Marion Jones

[fpb]

If only more people were as dignified in any moment as Marion Jones was yesterday when facing jail. No recriminations, no self-justification, no complaints. And yet, if she had wanted to, she could have said a lot in her own defence; chiefly, that she was operating in an American athletics world that was plainly and universally corrupt, in which everybody cheated. If she wanted to say that she had been made a scapegoat, she could have done so with some credibility. But she did not. "I respect the decision of the judge", even though the judge sent her to jail. Period. I used to be a fan, and though the revelation of her cheating disappointed me severely, her behaviour yesterday means that, in spite of all her crimes, she is entitled to say what she said: "I stand for what is right". And never mind that she called them "mistakes": everyone does these days, it's more or less contemporary jargon - but she clearly meant that what she had done was wrong and that people should "learn from" it. It seems to me that this woman may have got as much from discovery and humiliation as many good people get from blameless and useful lives. Good luck to her.

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Yes, but her face was full of such quiet misery I walked out of the kitchen and came back later. I don't usually watch TV, know zip about sports, but seeing suffering people is not entertainment for me. And there she was with a kabillion TV cameras and mics stuck in her face. Ik.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

The more reason to appreciate her behaviour. Anyone else would have walked away without answering, or had her lawyer read out a written statement.

[sevenorora.livejournal.com]

I was a huge fan of Jones. When there were rumours about her and doping, I was the first to defend her and claim that she’s innocent until proven guilty. So I was and still am disappointed in her that she has used doping.

Nevertheless, I have to agree with you. She accepted the consequences - which I think are far to harsh, if she is sentenced to jail, other athletes who have done the same or athletes who will be caught in the future, deserve the same punishment, I hate double standards! Whether they are celebrities or just the average guy - and as a result my respect for her has grown a bit, not as high as before but it has increased.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

To be fair, she was not condemned to jail for steroid abuse, but for perjury - lying on oath in front of a Congress committee, which is a very serious crime indeed. In the Anglo-Saxon tradition, lying to Parliament/Congress is one of the worst things you can do. Nevertheless, it sounds as though we are pretty much on the same page.

[sevenorora.livejournal.com]

Oops, my bad. That’s what happens when I’m busy trying to study for my exams and keeping a half eye on the news, I mix up things or know only half of the facts. :/

*goes back hitting the books*