Marion Jones admits to steroid use at 2000 Olympics

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Jones 'admits to Olympic doping' | The Australian

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AMERICAN sprint queen Marion Jones has reportedly acknowledged using steroids as she prepared for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

According to the Washington Post, Jones plans to plead guilty to two counts of lying to federal agents about her drug use and an unrelated financial matter.

Jones sent a letter to close family and friends in which she said said her former coach Trevor Graham gave her the banned drug, telling her it was flaxseed oil.

'I want to apologise for all of this," she said, according to the person reading the letter, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"I am sorry for disappointing you all in so many ways."

In the letter, Jones said she took the steroid produced by the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative (BALCO) known as "the clear'' for two years beginning in 1999.

Jones, 31, won five medals, including three gold, at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. (continues)

A real harsh message needs to be sent to all athletes who believe they can cheat their way into glory. Marion Jones needs to have all of the medals she won at the 2000 Olympics taken away from her so that they can be awarded to the true winners of the events she raced in, and her records expunged from the books. She has brought shame upon a great sport.