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Former Olympic Coach: Sentence 'Will Kill' Jones' Athletic Career

Jan 11, 2008

Raleigh, N.C. — St. Augustine's track coach George Williams, who has coached the U.S. Olympic team, said it was a sad day Friday, with Marion Jones getting a six-month prison sentence. He doesn't believe Jones will ever compete again in track and field.

"This will kill her career as an athlete," Williams said. "But it could create another situation where she can be a motivational speaker to tell young athletes what not to do."

Williams understands the rationale of Judge Kenneth Karas, who gave Jones the maximum sentence, in part, to send a message to athletes who have abused drugs.

"It's a message that had to be put out there. At some point, this stuff is going to have to stop,"  Williams said.

Williams hopes and expects Jones, who announced her retirement last year,  to try to help people from making the same mistake she did.

"She could help us in track and field in the long run," he said. "Today's sentencing adds to a dark cloud but the clouds will clear."

UNC track and field coach Dennis Craddock, in a statement Friday, also sounded a hopeful note.

"Of course I am disappointed with the news. Marion is a good person, but she  made some bad decisions during her professional career that have hurt her  and the sport of track and field. Now she has to pay the consequences of  those bad decisions.

"She was a hero to thousands of young girls who wanted  to be like her. These young people now need to see her take responsibility  for her actions. We will support her as she goes through these difficult times."

• Reporter: Jeff Gravley