Original Air Date:
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Marion Jones - Home from Prison:
Since Oprah last interviewed Marion Jones 10 months ago, she has completed her 6 month sentence in prison and been released home to her family. Marion sat down with Oprah privately to discuss how her life has changed since being incarcerated. Marion first shared that her experience was life changing with moments where she felt like her world was over and others where she felt empowered. Feeling as if she was there for a reason, Marion was determined to take her 6 months and discover what had gone on in her life to get her to that point and what she was meant to learn from it.
Marion Jones - Her Decision to Lie:
Oprah asked Marion what happened to lead to her going to jail and Marion began to explain the events that started in 2000. Marion was invited to talk to prosecutors who were investigating a case involving performance enhancing drug use in sports. During the interview, Marion was shown a substance called 'The Clear' that she then realized she had in fact taken. In a brief moment, Marion decided to lie to the federal agents to cover up her use of the drug. Marion knew that her performances would be questioned and her family would be disappointed. She wishes now she would have taken a moment to step away.
Marion Jones - Taking Performance Enhancing Drugs:
Oprah moved on to clear up what Marion thought she was taking when her coach gave her 'The Clear.' Marion explained that she was under the impression that the substance was one of many supplements that she was taking and that she was told that it was flax seed oil. Being that she was in a trusting environment, she believed that what her coaches were saying was true. Marion took multiple vitamins to balance her system; this specific substance was to be held under her tongue and then swallowed - she took it several times before a game.
Marion Jones - A Difference?:
The coaches didn't have to tell Marion to keep quiet about what supplements she was taking - in athletics it is expected to keep a supplement regiment secret as to not give away the edge to a competitor.
When asked by Oprah if Marion noticed a difference after taking the substance, she answered yes and no. Marion shared that she had moments of more energy, like a second wind, and she felt really good during training. She attributed the changes not to the oil, but to her training and finally getting her supplement regiment balanced; that the planning and preparation was starting to pay off.
Marion Jones - Victor Conte:
In 2004 Victor Conte, founder of Balco Lab sat down with 20/20 and stated that he gave Marion 'The Clear' and watched her inject it right in front of him. Oprah wanted to know how Marion felt about Conte's claims, and Marion stated that he was lying, but that everyone has their own reasons for why they tell lies. Marion insisted that what she has told is the truth, and that she has paid the consequences for her choices. In hindsight, Marion thinks that her coaches knew that they were giving her an enhancement drug and that she is disappointed in the people who made those choices.
Marion Jones - Medals:
Oprah asked Marion what it felt like to have to give back her Olympic medals - Marion stated that getting them taken away wasn't the bad part because they were just the hardware, what hurt was that her memories are tarnished and her performances questioned and removed from the record books like she never existed. Marion questions herself, if she still would have won the medals without the enhancement drug and she thinks she still would have succeeded at the Olympic Games. At this point, Marion wonders how she will explain to her kids why her records have been removed.
Marion Jones - Teammates:
When Marion spoke at her press conference and announced her plea, she failed to mention the Olympic teammates that also were forced to give back their medals. Marion responded to the mention of that action that she never intended to leave them out specifically, but that their apology was blended in with the many people that were hurt by her choices. Marion insisted that when she stepped on the track with those women that her intent was never to harm them or cover up actions - she stepped out with honest as she expected them to.
Marion Jones - People in Prison:
Marion shared with viewers that she met many new people in prison that paid a much higher price for their mistakes and bad choices. Some women in prison spend 20 years of their life paying for one bad choice. Marion gained strength from hearing their stories - feeling that if they could get up every day and continue on, that she could make it through her 6 months and begin to appreciate the little things in life that she had taken for granted.
Marion learned through her time away that she can't stand behind athletics anymore but needs to accept herself for who she truly is, not just as an athlete but as a woman.
Marion Jones - The Next Chapter:
Marion shared that while she has some sadness about never running again, she feels energized by the idea of the next chapter in her life - one she wants to make bigger and better than the last. Marion hopes to use what she has learned from this process to help young people make better decisions - she doesn't want her sentence to be her legacy.
Marion ended the interview by reading a letter she had written to her sons from prison. Through her letter writing, she uncovered that she didn't feel that she was good enough without athletics and success, but that she is now left with herself and is ok with that. People now talk to Marion Jones as the woman and mother and not as the image or athlete.
