Marion Jones: Press Pause

Few athletes in Olympic lore have scaled both soaring peaks and crushing lows quite like Marion Jones. After starring for the University of North Carolina and securing gold at the 1997 and 1999 World Championships, her ascent reached its apex at the 2000 Sydney Games. There, she captivated the world with her combination of glamour, poise, and unrivaled speed, sprinting and leaping to three gold medals and two bronze medals. Yet, her triumphs and reputation would later suffer damage. For years, Jones denied the growing whispers that she used performance-enhancing drugs. In October 2007, she finally acknowledged the long-held suspicions — she had, in fact, used steroids. Jones received a six-month prison sentence for lying to federal investigators and soon saw her Olympic accolades stripped of their status. Now a free woman, Jones is charting a new course in life and taking time to reflect.