Why Marion Jones Is No Longer Relevant

Marion Jones did track and field a favor on Wednesday, when she appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Her interview shed light on a selfish individual, who for whatever reason is still holding back on the details related to her fall in the sport.

It seems as though there is much more to the story, but at this point, who really cares?

Her actions have had far reaching impact that she did not foresee. Marion participated in doping and as a result her 400 and 1,600-meter relay teammates from Sydney were stripped of their medals, even though they played by the rules.

The blow back of her selfish actions hit the sport, which was left with a diminished reputation and bank account. Simply put, Jones cost the sport money while at the same time effectively reducing the career earning potential of countless athletes that had nothing to do with her.

At every chance, the media takes aim at Marion Jones, as an example of all that is wrong with track and field.

With that, there is also some good. Despite her best attempts, Jones did not succeed at bringing down the sport. Last year the grand prix meets were still held, and the U.S. Olympic Trials and Beijing Games were run despite her actions. Marion Jones is not and will never be larger than the sport.

The time to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth has passed. Jones is probably still lying albeit maybe only to herself these days. She will never run in the sport again-it's over. It is time that everyone acknowledges this fact.

We hope this is the last time that we have to talk about Jones. The sport has moved on past the Marion Jones era because she is no longer relevent to the todays events in track and field.

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

Jones To Sit On The Couch For An Image Makeover

In case you have been locked in a closet, Oprah Winfrey’s televised talk show has become the perfect vehicle for celebrities and other well-known figures to salvage their reputation or to fight a controversy.

A quick review of the previous guests, we see that the Queen of Television has interviewed stars from Madonna to Jennifer Anistron, so why not Marion Jones?

The point is that Oprah brings her moneymaking and star power in everything that she does and all those big names that featured as guests on the talk show had nothing to lose from it. To the contrary, one might say. In the light of all this, no one could possibly blame Jones for wanting to be on Oprah's show.

What is next for the fallen star? Marion will probably embark on writing a book and then hit the road on a speaking tour to tell kids how to not ruin your life?

The trouble-prone former Olympian is said to appear on Wednesdays episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show”in no doubt to clear her name of all the negative attributes that have accompanied the six month jail term after denying for lying about previous drug use.

Jones's tell-all interview on Wednesday's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is to be her first interview since she was released September 5 from a Texas federal prison after completing most of her six-month sentence for lying about steroid use.

The sprinter admitted last October that she used a designer steroid known as "the clear" from September 2000 to July 2001. Her admission came after years of denials. Marion is on probation and had to get permission to appear on the show, which devoted its full hour to the interview.

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.com.

Marion Jones Is Free!

It's official. Marion Jones the only person jailed so far for doping was released from a halfway house in San Antonio, after serving a six-month sentence for lying for years about steroid use. Doping helped her win five medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the sports governing bodies have wiped her existance from track and field.

Jones served most of her six-month sentence for lying to federal investigators about her use of performance-enhancing drugs.

I wonder if Jones will take a page from Jose Canseco and write a tell-all book about the doping game.

By Jay Hicks.

The Final Lap: Has Everyone Gone Mad?

It has been another crazy week in the wacky world of track and field. No story sticks out more than the letter writing campaign to the President Bush, as if he isn’t busy enough doing the nation's work.

See if you can follow all of this. First Marion Jones wrote the President of the United States requesting a pardon. Then the new CEO of the USA Track & Field decides to make his first official action to write a letter asking the leader of the free world to ignore the Marion’s request. Finally, the U.S. Olympic team along with Jackie Joyner-Kersee went to the White House this week for a grand send off by President. It makes some track enthusiasts want to write a letter to President President explaining that not everyone in track and field is this strange.

• Just three weeks away from the Olympics there are a number of unanswered questions. Will Tyson Gay heal in time and be in top form before the first heat of the 100 meters in Beijing? Reuters.

• Does track and field finally have a new bold and daring show man or shall we say show women? Lolo Jones vs. a horse is being floated around. Is this serious talk? DR.

• Our sources were right on the mark. Remember how we said back in May that Liu Xiang’s injury was serious? Our sources are now saying that Xiang's conditioning is below what it should be just three weeks before the opening ceremonies.
  

By Jay Hicks.

Dear Mr. President, Don't Let Marion Jones Off Signed USATF

In a relatively short period of time, writing letters to the President of the United States has become a new national past time. Not to be out done by Marion Jones, the sports national governing body put pen to paper to address the fallen track stars request for pardon and commutation of her sentence.

"Dear President Bush,

They say you can't always believe what you read in the papers. So, when I read that Marion Jones has applied to you for a pardon or commutation of her federal conviction for making false statements to investigators, I couldn't believe it. She lied to federal agents. She took steroids. She made false statements in a bank fraud investigation - not necessarily in that order. She admitted it. And now she apparently wants to be let off.

As the new CEO of USA Track & Field, I have a moral and practical duty to make the case against her request.

With her cheating and lying, Marion Jones did everything she could to violate the principles of track and field and Olympic competition. When she came under scrutiny for doping, she taunted any who doubted her purity, talent and work ethic. Just as she had succeeded in duping us with her performances, she duped many people into giving her the benefit of the doubt.

She pointed her finger at us, and got away with it until federal investigators teamed up with USADA and finally did her in. It was a sad thing to watch, the most glorious female athlete of the 20th century in tears on courthouse steps.

Our country has long turned a blind eye to the misdeeds of our heroes. If you have athletic talent or money or fame, the law is applied much differently than if you are slow or poor or an average American trying to get by. At the same time, all sports have for far too long given the benefit of the doubt to its heroes who seem too good to be true, even when common sense indicates they are not.

To reduce Ms. Jones' sentence or pardon her would send a horrible message to young people who idolized her, reinforcing the notion that you can cheat and be entitled to get away with it. A pardon would also send the wrong message to the international community. Few things are more globally respected than the Olympic Games, and to pardon one of the biggest frauds perpetuated on the Olympic movement would be nothing less than thumbing our collective noses at the world.

In my new job as CEO of USA Track & Field, I must right the ship that Ms. Jones and other athletes nearly ran aground. I implore you, Mr. President: Please don't take the wind out of our sails."

Respectfully Yours,

Douglas G. Logan

CEO, USA Track & Field

By Jay Hicks.

Pardon Me President Bush, Signed Marion Jones

In between writing to her kids and doing her prison duties, Marion Jones found time to write the President of the United States for a pardon.

Jones is wrapping up a six month sentence for lying to federal investigators about the BALCO steroid investigation.

Along with hundreds of felons, Jones wrote President Bush to seek pardon and commutation for their felon crimes.

It's hard to imagine that her request will be received well by President Bush, who is an avid baseball and sports fan. But I guess you can't blame a girl for trying any means necessary, right?

By Jay Hicks.

Track & Field Really Needs Oscar Pistorius

You can’t take one more story about the doping scandals in track and field.

You’ve heard it all: the current Trevor Graham trial fingering some of the sport's biggest names in Marion Jones, Justin Gatlin, and Tim Montgomery. Or, the once great coach being charged for lying to federal officials about Balco. Or, Dwain Chambers battling with UK officials to run in the Olympics.

But try to sit still for just one more report. This one is an especially important piece. It explores the bigger picture of track and field which as a sport is embattled for its survival and its integrity because it has lost the public trust. A dark cloud hangs over the sport which blocks the public’s attention from arguably one of the most talented group of athletes at one time in this country’s history.

The sport is hurting. Track and field needs Oscar Pistorius and should welcome the sight of him, considering the sport's current gloomy state.

The sport’s federation did what it had to do when the organization ruled that Pistorious could not run in Beijing. The Blade Runner clearly gets a physical advantage from the carbon fiber legs when his competitors run on foot.

But Pistorius is not a threat to make the 400 in Beijing. The Olympic qualifying standard is 45.55, and his personal record stands at 46.55. Which means that he has to drop a second off his time in less than 60 days. In other words, his best chance is four years from now at the London Games.

He’s a hero. A pioneer with the drive to be the best, like every other champion. The pursuit to defy obstacles stacked sky high by the double amputee born without fibulas is inspiring.

In fact, the sport’s history is steeped in such inspirational figures—Jesse Owens defeating Hitler, Joan Benoit shattering glass ceilings, or Cathy Freeman representing the Aboriginal people of Australia. Pistorius may be remembered later for changing perception. Disability may now become ability.

Maybe the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has given the sport a gift in overturning the ban against Pistorious. Maybe, it’s an opportunity to right a wrong.

“I am ecstatic,” Pistorius told reporters in Milan, Italy. “When I found out, I cried. It is a battle that has been going on for far too long. It’s a great day for the sport. I think this day is going to go down in history for the equality of disabled people.”

I hope South Africa decides to include him on the 4x400-meter relay, if it qualifies one. Track needs an inspirational figure to overshadow the depressing drug stories.

By Jay Hicks.

Sucker Punched!

The 400 and 1,600-meter relay teammates of Marion Jones from the 2000 Sydney Games were sucker punched last week when the IOC officially a stripped their medals. Everyone in the track world knew the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision was coming but that doesn’t change the outrage because the decision makes no sense.

Marion’s teammates had no knowledge of Marion’s actions nor were they responsible for her illegal actions. The prudent move by the IOC in this scenario should be to strip Marion of her relay medal. Oh, wait—they already did that.

Marion bashing is a sport that we will leave the “do-nothing” media to play as she serves a 6 month jail term. The people who have been wronged are Marion’s former teammates. Many of the runners are retired from track and are without an opportunity to earn another Olympic medal. Does the act of one athlete outweigh the need of fairness to eight athletes? The answering is a big fat NO! The decision to take the strip their medals is terrible policy and it penalizes the innocent athletes that the IOC is charged with serving.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist.

Marion Jones Enters Federal Prison!

On Friday, Marion Jones surrendered to authorities shortly before noon in Ft. Worth, Texas to begin serving her six-month sentence. The former Olympic stand-out will also serve 400 hours of community service in each of the two years following her release while on probation.

The judge sentenced her to the maximum sentence under her plea deal to set an example to other athletes who might have messed up in the same fashion. Marion has admitted that she juiced up for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and has returned every single one of the five medals that she won there. Three of them were gold medals.

Marion Jones is the first professional athlete to serve jail time in this doping scandal. She got drugs from the same place, Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO), as Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi. So why aren't they in prison and she is? Misogyny! Someone get Martha Stewart on the phone, she knows how it goes.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist

Marion Jones Runs to Oprah

Marion Jones

Leave it to Oprah to bag the exclusive. First, she gets Tom Cruise jumping up and down on her couch. Now, she’s got fallen track star Marion Jones on her couch – via satellite this time. In her first interview since sentencing, Jones opened up about the pain of her lies and cheating on her family. For her part, Oprah pressed Marion on lying. Maybe not as hard as she went on author James Frey, but she had a few questions . . .

"It's been a long journey," Marion said. "The weight and the baggage of many years of knowing that. I've been blessed with a super amount of talent but I could not go on any more with this baggage, lying to the world, lying to God.”

Marion Jones’ plan for a return to good graces has just begun. She faced the steroid story head on and “told all” about her mistakes. Her charisma makes it hard to continue disliking her. Oprah’s loyal followers are sympathetic to Marion and want to reach out.

Maybe USA Track & Field should hire Marion’s publicist to improve USA Track & Field’s image problem.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist

Justin Gatlin Can’t Outrun Ban

Sprinter Justin Gatlin

Earlier this week, Justin Gatlin lost his bid to return to the sport, which means he’s likely lost his career in track and field entirely.

Can we all say it out loud: “Who cares?” Justin Gatlin’s sentence was reduced to four years from eight years for testing positive in April 22, 2006. That seems like about as much as he should try to expect from a sport that he willfully disgraced.

The 25-year-old sprinter will not be able to defend his 100-meter title gold at the Beijing Olympics. Too bad, so sad. He maybe should’ve thought twice before greedily using performance-enhancing drugs for short-term gain. Oh wait – he did think twice – it was his SECOND infraction! He’d been banned from international competition for two years in 2001 for testing positive for a stimulant in his ADD meds at his first major U.S. meet.

You can’t blame U.S. arbitrators for taking a hard line in their decision. They explained that they could not go easy on Gatlin because this was his second drug offense.

Gatlin’s rather bizarre legal defense was that he was the victim of sabotage when a massage therapist rubbed testosterone cream on his leg in revenge for not getting a bonus in 2005. Ummm, right.

A second offense could have meant a lifetime ban. Justin was given a reduced sentence for secretly-tape recording his former coach, Trevor Graham, to aid a federal steroid investigation.

His coach, Trevor Graham, is at the center of the BALCO steroid storm as several of the athletes he’s been associated with have been involved in recent doping scandals. Most notable of these is Marion Jones, who confessed to using drugs before pleading guilty in October to lying to federal investigators.

The world is to believe that this is all some terrible mistake. Gatlin’s positive test was not his fault. His masseuse was pissed off and spiked the massage oil. He was coached by the architect of track doping, but he wasn’t involved. This sounds very similar to the Marion Jones defense, except she finally stopped running from the truth and admitted her guilt.

The story does not add up. Justin failed to meet his burden of proof—maybe he should start telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Remember today's lesson– always tip your masseuse generously!

By Jay Hicks, aka Track Evangelist

Silly Barry Bonds Trial

Barry Bonds at the Federal Building in San Francisco

You could care less about baseball, steroids or Barry Bonds, but the sight of the government charging a famous individual with perjury is a farce. At the very least, it is desperate. It doesn’t take a Harvard law degree to know that perjury is difficult to prove – even for the government, who, of course, never lies.

I get it – Barry Bonds is not popular. His “I have a recliner in the clubhouse because I can” routine, abrasive personality and failing to show up for team pictures has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that he’s a jerk.

That’s fair.

But on this blogsite Barry Bonds is innocent until proven guilty. Barry has never tested positive and publicly denied taking drugs. Barry Bonds isn’t a sympathetic figure—but he at least deserves equal treatment under the law.

Prerace Jitters has covered the MLB steroid issue that has been brewing below the surface for more than two decades. Baseball owners sat back and cashed their fat checks knowing the steroids issue needed to be addressed. The home run record chases and nightly ESPN highlight brought attention back to the sport as it suffered under post-1994 lock-out fan apathy.

Shame on the owners. They failed miserably. They are charged with protecting the game on the way to depositing their cash in the bank. At least track and field took away Marion Jones’ Olympic medals and has a long track record of punishing anyone else that tests positive.

The Barry Bonds perjury case is thin. The government’s two witnesses are an ex-girlfriend—who we must note knowingly dated a married man – and a disgruntled business partner who feuded with Bonds over memorabilia sales figures.

You’re kidding? Five years of investigating and tens of millions of dollars down the drain, and that is as good as it gets?

My only questions is: Where are Rafael Palmeiro and Jason Giambi? Everyone from the Steroid Era should go down—not just the high-profile "Bad Guys."

The problem, of course, is prosecutorial bias. The original BALCO investigators have themselves admitted that the case was spurred by their hatred of Bonds. The Feds – and a lot of the baseball public – don’t like Bonds, so Bonds was the one to take the fall.

The silly Barry Bonds trial must end soon. All bets are off the table when the legal system becomes a forum for personal grudges. Who's next?

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist

Marion Jones' Career - R.I.P.

Marion Jones' Career7/1997 to 12/2007

Marion Got What She Deserved

The IAAF, track’s governing body, just made Roger Goodell look soft on crime. Track officials in Monaco announced that Marion Jones is banned for two years, she will be erased from all competitions from September 1, 2000, and they want all the dough back.

At the age of 32, this ruling spells the end of her career.

Unfortunately, the check is not in the mail because Marion is reportedly bankrupt. The lesson to be learned is that cheaters are severely punished in track & field. Dopers do so at their own peril!

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist

A Fan's Track Manifesto

A frenzied rant. One man’s insane vision for the sport. This is the unleashing of my inner Ted Kaczynski.

I’m dropping my Track Manifesto –- the gospel according to the Track Evangelist. It’s my list of 27 profound track and field beliefs.

As track fans, we have one thing in common: A passion for the world’s most exciting sport – a passion that keeps us coming back for more, no matter how frustrated we get.

So, with no further delay—and in no particular order—here are the 27 top reasons I’m back in the arms of the greatest sport there is.

1. I believe that I’m done explaining why I am an enthusiastic track fan. But that’s not going to stop me from writing about it religiously.


2. I believe track and field is the greatest sport on the planet. Yes, it’s even better than the International Strongman Competitions on ESPN. Hard to believe, huh?


3. I believe track athletes are the toughest athletes in the world. What we call a sport, other athletes consider punishment.


4. I believe that it is my right to purchase $7 beers at all professional track meets. Beer and sporting events are as American as apple pie. Just because the Visa Series Championship meets are held on college campuses is no reason to keep me from fermented hops.


5. I believe that if Atlanta is “Chocolate City” then Texas Relays is “Track Mecca”. The stadium is electric – it’s a car show, a fashion runway, the hottest nightlife and a stunning display of athletic prowess all in one weekend. Texas Relays – it’s what track can be in America if we all put our passion behind it.


6. I believe that Kanye West would make ‘em say the sport must become socially relevant to go to the next level. Cuz it’s all ‘bout goin’ to the next level, right?


7. I believe the sports’ future is Lindsay Lohan. Attracting hot, young, out-of-control fans is what it’s all about. A sexy NASCAR for people without beer bellies. Panties optional.


8. I believe that track must be like Halle Berry. Entertaining and engaging. And pregnant – with possibilities, that is…


9. I believe Marion Jones is the Jay Leno monologue of track -- a joke that’s not particularly funny. Track fans wish she would stop talking and go far away. Enough said.


10. I believe anyone who doesn’t watch the World Championships is seriously missing out. With each step around this massive global stage, athletes are leaving their footprints in the pantheon of track history.


11. I believe Flo Jo may be the greatest track athlete name EVER. It’s got style, meaning and flash all in just five letters.


12. I believe Jackie Joyner-Kersee is the greatest all-around female athlete ever. She scored 1,000 points during her UCLA hoops career and struck Olympic gold in the heptathlon, long jump and 100m hurdles. All without “flaxseed oil”, Marion.


13. I believe the penalty for testing positive should be a meeting with Joe Clark and his bat in the principal’s office.


14. I believe Mike Conley, Jr. would contend for the 100-meter title today if track was his thing. Amazing! He dribbled as fast as defenders could run alongside him during 2005 NCAA March Madness.


15. I believe Jesse Owens is the best-remembered Olympic star of all time. Not because he ran faster than any of Hitler’s Aryan army, but because he ran better than anyone else ever. He ran right into history without choking.


16. I believe indoor track should have only one track size. Burn the rest. Track is about running – not math. Get rid of the time adjustments. It’s just confusing and is another way the sport keeps itself from being accessible to the casual fan.


17. I believe Denzel Washington would make a great track commissioner. Man, can Denzel deliver a speech. Do you Remember the Titans? I do.


18. I believe that the media is piling on. Where is the love? Track has its’ issues, but at least the sport’s athletes are not constantly on police blotters, and track isn’t dogged by accusations that the games are fixed by game officials.


19. I believe I shall call for Clyde Hart to be nicknamed “The Quarter-Miler Whisperer.” He makes coaching back-to-back 400 meter Olympic champions look easy.


20. I believe the mile should be run at American meets. Everyone can relate to a mile.


21. I believe Allyson Felix and Sanya Richardson are professional track & field’s G-Girls. These young, rich and beautiful females are burning up tracks around the world.


22. I believe that there will never be another Carl Lewis. Carl was a brilliant sprinter and flawless long jumper. He went 10 years undefeated in the long jump. Although he didn’t win over all the fans, he maybe saved his best for last in winning his 9th gold medal at the ripe age of 35.


23. I believe Penn Relays is the most entertaining track meet. Texas Relays may have the cars, the clothes and the nightlife – but Penn Relays is a carnival that attracts more than 100,000 fans and a sea of proud Jamaican supporters, mon.


24. I believe Bernard Lagat will establish a new era of U.S. dominance on the middle distance scene. He proved he is for real by winning the 2007 World Championships in the 1,500 & 5,000 meters.


25. I believe there is nothing more exciting than the countless camera flashes exploding throughout a sold-out stadium in the split-second before the starter’s gun goes off. It’s a singular moment that symbolizes the anticipation, speculation and possibilities of the seconds that will fly by once the runners hit their stride.


26. I believe Michael Johnson is the Jay-Z of track & field. MJ’s reign over the sport is unparalleled: nearly a decade as track’s top man, a headline-grabbing duel in which he defeated Carl Lewis, a run of sprint domination that outlasted the rest of the pack. Michael retired at the top of his game and arguably as the richest track runner in history. MJ retired and then turned CEO & entrepreneur. Sound familiar?


27. I believe every able-bodied adult knows that nervous feeling that comes over you as you step up to the starting line – any starting line: Prerace Jitters!

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist

Marion Fatigue!

Marion Jones was suffering from exhaustion. Following in the footsteps of other disgraced celebrities, she may announce a trip to rehab.

In the end, is this just another situation that can be mopped up with a few tears? Just ask any celebrity or athlete who has made a “bad decision.”

Marion Jones: Liar. Cheat. Fraud. What do her actions mean to the future of our sport?

Tim Layden's recent Sport Illustrated article couldn't be more right on. Best case scenario, Marion has damaged the sport and let her down her fans.

The worst case? It's simple. Miss Jones is the worst thing to ever happen to track and field.

Why?

From the earliest moments of her career, fans had every reason to be excited about her sprint onto the scene. Unassuming, approachable, it seemed like the sport had finally found a mainstream star that would bring new fans to the stands -- and sponsors to the bank.

That hope had started to dim since the allegations of doping began as a whisper and grew to a roar.

She tried to play the victim card -- bad things just kept happening to her. Her first husband, CJ Hunter, tested positive for doping. They divorced shortly thereafter, and the whispers grew louder.

Next, her boyfriend, Tim Montgomery -- a "star" in his own right and a felon convicted on banking fraud, also tested positive. Marion denied doping even more vehemently.

Then Marion came clean -- first in a letter to family and friends, then to a judge in a court of law. No, not clean as in a clear urine test. This time Marion really came clean -- she finally admitted what everyone else had simply accepted as true already. She was guilty of doping -- and of repeatedly lying to cover her illegal acts.

But Marion, of course, couldn't be held responsible. It wasn't her fault, it was all the bad people around her. This time, it was her coach, Trevor Graham, who'd duped her into doping -- she could've sworn it was flaxseed oil.

Sure, Marion. And that's why you're crying now.

Don't get me wrong. I didn't want her to be guilty. I wanted to believe that she won those medals clean. The facts just weren't stacking up in her favor. And that's why the Marion sympathizers are dead wrong.

Because of her lying, because of her alligator tears, because it took her nearly seven years to come clean, our would-be mainstream star has burned out, taking the reputation of our sport with her.

Because of her protracted lie, she has cast a pall over every single athlete running around the track today. It will take track a decade to get over this mess.

Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards, Jeremy Wariner and Tyson Gay -- today's generation of gifted American runners -- are left running in place in the face of this long-overdue admission. Marion's legacy could've been one that took the sport to the next level for fans and people who haven't discovered its beauty. Instead, she leaves a toxic cloud.

Fans and sponsors are jaded. Achievements are underscored by the spector of scandal. Because of Marion, every athlete will be under suspicion. Thanks to Marion, our current stars may never gain the commercial success of Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson.

And ultimately that hurts us -- the fans. Jaded sponsors mean less money pumped into the sport. Less money, like it or not, means less visibility.

And the fewer opportunities that we have to see track in the mainstream, the fewer opportunities we have to share our enthusiasm with new spectators -- or with our children.

Marion's tears looked sincere for the television cameras, but will her apology make up for seven years of lies. No. They won't.

Yes, she's returned her five Olympic medals. The IAAF may ask for her prize money back. Her best performances -- some of the best in the history of the sport -- will be erased from the books. These may spell personal tragedy for Marion, but it won't make up for the damage she's done.

Mrs. Jones took more than she gave, and she left the sport on life support.

The track community is suffering from "Marion fatigue" and I pray that she makes the good decision here -- retiring in SILENCE. But if her track record is any indication, Marion Jones is incapable of making good decisions.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist

At Least it isn’t Basketball…

Is track held to a higher standard than other sports? Track may have its issues – but at least it’s not the NBA.

Ben Johnson lost his Olympic medals in 1988 after testing positive. Of course there’s Marion Jones (and her various husbands and boyfriends). The specter of doping (a.k.a. cheating) is always hanging over the sport. But you know what – at least we’re above board about it.

We test, we investigate, we actually talk about it as a governing body. Maybe the sport isn’t as bad off as we think.

Case in point – the NBA. Everyone, except the most fervent fans and naïve spectators, believe the NBA is fixed. Of course, the sport doesn’t directly confront this issue eroding the game’s credibility.

Imagine the scene, then, when Rasheed Wallace goes public, saying in a recent interview that he thinks the sport is rigged. A banner day for David Stern and his merry band of referees.

This interview comes on the heels of an FBI probe that alleges that referees bet on NBA games. And then there’s Tim Donaghy. He even ‘fessed up to the transgressions.

But there’s old David Stern, telling everyone that the recent scandals haven’t eroded the game’s credibility. Really, Davey? Really?

The NBA is fighting to regain its’ image. In recent years, the National Brawling Association has also had a UFC style fight with players going into the stands after fans, Kobe Bryant Sexgate Trial, and had to institute a silly dress code policy.

At least track and field is up front about its issues and aggressively goes after the athletes that damage the sport’s credibility. Yeah, track has a doping issue (uh, ever heard of Major League Baseball?), but those mainstream sports don’t even really try to address their credibility issues.

Major League Baseball – home of the magically expanding muscle mass – didn’t take up mandatory drug testing until 2003. You might suspect baseball has a drug problem when overnight players with Popeye forearms hit the ball and it disintegrates into dust on the way out the park.

The sport had to go in front of the federal government because of its doping issues and general denial that there was any issue at all. And heaven forbid someone mention Mark McGuire’s home run record (and record muscle gain). But it’s still America’s Pasttime, kids.

You’ve got to be kidding, right?

Let’s not even get started on the image problems of the NFL. That league reeks to high heaven of over-paid, pampered athletes that are throwing away a good thing. Constant player arrests. Pac Man Jones, Tank Johnson, Michael Vick, the infamous – and infamously titillating “Love Boat” cruise on Lake Minnetonka – the Minnesota Viking’s own foray into pillaging on the open seas.

You’d think this kind of egregious behavior would turn off fans and sponsors alike.

Yet, kids run around the tailgating lots eating bratwurst and throwing a football in their favorite felon’s jersey, and their parents continue to pour money into the league’s coffers. Beer companies can’t wait to align themselves with teams.

What does this rant against the various ills of our mainstream sports mean for track and field? It means it’s time for the sports media to forgive our game and start giving our athletes the recognition they deserve. But this won’t happen without a real push.

A press release simply won’t do. Craig Masback, CEO of USA Track & Field, needs to put on his selling shoes and go on camera to apologize for the latest Marion scandal and express his outrage. He should talk about the actual policing of the game and how it helps keep the urine tests clean and the records legit.

He should then invite viewers to tune in to a new season that will deliver a bigger and better sport – not bigger and better forearms.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist