On October 4th, 2007, it was reported that Marion Jones admitted to using steroids before the 2000 Olympic games. On December 12, 2007, the International Olympics Committee stripped Jones of her five Olympic medals and banned her from participating in the 2008 and 2012 games in any capacity. In January, 2008, Jones was sentenced to six months in prison and 200 hours of community service for perjury relating to her use of performance-enhancing drugs. Jones apologized to the country for her use of steroids.
Guilty Plea
After pleading guilty to lying to federal agents about her use of steroids in connection with the BALCO investigation, Jones apologized to her family, friends and fans, saying "...with a great amount of shame...I stand before you and tell you that I have betrayed your trust...and you have the right to be angry with me... I have let my country down and I have let myself down."