Who is Marion Jones

October 2007:

Marion Jones, the owner of three Olympic golds and two bronze medals, came clean on October 5th 2007 and admitted she used steroids. She pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators when she denied using performance-enhancing drugs, then announced her retirement in a tearful apology outside the U.S. District Court.

"It's with a great amount of shame that I stand before you and tell you that I have betrayed your trust," Jones said, her voice cracking as her mother stood behind her, a strong and supportive hand on her shoulder.

"I have been dishonest and you have the right to be angry with me. I have let (my family) down. I have let my country down, and I have let myself down," she said, pausing frequently to regain her composure. "I recognize that by saying I'm deeply sorry, it might not be enough and sufficient to address the pain and hurt that I've caused you."

"Therefore, I want to ask for your forgiveness for my actions, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

As a result of these admissions, Jones accepted a two-year suspension from track and field competition, and announced her retirement from track and field on October 5, 2007.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency stated that the sanction "also requires disqualification of all her competitive results obtained after September 1, 2000, and forfeiture of all medals, results, points and prizes."
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