WORLD VIEWS

Gail Devers one of the best female sprinters of all time was born November 19th 1966 in Seattle, Washington. Dever’s accomplishments include 3 Olympic Gold medals, 5 World Championship Gold medals, 3 world Championship Silver medals and Gold medals at the World Indoor Championships and Pan American Games. Devers is an advocate for athletes competing clean without the use of steroids and other performance enhancement drugs. In a report from Indopia Dever’s states, “There should be zero tolerance to drugs in sports. By zerotolerance I mean that if you are caught doping you don't get a second chance and your name gets erased from all records”. Dever’s is the perfect example of a driven athlete dedicated to the sport and protecting of the name of athletes. Devers is a survivor of Grave’s and made a comeback when many believed that she could never come back from such a debilitating disease. But because of her dedication, excellent training and her drive she made a comeback and became one of the best women sprinters known as the American Sprint Queen.

 

 

 

Passion Richardson was born January 25 1975 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Passion was a member of the USA 4×100 meter Relay team that competed in 2000 Summer Olympics held in Sydney, Australia placing third. In response to Marion admitting her steroid use the International Olympic Committee requests that she be stripped of her medals along with her teammates. Richardson strongly believes that the teammates should keep their medals. The Kansas City Star reports, according to Richardson, “I have competed fairly and I should not have to suffer the consequences for someone else’s bad decisions and choices.” Richardson said on the “Early Show” on CBS. “I’m not happy with the fact that my character is going to now come into question as to whether or not I was using steroids.”

 

Debbie Ferugson-McKenzie was born January January 16th 1976 in Nassau, Bahamas. In 1994 Debbie graduated from St Andrew's School and furthered her education at the University of Georgia. After the completion of college Debbie bursts on the scene and won a series of medals at the Summer Olympics, IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games.

Debbie has always been a rival of Marion Jones and in response to her doping incident she claims to have no remorse for her situation. In a story carried by The Jamaica Gleaner Debbie states, “It's not even necessarilyabout the money, which is important, but I never got a chance - the Olympics, yes, with the relay - but as far as the World Championships (is concerned), getting to hear your national anthem. That moment like, 'oh my God, I'm number one, this is it. She robbed me of that, so you know what, she needs to go to jail. That's just how I feel."

It seems evident that many members of the athletic society are outraged at Marion’s decision to use steroids. Many athletes feel robbed and athletes such as Debbie Ferguson a former training member and friend of Marion are all impacted by her decision.