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Jones 'to plead guilty to doping' Jones to plead guilty over doping
(about 1 hour later)
US athlete Marion Jones has arrived in court where she is expected to plead guilty to lying about using steroids in the run-up to the 2000 Sydney Olympics. US athlete Marion Jones has told a judge she will plead guilty to lying during an inquiry into steroid use.
The International Olympic Committee said it knew of her intended plea. Ms Jones could lose her three gold medals. Her intended plea could cost her the five medals she won at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
Ms Jones's New York court appearance comes a day after the Washington Post reported she had sent letters to family and friends apologising for drug use.Ms Jones's New York court appearance comes a day after the Washington Post reported she had sent letters to family and friends apologising for drug use.
She has previously denied using drugs to aid performance, despite suspicions. The sprinter had previously denied using drugs to enhance her performance, despite suspicions she had done so.
The American sprinter failed one blood test last year but was cleared of doping when a second test for the blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO) proved negative. She failed one blood test last year but was cleared of doping when a second test for the blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO) proved negative.
'I am sorry''I am sorry'
According to the letter she sent to close family and friends, Ms Jones said she had taken a steroid known as "the clear" for two years from 1999.According to the letter she sent to close family and friends, Ms Jones said she had taken a steroid known as "the clear" for two years from 1999.
She said it was given to her by her former coach and that she had taken it thinking it was flaxseed oil, a nutritional supplement.She said it was given to her by her former coach and that she had taken it thinking it was flaxseed oil, a nutritional supplement.
"I want to apologise for all of this," the Post quoted her letter as saying. "I am sorry for disappointing you all in so many ways.""I want to apologise for all of this," the Post quoted her letter as saying. "I am sorry for disappointing you all in so many ways."
The athlete, who became the first woman to win five medals at a single Olympic Games in 2000, said she could face up to six months in prison, the Post reported.The athlete, who became the first woman to win five medals at a single Olympic Games in 2000, said she could face up to six months in prison, the Post reported.
In a statement issued on Friday, the IOC said: "The IOC has learnt about Marion Jones' intention to plead guilty to lying to federal agents about her use of performance-enhancing substances during her career." In a statement issued on Friday, the International Olympic Committee said: "The IOC has learnt about Marion Jones' intention to plead guilty to lying to federal agents about her use of performance-enhancing substances during her career."
The IOC launched an investigation in 2004 into doping allegations involving Ms Jones, connected to the US Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative (Balco).The IOC launched an investigation in 2004 into doping allegations involving Ms Jones, connected to the US Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative (Balco).
Progress in the Balco inquiry had been slow because it was difficult to gather findings, the statement said.Progress in the Balco inquiry had been slow because it was difficult to gather findings, the statement said.
"The information that Marion Jones might provide later on today may prove to be key in moving this case forward," it added."The information that Marion Jones might provide later on today may prove to be key in moving this case forward," it added.