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Lead Stories: Friday, November 21, 2008

HBO’s Real Sports to Feature Interview with Disgraced Sprinter Tim Montgomery

Posted November 15th, 2008 at 12:30 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, Drugs In Sports

The next episode of HBO’s critically acclaimed sports series, “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel”, will sit down with the now retired and embattled American track & field star Tim Montgomery. The interview will air when Real Sports returns on November 25, 2008 at 10pm ET/PT.

Montgomery, who fathered a child with fellow sprinter Marion Jones, earned a gold medal in the 4×400m relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and a silver medal in the same event at the 2000 Olympic Games in Atlanta. In September 2002, he earned the moniker of “world’s fastest man” by breaking Maurice Greene’s 100m world record by 0.01 seconds for a time of 9.78 (with a 2.0 m/s tailwind).

However, Montgomery was stripped of his medals and all other awards and records earned since March 31, 2001 after being found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs by the court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) on December 13, 2005.
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TFS News Briefs: 2/27/08

Posted February 27th, 2008 at 12:45 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Drugs In Sports, TFS News Briefs

Heavy News Day At IAAF Website
The folks at the IAAF website have been busy today. There are 9 news items for you to read, including an article about the 51 USA athletes going to the world championships, plus profiles of the Chinese, Italian, Moroccan and German contingents.
Read more at: [USA][China][Italy][Morocco][Germany][IAAF]

World Indoor Championships: Greek Team Profile
The European Athletics site is quite busy, too, with a profile of the Greek team going to the World Indoor Championships, plus an article about how the World Cross-Country Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland has set a participation record.
Read more at: [Greece][Edinburgh][European Athletics]

Mainstream Press Acknowledges US Distance-Running Resurgence
When the mainstream press finally gets wind of happenings in US distance running, you know there must be no doubt about it whatsoever. The Boston Globe has published a profile detailing the resurgence of US distance running, something the US running community has known for a long, long time.
Read more at: [Boston Globe]
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Marion Jones’s Letter to Friends and Family

Posted November 24th, 2007 at 4:30 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, Drugs In Sports

Dear family and close friends,

I hope this letter finds all of you well. I know some of you must be wondering where the pictures are that I so often attach to my emails. Unfortunately, this is a much different type of letter. I write this letter to all of you for a few reasons.

The first is simply because I love you all. Some things will be happening in the next week that I want you all to know about from me FIRST. You deserve this because you have been there for me from the very beginning. You have supported me throughout the many struggles that I have had in my life and continue to do so to this day. You deserve to hear about Marion from Marion and not from the USA Today or CNN.

The second reason is because I finally want to shed much baggage that has been tearing me down for a long time. I want to share with you all my humanness. The fact that I have made mistakes in my life, made bad decisions, and have carried a great amount of pain and hurt throughout my life.
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On the Road & Around the Track: TFS News Briefs September 19, 2007

Posted September 19th, 2007 at 4:06 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Announcements, TFS News Briefs

Chicago’s New Olympic Logo Unveiled
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley unveiled the new Olympic logo today at a ceremony at the Walt Disney Magnet School in Lakeview, IL. The new logo features a six point star. Each point represents the following values: Hope, Respect, Harmony, Friendship, Excellence , Celebration. Read more at: [Chicago Business]

Catherine Ndereba’s Running Earns Her Job Promotion
Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, two-time winner of the world champioships marathon, has earned a promotion because of her victory in Osaka. She works as a prison officer in Kenya. Read more at: [SuperAthletics]

Track Stars to Become Prosecution Witnesses in Balco Trial?
Former track & field stars Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery, CJ Hunter, Alvin and Calvin Harrison, among others, could testify for the federal government in the Balco doping scandal trial. Coach Trevor Graham will go on trial in November. Read more at: [Washington Post]
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European track ban considered for Marion Jones; other Graham athletes

Posted December 4th, 2006 at 4:03 PM by Jennifer Lipman

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Drugs In Sports

After winning five medals at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Marion Jones has faced an onslaught of accusations regarding performance-enhancing drugs. Her “A” sample tested positive for EPO earlier this summer and even though her “B” sample turned up negative, her life is still under an increasingly intensifying microscope. Jones’ past connections to Tim Montgomery, Steve Riddick, Trevor Graham, CJ Hunter and Victor Conte of BALCO only make matters worse.

Some officials at the Euro Meeting believe that Jones and other athletes connected to coach Trevor Graham are bad for the sport’s reputation and don’t want to get tangled up in their mess. Therefore, they are considering a resolution that would recommend banning them from all European circuit track and field events. Read the rest of this entry »

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Trevor Graham indicted in doping scandal; faces up to 15 years in prison

Posted November 9th, 2006 at 2:30 PM by Anuradha Kher

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Drugs In Sports

Track coach Trevor Graham was charged on November 2nd with three counts of making false statements to federal agents in an indictment issued by the grand jury investigating performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports. Coming week, on November 15th he will attend his arraignment in the US District Court. If convicted he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.

Three years ago, Graham anonymously mailed a syringe containing “the clear,” a previously undetectable steroid to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Graham acknowledged mailing the drug. He was quoted in the Associated Press saying: “I was just a coach doing the right thing at the time.” He did not say why he turned in the syringe or how he got the material. Read the rest of this entry »

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Dear Marion Jones: PLEASE Listen to Mr. Johnson & HANG UP YOUR SPIKES!

Posted October 2nd, 2006 at 12:01 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, SoundOFF, Columns, Drugs In Sports

Dear Marion:

Please listen to and comply with the following advice from the world’s 200m and 400m record holder - Mr. Michael Johnson:

“For the sake of her own well-being and the sport, it would be best if she went away quietly.”

Johnson is giving you VERY sound guidance. Your reputation is beyond repair. Track and field has had MORE than enough negative news coverage. You have gone through more than enough. Your alleged connections to BALCO, your name being dragged through the mud because of Tim Montgomery and then most recently the circus surrounding your 1/2 negative (AND 1/2 positive) test for EPO (erythropoietin). Enough is enough.

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Jones, Gatlin Dominate 100m at US Championships Amongst Great Fanfare

Posted June 24th, 2006 at 8:18 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Marion Jones is a champion once again after an impressive and dominating win in the 100m at the US Championships. Surrounded by swirling allegations, Jones continued her comeback with yet another commanding performance – finishing in 11.10 seconds.

This is Jones’ 14th U.S. championship – although this years win is a very symbolic victory as it is her first sprint championship since 2002.

(Check out the coverage of some other recent Jones victories)

On the men’s side, co-world record holder Justin Gatlin once again easily prevailed in the 100m with a time of 9.93. However, this was somewhat of a disappointment to the more than 10,000 fans on hand in Indianapolis as they hoped to witness the setting of a new world record.

According to Gatlin, being forced to run into strong winds played a large factor in his performance:

“I feel bad for the fans,” Gatlin said. “People wanted to come out here and see a great time. I wasn’t able to produce it. Mother Nature was a big factor in my race.”

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Continuing Her Comeback; Jones to Compete Again Next Week in Hengelo

Posted May 25th, 2006 at 2:57 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Marion Jones, coming back from an 11-month hiatus from competition, last week posted the second fastest 100m time for a woman this season at the Gala Banamex Veracruz meet in Jalapa, Mexico.

In addition to fighting several injuries, Jones has found race invitations hard to come by after the cloud of doping allegations and BALCO connections have swirled around her for the past year. However, after her good showing in Jalapa, she is set to compete again next week in Hengelo, Netherlands.

“Marion Jones was very enthusiastic about her time in Veracruz, and so we jumped in immediately to ask her to come here,” said Ellen van Langen, publicist for the May 28 meet in Hengelo. “After her good experience here last year, she wanted to run in Hengelo.”

The before-mentioned doping allegations have only intensified as her former boyfriend, Tim Montgomery, was arrested on money laundering and bank fraud charges. Additionally, their former coach, Steve Riddick, has also faced charges.

According to ESPN.com, Jones has never tested positive for performance-enhancing substances and has repeatedly denied using them.

Source [ESPN]

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