SIX-MONTH TERM FOR MARION JONES !

American Olympian Marion Jones has been sentenced to six months in prison for lying about steroid use and involvement in a drugs fraud case. The former sprinter pleaded guilty last October and was sentenced on Friday. Lawyers for the defence had requested US District Judge Kenneth Karas limit sentencing the former sprinter to probation or house arrest.

Having already apologised, retired and given up her five Olympic medals, Jones has been punished enough, they argued. Lawyers for the prosecution had suggested any sentence between probation and six months would be fair. Judge Karas had sought advice as to whether he could go beyond the six-month maximum sentence suggested in a plea deal.

Once arguably the most famous female athlete in the world, Jones won gold in the 100 metres, 200m and 4x400m relay as well as bronzes in the long jump and 4x100m relay, at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. While her charisma and big smile won her a global fanbase, her success on the track coupled with photogenic looks won her lucrative endorsements.

But she suffered a spectacular fall from glory last October, admitting lying to a federal investigator in November 2003 when she denied using performance-enhancing drugs. She admitted using a steroid between September 2000 and July 2001. Ms Jones, now 32, also pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators in 2003 about a separate cheque fraud case involving her former boyfriend, sprinter Tim Montgomery, the father of her son, Monty. Montgomery and several others have been convicted in that scam.

Released pending sentencing, Jones made a heart-felt public apology for her actions outside court. "It's with a great amount of shame that I stand before you and tell you that I have betrayed your trust," she said, fighting back tears. "I have been dishonest, and you have the right to be angry with me. I have let (my family) down. I have let my country down, and I have let myself down."

Jones, who returned her medals even before the International Olympic Committee ordered her to do so, has since had her name expunged from the record books.

Hers was one of a number of high-profile doping cases involving top American athletes that have prompted the US Olympic Committee to team up with Major League Baseball and the National Football League with a new initiative aimed at combating drug use in American sport.
BBC NEWS REPORT.