Professional athletes involved in doping scandals usually writes book about themselves. There are also some cases where other people write about their life and career but it is usually centered on the athlete’s use of performance enhancing drugs. One of the most controversial steroid books written by a professional athlete is the Juiced and Vindicated by Jose Canseco, the MLB’s steroid whistleblower. You can also find a tell-all book about Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Lenny Dykstra, and a lot more.

And this week, another book was released which was authored by former Olympic athlete Marion Jones, one of the celebrated cases of doping in the country. The book entitled “On the Right Track” could be another bestseller but Jones clarified that her book is different from those tell-all books published by other professional athletes.

In an exclusive interview of the AP, Jones said that she did not delve much on the issue of doping or her use of anabolic steroids. “When people look at this, they might think it’s a tell-all, it’s one of those books that you see celebrities or maybe athletes write after they have just done something horrible. It’s much different than that,” Jones said. She said that her story is unique. “The first part of my life, my journey, I hit the pinnacle of my career, and it was a very public career, and then I made decisions that cost me all of that,” she said.

Marion Jones’ Ordeal in Prison Detailed

The former Olympian, who won 5 medals in the Sydney Olympics, spent 6 months in prison for lying to federal investigators about her use of steroids. During the BALCO investigation, Jones denied that she knows the steroid “the Clear” when it was shown to him by Jeff Novitsky. She was also involved in a check-fraud scam together with his former husband Tim Montgomery.

Jones detailed her suffering while serving her sentence. She clarified that she was jailed because of lying and not because of doping. Her experience in the solitary confinement for more than a month was the worst part of her life. “There were moments while I was there, where you just feel like you cannot go on: ‘How in the world can I make it to tomorrow?’” Jones said.

Time to Reflect

Those setbacks in her life made her realize many things. “I surely wish that I could go back and change certain things in my past, on one hand, but then I wouldn’t be who I am today, someone who I’m actually really proud of,” said the track and field champion. She said that those trials especially the time she spent in jail helped her reflect about her life. “If I hadn’t gone through certain things, and because I had those six months or whatever — just a lot of quiet time- if I hadn’t gone through it, I don’t know if I would ever have that much time to reflect. A lot of people don’t,” Jones said.

Life after the Steroid Scandal

The best thing that ever happened to Jones is changing her life and become a better person. Her husband told the AP that those problems were both crucible and a wonderful opportunity for Marion. “She’s not one of these people who’s bitter. She’s not spiteful. She’s not looking to get even with anyone. She’s just turned it into something positive. She’s used it to take the next steps in life, to rebuild,” said Obadele Thompson.

The disgraced Olympic athlete is now active in the “Take a Break” program. Jones conduct this as an outreach as part of her probation but she will continue this on her own by visiting more schools around the country. “By helping people, it’s a form of healing for myself, because I hurt so many people. I know that,” she said. It also serves as her motivation to keep going on

Sorry for Doping but It’s Not Intentional

Jones is still firm that she did not intentionally take performance enhancing drugs. She regrets that she was so trusting about the people around her. “Sure, it was my choice to take it without asking any questions but it was never my intent to take it,” she said. Further she wrote in her book, “Yes, I took a performance-enhancing drug and I can’t go back and undo any of it. What happened, happened. I’m not holding anyone responsible for the fact that I’m the one who put it in my body. Nobody forced me.”

Marion Jones is rebuilding her career in WNBA. She played for the Tulsa last season.

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