Marion Jones returns back with a hope to start a new career. The former sprinter has joined the team Tulsa Shock after signing for Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and is hoping to launch her career afresh after losing five Olympic medals for using illegal substances and being imprisoned for lying to the prosecutors.
In 2000 Sydney Olympics, Marion Jones was awarded three gold medals for winning the 100m, 200m, and 4×400 m relays. She also won two bronze medals for 4x100m relay and long jump. Marion Jones became the first woman athlete to win five medals in a single Olympic event.
But two years ago, Marion Jones admitted that she had used steroids before, during, and after the game, and her medals were taken from her. Marion Jones was also sent to jail for nearly 6 months for lying about doping and also for her involvement in a check fraud.
Marion Jones, 34, has attended the University of North Carolina on a basketball scholarship and has helped her team to enter into the national championship of 1994.
Marion Jones announced her association with WNBA on Tuesday during a news conference and said that she welcomes any opportunity to play alongside the ‘greatest women’s basketball players’.
Marion Jones also said she has forgotten about her past and now wants to fulfill her dream of playing basketball. ‘I am a competitor, I want to play against the best in the world’, she said at the news conference.
Marion Jones also said that she wanted to join Shock because of the coach Nolan Richardson. Before being offered a position in the team, Marion Jones worked out for Coach Richardson. Richardson, who was also present at the conference along with Shock’s president, said that watching her drills he saw a player who could be perfect for their team.
We welcome the return of Marion Jones and wish her all the best for her new career.