TCA Press Tour: Marion Jones on a journey

It would be tough to find a world-class athlete who's suffered a steeper fall from grace than Marion Jones.
And on Wednesday, the former track star -- who was stripped of her Olympic medals and spent six months in jail after admitting she lied about taking performance-enhancing drugs -- did some explaining. At least, explaining why she agreed to appear in a new ESPN documentary about her travails.

"I was a bit hesitant to want to have to open the door again to so much drama and pain," Jones told reporters at the TV press tour in Pasadena.

But after talking with director John Singleton about his plans for the project, she concluded that it "was an opportunity for me to have my say and for people to understand ... certain choices and decisions that I made."

"Marion Jones: Press Pause" is part of "30 for 30," an upcoming series of one-hour documentaries from noted filmmakers to celebrate the sports network's 30th anniversary. The rap star Ice Cube, for instance, delivers "Straight Outta L.A.," a look at the cultural impact of the Raiders' NFL franchise. And Steve James ("Hoop Dreams") made a film about a racial brawl that involved a young Allen Iverson.

Despite Jones' cooperation, Singleton promised the film would not be "candy-coated." But he admitted that he has his own strong views of Jones' case.

"This is a subject that really got under my skin," Singleton said. "I remember being emotionally shaken by what she was going through." In particular, he said, he was angered that Jones was paying a steep price not paid by other athletes who'd lied about doping.

"This story is still happening and evolving," he said. "Marion is still on a certain journey."

-- Scott Collins

Comments

[kc]

Jones has been dirty since high school. She had to use Johnny Cochran to beat a rap while still in school. How many girls/women did Jones deny the chance to win races? Or, get their 15 minutes of fame after hard training? We'll never know. But, these other women paid a price also due to Jones cheating throughout her life.

[Karen]

KC, weren't you ever told that assumptions are the mother of all you know what? (trying to keep it clean.) But unless you have hardcore evidence to prove your claim then I suggest you shut the ---- up.

[M]

When I use to run, i remember all the girls would use substances. I am talking young girls from 12 up... They use to use back then and no one tested them. Ahhh those were the days. Its a trip because I saw my old coach and a few of the athletes I trained with caught up in the Balco scandle. Sad... but I knew it was coming!