Marion Jones Drug Scandal

On October 5, 2007, track star Marion Jones admitted to the use of performance-enhancing drugs to federal investigators, claiming her use spanned back to 1999. Marion Jones won five Olympic medals in track and field, three of which were gold, at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. She also holds numerous records in track events. The International Olympic Committee is now revoking the medals. According to Jones, in 1999 her coach Trevor Graham gave her a substance to take daily which he claimed was flaxseed oil, and told her not to tell anyone that she was taking it. It turned out the substance was not flaxseed oil, but tetrahydrogestrinone, a substance nicknamed “the clear.” In 2003, Jones’ was interviewed by federal investigators regarding tetrahydrogestrinone. Jones’ was shown what tetrahydrogestrinone looked like, and realized that this substance was the flaxseed oil that her coach had given her four years earlier. Jones’ claims it was not until that point that she realized she was taking performance-enhancing drugs, yet did not confess to the feds that she had taken the drug. It wasn’t until recently, when federal prosecutors investigated Jones’ of writing a fraudulent check, that Jones’ confessed to her actions. Jones’ may face up to six-month sentence. Since her confession, Jones’ has written letters of apology to her family and friends.

Unknown Terms: tetrahydrogestrinone

Tetrahydrogestrinone, also known as THG and “The Clear” was a drug made by the northern California BALCO company. It is a steroid that was (at the time of development) undetectable in drug tests.

I think it’s unfortunate that Marion Jones, who was once hailed a great athlete, took performance-enhancing drugs. Now she will have no endorsements, which were probably the main source of her income, and no sport to train in (since she announced retirement after admitting to steroid use). I find it hard to believe that she had no idea that she was taking a performance-enhancing drug, thinking it was flaxseed oil. The red flag to me is that her coach told her not to tell anyone that she was taking it. I also read that her coach has been indicted, which I think is fair, and I think his punishment should be the same if not more if found guilty.

Lance Pugmire. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Oct 6, 2007. pg. D.1