Olympian Marion Jones to Admit to Steroid Use

Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones is due in a U.S. District Courtroom in White Plains, N.Y., on Friday to make a stunning admission – and plead guilty to charges she used steroids.

The plea comes after years of angry denials by Jones, 31, who in 2000 won five medals in Sydney – three gold and two bronze track and field medals – and was the most celebrated female athlete of the games.

Jones is expected to be stripped of her medals in light of the revelations. Under the statute of limitations, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other sports organizations have eight years to withdraw medals and nullify results.

On Thursday, The Washington Post first reported that the track star would go public with the admission. She also sent family members and close friends a letter in which she owned up to using steroids, including one known as "the clear," for two years beginning in 1999, according to the letter.

"I want to apologize for all of this," The Post quotes Jones from one of the letters. "I am sorry for disappointing you all in so many ways."

She also said in the written message that she faced up to six months in jail and would be sentenced in three months, reports the paper.

In 2004, the IOC announced it was investigating doping charges leveled against the Olympian, and IOC president Jacques Rogge set up a commission to look into the claims made by Victor Conte, head of a California-based lab accused of illegally distributing steroids.

At the time, Jones threatened to sue Conte for defamation.

Besides serving possible jail time, Jones conceivably may face a lengthy competition ban from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, the Associated Press reports.

Re: Olympian Marion Jones to Admit to Steroid Use

Wow. What a huge disappointment...not so much shock.

Re: Olympian Marion Jones to Admit to Steroid Use

Strip her of her medals and records...I totally agree with that. She cheated. But I don't know about jail time, what's the point? She cheated at SPORTS, she didn't commit armed robbery.

Re: Olympian Marion Jones to Admit to Steroid Use

Wow...I think she took "The Clear." We run a column written by the guy/chemist who created it...I know; I know...bad.

Re: Olympian Marion Jones to Admit to Steroid Use

Re: Olympian Marion Jones to Admit to Steroid Use

i thought the jail time is because she lied under oath in federal court or hearing

Re: Olympian Marion Jones to Admit to Steroid Use

she was trhe size of a giant!!!..no real shocker here

Re: Olympian Marion Jones to Admit to Steroid Use