The Washington Post is reporting that Marion Jones failed a drug test at the U.S. nationals earlier this year. The test turned up a little erythropoietin, or EPO, as the cool kids call it. If her 'B' sample turns up the same thing, she's looking at a two-year ban. I'll give you a few minutes to recover from the shock.
Just as a reminder, here's a brief history of previous Marion Jones doping accusations:
• Her ex-husband, C.J. Hunter (a doper himself), once testified that he witnessed Jones injecting herself with steroids.
• Victor Conte told 20/20 that he supplied Jones with various illegal performance enhancers during and after the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
• Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada reported that BALCO had provided Jones with some banned substances.
This one doesn't exactly fall into the category of "tragic downfall of once-beloved hero." This one's more in the "no freakin' kidding" category. But, you know, innocent until proven guilty, waiting for the 'B' sample, all of that. I'm sure we're all willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.
M. Jones Failed Drug Test in June [Washington Post]