Fall From Gold

As a alumus of Thousand Oaks High School, I am dismayed about the truth from Marion Jones, who was a star athlete. What compelled her to use steroids? (I don't buy the typical athlete's excuse that he or she was taking flaxseed oil from a trainer. Athletes prize their bodies, so they know everything they put into them.) Didn't she believe enough in her talent?

When her first husband, shotputter C.J. Hunter, was banned from the 2000 Sydney games for testing positive for a banned substance, I was suspicious of her accomplishments, especially when she would cross finish lines far ahead of everyone else on the track. I wanted to believe that she trained hard, and her victories were because of this reason.

I shouldn't be so naive anymore. We live in a society of cheats and liars. I feel sorry for young kids. Between doping athletes and drug-addicted, no-talented celebrities, who can they believe in? I guess Mom and Dad. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad.