[online.education]

Disgraced U.S. sprinter Marion Jones was sentenced to six months in prison on Friday for lying to federal prosecutors about her steroid use, a stunning downfall for the five-time Olympic medalist.

U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Karas imposed the sentence after Jones, 32, pleaded guilty to two charges last October, when she retired from athletics and tearfully confessed to betraying the trust of her fans after years of denying she used performance-enhancing drugs.

"Your honor, I absolutely realize the gravity of these offenses and I am deeply sorry," Jones told the judge, crying as she begged not to be separated from her two young sons.

"I pray that you be as merciful as a human being can be."

Karas gave Jones six months for lying about steroid use and two months -- to run concurrently -- for misleading federal investigators about a check fraud case involving her ex-boyfriend, former 100-metres world record holder Tim Montgomery.

...

Yahoo! India News - U.S. Olympian Marion Jones gets six months in prison

Quite a drama. I guess I can just call her 'just another performance enhancement drug user', but the downfall is rather stunning. At one time, she was on top of the world literally. Gold medals and what have you. But now, ... she's not only stripped of all (well, most of) medals but she's also going to jail. Amazing ...

[mh0825]

6 months for lying? That's a little stiff don't you think?

[Lane]

I agree its a harsh call if it was just a lie, however she was trying to 'pervert the course of justice' (as such)....so she lied to the wrong people at the wrong time.

Gotta feel for the poor chick though, having her medals taken from her :/ That's gotta burn (even though I guess they weren't fully earnt?!)

[TVDinner]

why do you have to feel bad for her. SHE CHEATED.
And then she lied under oath. Plain and simple. she knew what she was doing. i am sick and tired of feeling bad for liars and cheaters. And is she remorseful for taking the drugs, or for lying, or for having to fess up? either way, I am not sorry for her at all.

[Lane]

Sure she cheated, and absolutely shouldn't have done.

I'm definitely not disputing that. I was moreso thinking from her point of view that the jail sentence + medals stripped was like extra salt on a wound.... then again, it's absolutely true that it's her own fault!

[TVDinner]

I think 6 months was to little. Need to set an example!

[megadeth199]

Originally Posted by TVDinner

I think 6 months was to little. Need to set an example!

Maybe it's just 6 months but 6 months can bevery long but if we need to set some example they will take somebody like that and this time it's her.