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Jones Wants Public Hearing To Discuss USADA's Case Against Her

Jun 16, 2004

SAN FRANCISCO — Olympic champion Marion Jones called Wednesday for a public hearing in her campaign to forestall a possible drug case that could keep her from the Athens Games.

"I am not going to engage in the United States Anti-Doping Agency's secret kangaroo court," Jones said at a news conference. "I will answer questions in a public forum that will be open for the entire world to see, hear and evaluate.

"I will answer all the questions USADA is asking of me for the third time. However, this time I will not answer them in secret and behind closed doors. I will answer them in public, in the light of day,so the world can hear the questions, hear my responses, see the information and see for themselves that I am telling the truth."

She further added that: "We can answer these questions before the United States Senate, which has shown an interest in this matter, or some other public forum modeled after a judicial proceeding."

Then, the former University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill women's basketball and track star repeated a statement she has made repeatedly in response to questions raised about her success as a runner:

"I have never, ever used performance enhancing drugs," said Jones, who lives outside Chapel Hill. "I have accomplished what I have accomplished because of my God-given abilities and hard work."

The USADA is investigating Jones for possible doping violations. Jones met with USADA officials last month to discuss possible drug evidence against her, and she received a letter from the agency last week asking follow-up questions.

She has requested that prosecutors release her grand jury testimony in the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative steroid distribution case so she can pass it on to the USADA. She also has asked the USADA for help in getting the secret testimony released.

Jones won an unprecedented five track medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and has hinted she may try to match that mark at the Athens Games. She repeatedly has denied using performance-enhancing drugs and has vowed to fight any USADA charges.

"I have never failed a drug test," she said. "I have been tested more than 160 times, and I have passed every one of them."

Jones was one of several dozen athletes who gave secret testimony last fall before a grand jury that ultimately indicted four men for allegedly distributing steroids to top athletes.

The USADA probe of Jones and other athletes is based on documents from the grand jury investigation that were subpoenaed by a Senate committee and then turned over to the USADA.

At least four other athletes -- including Jones' boyfriend, 100-meter world-record-holder Tim Montgomery -- have been notified by the USADA that the anti-doping agency is pursuing possible drug cases against them that could result in bans from the Athens Games.