Marion Jones pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to use of steroids. It calls into question her performances in track and field. It stirs a debate about what should happen to the medals - and what to do about the results of the 2000 Olympic Summer Games that were held in Sydney, Australia.

At this point, does it matter what the results are?

The record books can be re-written but it is not that simple. For example, Ms Jones won the gold medal for the 100 meter sprint. Second place was Katerina Thanou from Greece. Ms Thanou just completed a two year suspension for a drug related matters. It becomes a ‘Gordian Knot’.

The results are a sad note in sports history. There is no doubt that Ms Jones was a superbly gifted athlete. Her innate athletic gifts were not the result of drugs. She may have excelled without the chemical assistance. The sad part is that no one will ever know - not even Ms Jones.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]marion jones, track and field, olympic results, katerina thanou, drugs[/tags]