The front page of the LA TIMES says it all. It's a sad day.
It wasn't easy being a sprinter in high school as a junior when the fastest person in the school was a girl. I wasn't going to let it stay that way. I had a serious motive here, oddly enough I remember contemplating how I might ask her to Prom on occassion. Yep, Marion Jones was all that back in '92. It was exciting to see professional trainers coming to our track practices and being interviewed by ESPN on what it's like to have a girl train with the guys team. Even better were the track meets. Marion was so blazing fast that by the time she got the baton in the 4x400 relay she could be half a lap behind and still win it by 50 yrds. Spectators laughed because they couldn't believe what they were seeing.
When she wasn't with her private trainer we were often working together on the track. We both ran the 100m, anchor in the 4x100, and long jump. In fact, it wasn't until her senior year that the coach suggested she give long jump a try. So she did. And that day at Camarillo HS she set a state record. Who does that?
So despite what all the sports critics have to say, Marion was a great athlete and a fun person to be around. For the longest time I tried to believe she was clean despite allegations, but the time has come and who knows why she confessed. My guess is that knowing she is a good person at heart, she actually has a conscience. But all the TV and newspaper critics are forgetting the major point here. She didn't get caught, she's confessing and saying sorry. If you saw the broadcast, you could easily tell that she felt as if her life was over and was quite remorse. I was sad too, but I can forgive that. People seeking forgiveness on their own rite is humbling, so critics, don't be haters.
Oh, and I did beat her my senoir year...phew!
6 comments:
wow ryan you have had some cool stories in your life. i really wish i could have that stomach, even something close to that!
What exactly did you beat her in?...A seed spitting contest? :)
I do feel bad that everyone is coming down on her. She is just trying to do what's right.
Good job at beating her. even if she did have the flu that day.
good for people that tell the truth, even if it is years later.
I won't hate on her, except I will agree with Merideth, that stomache is unfair.
I just think it's a shame that she worked so hard her ENTIRE LIFE pushing herself and training (against speed demons such as yourself) and then didn't have enough confidence in herself to do it w/out the roids. (I really wanted to use the word "roids", like I know what I'm talking about.)
It just seems like ALOT of hardwork, and now everything will be taken away....I feel sorry for her.
Ryan, Like I always say "Don't hate the player, hate the game".
Wade Decker
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