Student
Andrew Bolze
Ms. Allen
Scandal Creative Essay
26 October 2012
Shame and Regret Bang! The gun rang throughout the glistening Olympic stadium in Sydney. Marion Jones claimed her first gold in the 100m dash. After the exciting two week competition ended, three gold medals and two bronze medals glimmered around the neck of the beautiful and gifted athlete, Marion Jones. Everything seemed to click that year for the three-time Olympic champion, but her tremendous performances led critics to question whether she had used performance-enhancing drugs. After denying any allegation of taking illegal substances, in 2007, Marion Jones announced the she “unknowingly” took performance-enhancing drugs in 2000 and 2001. Along with the five medals, her pride and respect were infamously ripped from her. After gaining legendary status at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, similar to Hester Prynne in the Scarlet Letter, Marion Jones was shunned from society after admitting that she unknowingly took performance-enhancing drugs. The American track and field team has always been strong. Florence Griffith Joyner shattered the 100m and 200m records at the 1988 Olympic games en route to earning three gold and one silver medal. Carl Lewis stunned the world by winning ten Olympic medals during his incredible career. These inspiring athletes brought prestige to the U.S.A. uniforms, but also brought expectations. The American people began to expect their athletes to excel and Marion Jones needed to keep the tradition going. Her confidence going into the games was overpowering as she predicted she would come home decorated with five gold medals in 2000. America loved her optimistic spirit and fell in love with the gifted athlete. Later, after lying to federal investigators regarding her use of “the clear,” Marion Jones was shunned from the track and field world. In addition to not being able to compete for two years, which is an entire career for track and field athletes, Jones was also a
Ms. Allen
Scandal Creative Essay
26 October 2012
Shame and Regret Bang! The gun rang throughout the glistening Olympic stadium in Sydney. Marion Jones claimed her first gold in the 100m dash. After the exciting two week competition ended, three gold medals and two bronze medals glimmered around the neck of the beautiful and gifted athlete, Marion Jones. Everything seemed to click that year for the three-time Olympic champion, but her tremendous performances led critics to question whether she had used performance-enhancing drugs. After denying any allegation of taking illegal substances, in 2007, Marion Jones announced the she “unknowingly” took performance-enhancing drugs in 2000 and 2001. Along with the five medals, her pride and respect were infamously ripped from her. After gaining legendary status at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, similar to Hester Prynne in the Scarlet Letter, Marion Jones was shunned from society after admitting that she unknowingly took performance-enhancing drugs. The American track and field team has always been strong. Florence Griffith Joyner shattered the 100m and 200m records at the 1988 Olympic games en route to earning three gold and one silver medal. Carl Lewis stunned the world by winning ten Olympic medals during his incredible career. These inspiring athletes brought prestige to the U.S.A. uniforms, but also brought expectations. The American people began to expect their athletes to excel and Marion Jones needed to keep the tradition going. Her confidence going into the games was overpowering as she predicted she would come home decorated with five gold medals in 2000. America loved her optimistic spirit and fell in love with the gifted athlete. Later, after lying to federal investigators regarding her use of “the clear,” Marion Jones was shunned from the track and field world. In addition to not being able to compete for two years, which is an entire career for track and field athletes, Jones was also a
Bibliography: "Former Olympic Medalist Marion Jones ' First Interview After Prison." Interview by Oprah Winfrey. Http://www.oprah.com. Harpo Productions Inc, n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. . Hickok, Ralph. "Jones, Marion." The Encyclopedia of North American Sports History. Second edition. New York: Facts on File, 2002. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. . Paula, Edelson. "Jones, Marion." A to Z of American Women in Sports. 2002. American History Online. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. .