Disgraced Olympian Marion Jones' Life Lessons
Jones told students to make the right decision in life.
By KRISTI NELSON
Updated 4:45 PM CST, Fri, Oct 16, 2009
The athlete once dubbed the "fastest woman on earth" spoke to students at Dallas' Samuell High School Friday.
Marion Jones talked about how to avoid making bad decisions. It is something she knows a lot about, after a steroid scandal that landed her in jail.
"I'm here today to encourage you not to make some of the negative choices that I made in my life," Jones said.
In early 2008, Jones was convicted of lying to federal prosecutors about her use of performance enhancing drugs.
She was tripped of the five medals -- three gold and two bronze -- that she won at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Jones was sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to complete 800 community service hours.
"The consequences of my choices were way more than I ever would have imagined," she said. "You see, no matter who you are, or what you've accomplished, your choices have consequences."
"I'm encouraging you to take a break, and think and seek advice before you make decisions that could negatively affect you and others."
As part of her community service, Jones is speaking to students across the country. She told them to be picky about the people with whom they associate, and encouraged them to seek advice before making life-altering decisions.
"You make good choices when you hang with people who are doing the right thing, and when you chill with losers, you're a loser too. It's as simple as that."
First Published: Oct 16, 2009 3:06 PM CST
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