Letter To The Editor

[gh]

(just came in by e-mail--writer didn't really want it published)

Potential future conversation:

IAAF: Marion, could we please have your gold medal from the Edmonton
4x1 back?

Marion: Why?

IAAF: Unfortunately, one of your teammates, not you, was using
performance enhancing drugs, in violation of our rules. She has since
been disqualified and all of her recent performances, including Edmonton
are now null and void. As she ran the lead-off leg on the 4x1, the US
team has retroactively been disqualified. Please give your medal and
money back to us so that we can give them to the rightful winners of the
event.

Marion: Didn't we all pass the drug tests in Edmonton? What's the
problem?

IAAF: Well, it is true that we didn't catch the athlete in question in
Edmonton, but we did later, and she admitted being guilty in Edmonton.

Marion: So now you believe her? And I have to lose my medal because
she "said she was guilty"? She's just jealous of my success, took drugs
to try to beat me, couldn't, got caught, and is now trying to take away
from my fame by taking away my medals.

Marion, to herself: Maybe I should sue the IAAF, for not having good
enough testing in Edmonton to catch KW before the relay (like they did
in Paris). Maybe I should sue USATF for not catching KW at the US
Trials for Edmonton and thus allowing her on the relay team. Who else
can I sue?

[ycn]

Re: Letter To The Editor

Unfortunately, as the story unfolds, it is appearing more and more likely that Marion Jones is not entirely innocent in this scandal.

She may have her "story" and she may be sticking to it, but I have a nagging suspicion that the hammer is going to drop on Marion last, or nearly last. I think that USADA will save the most painful news for last.

Ouch, this hurts more and more all the time.

[Asterix]

Re: Letter To The Editor

Marion: Didn't we all pass the drug tests
>in Edmonton? What's the
problem?

Not exactly a novel event. Ben Johnson losing his 1987 world record after admitting his guilt years later, despite passing the tests at the time, comes to mind. Maybe Marion should review some of the sport's history?

[BisonHurdler]

Re: Letter To The Editor

> Maybe Marion should review some of the sport's history?



(She didn't actually say what the original emailer wrote)

[mrbowie]

Re: Letter To The Editor

I must say that I am really enjoying the fact that the tables have turned on cheaters.

Now, gone are the days when an athlete could beat the system by relying on a clean test, a circumstance that came about because not test for a particular substance was yet available.

The cops have finally, for a while at least, caught up with the cheaters.

Ain't it just grand.

[Realist]

Re: Letter To The Editor

<<The cops have finally, for a while
>at least, caught up with the cheaters.>>

And if you believe that, as they say, I've got a bridge to sell you (unless you'd prefer some Arizona ocean-front property).

[Friar]

Re: Letter To The Editor

I don't know about Marion: but when I play -cheat,not a cheat - when athletes toe the line,I never have the feeling she's playing dirty. I've never had that feeling about White. (Marion's hudband Tim, well I hope he's clean let's just leave it there.)

There is no question that from a physical standpoint Jones has been far ahead of everybody since she was an 18y.o.

I hope everybodies clean,but maybe Marion more than most.

[mrbowie]

Re: Letter To The Editor

Friar,

I have seen White and Jones since they were in the early high school.

I saw Marion at 14, 18, 21 and now. Her body has gone through some amazing changes, but they all seemed real.

Kelli, on the other hand, developed thights that rivaled or even surpassed those of Gail Devers and her facial features seem quite different as well.

I can say that I never suspected Marion of doing anything untoward, but I did suspect Kelli.

[Asterix]

Re: Letter To The Editor

>(She didn't
>actually say what the original emailer wrote)

Yes, I'm aware of that. My comment was more directed at clarifying the thinking of the poster who wrote the script.