the legal process moves forward."
The U.S. Olympic Committee supported the IOC action.
"There is no room in Olympic sports for the use of banned and illegal substances," USOC spokesman Darryl Seibel said. "If an investigation by the IOC will bring an end to speculation or allegations involving any athlete, that will be helpful."
World Anti-Doping Agency chief Dick Pound, a senior IOC member, has said Jones should be stripped of her medals if Conte is telling the truth. Any decision on the medals would be made by the IOC executive board.
Rogge advocates a "zero tolerance" policy on doping.
"I hope the truth will emerge," he said last week. "We want the truth. We want to know what happened and the more we know, the better."
Under the IOC charter, Olympic decisions can be challenged within three years of the games' closing ceremony. The Sydney Olympics ended more than four years ago, on Oct. 1, 2000.
But Thomas Bach, the German lawyer and IOC member who heads the three-member investigative panel, said the three-year rule shouldn't apply in this case.
If any of these folks to anything that was illegal they must return their medals and frankly never be allowed to play in that sport again.
I am just very aggravated.
If she did it and they can prove it all her medals need to be removed no matter how long ago the olypics were. She should also face a lifetime ban from any association with track and field.
Her former husband Steven Hunter was found to have steroids in his system and was disqualified from the olympics. I don't know if the took steroids or not but the fact that she was married to a guy who did and was associated with Balco who did supply steroids to Jason Giambi doesn't bode well for her.
I have a very close friend on mine who is a track professional who lives and trains here in Gainesville. My friend says that. indeed, there are people in the track world that are doping (through various different ways), but he doesn't think that Marion is one of them.
He has been running professionally for almost 10 years, is a clean athlete, and he abhores anyone in the profession that is doping. I can't imagine that he would side with Marion if he even remotely suspected that she wasn't clean.
So, we will see what happens, but based on my converstions with a good friend of mine, I'm giving her the benefit of doubt.
It's a lousy situation, but I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt. She passed numerous tests for steroids and other banned substances and was found clean every time. Just as folks who hate success, especially American success, tried to spread rumors about Lance Armstrong, I will be of the opinion that there are other issues that makes someone willing to lie about her. Until there is real proof, she gets my vote of support.
I agree, one is innocent until proven otherwise. But, for the sake of the sport, she should try and resolve all issues as soon as possible. Delays are not good for her, her sport and those who enjoy the sport.
Armstrong is an excellent example. I find myself not doubting Lance, but, he has been so aggresive in maintaining his good name, the only thing you die with, those who are questioned should look to him as a roadmap.
Sports page, crime blotter. Same thing :(
God Bless
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