The Marion Jones doping scandal is a tough lesson concerning integrity. We talk a lot here at managersrealm about the need to work and walk in absolute integrity in all aspects of our lives, including business.
One thing I want to focus on is Jones' comments after she admitted to using steroids in a letter to family and friends, cited by the Washington Post. She said that her coach Trevor Graham gave her the substance, telling her it was flaxseed oil. The problem with those comments is it's the same thing Barry Bonds said when he was questioned about steroid use.
What's the chances that both athletes were told this same story by two different people at two different times?
Not only did she lie when questioned about the usage by a federal agent, but she also lied in a separate instance about a $25,000 check she received from another track athlete, Tim Montgomery, who fathered their son. The money was connected to bank fraud and money laundering.
While Jones is admitting to lying now, it seems she's not taking responsibility for her actions. She uses excuses why she lied by saying she was afraid, and also the flaxseed comment, which puts the blame on someone else.
Her usage was before the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she won 3 gold medals. She could possibly be stripped of those and other medals, along with a $250,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison.
With management in mind, we can't allow someone else, fear or outward circumstances to rule the decisions we make. To give up control of our lives to someone else will bring us disaster. We must be willing to question anything that could harm our reputation and integrity.
In the end, we are responsible for our actions. To plead ignorance is to be ignorant. We must guard out integrity as one of the most important choices of our lives. If we let our guard down there, forces could emerge that take control out of our hands.
Marion Jones is finding that out the hard way.
Marion Jones Running 100 Meter in Sydney
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» Marion Jones, Steroid Use and Taking Responsibility from TheAlphaMarketer
The admission by track superstar Marion Jones that she had indeed used steroids before the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney has caused quite a stir around the Internet. For years she has denied using performance enhancement drugs during her sports... [Read More]
Tracked on: October 4, 2007 8:13 PM | Permalink to Trackback