Cheaters Never Win

(Originally Posted 10/10/2007)

As Marion Jones stood facing several cameras, face of an angel, body of steel, and tears flowing like water, to announce to the world that she was a cheat for winning Olympic medals with the use of steroids, I felt an immediate sense of respect. That she cheated and lied for personal glory, I find despicable. That she owned it fully and completely without blaming anyone but herself, I find noble and lacking in society today. We have seen the repeated and inexplicable denial of politicians and many other leaders when they’ve been caught red handed, hand in the cookie jar. We’ve also witnessed their public display of dismissive bravado when it comes to accepting responsibility for their misdeeds.

It takes a very strong person to fully admit and publicly apologize for one’s mistakes, or, moments when they’ve lost their character. Marion Jones could have easily fought on denying the charges claiming ignorance of what she’d been given. She could have carried out the investigation placing the blame on trainers and handlers, but she did not. Marion Jones, is much less a coward than say Senator Larry Craig who was also caught in deception but who chose to continue the cycle of word spinning and dishonesty. Mr. Craig tried to own up to his crime privately hoping no one would find out. When this backfired and he then decided to deny ownership of his wrong doing and place the blame on the system that caught him saying that he should not have actually admitted to wrong doing. No, come to think of it, I could have gotten away with this was instead his response. This amazing display of disregard for dignity, accountability and self respect is the norm. And, while cheaters never win, some lose with a lot more grace and dignity than others. Marion Jones can be proud of this authentic accomplishment at least.