Hello all and welcome back to another instalment of News Round.

The main story this week was news that US Athlete Marion Jones’ five Sydney Olympic gold medals would be stripped from her reallocated to other athletes. However the International Olympic Committee stated that Greece's Katerina Thanou (who finished 2^nd to Marion at the Sydney Olympics) would not be upgraded to Gold.

The Greek sprinter became infamous, along with training partner Konstantinos Kenteris, just before the 2004 Athens Olympics for faking a motorcycle accident, to avoid a drugs test. They were both banned from competing in the Olympics again but never actually failed a drugs test. It is this reason that Thanou's lawyers are saying she deserves the Gold medal and are preparing to fight for it in the courts

This article will bring you up to date: New York Times article

I do wish Gold medals would be won fairly on the track rather by lawyers in the courts. Looks like the IOC will fight tooth and nail to keep Gold medals out of dirty hands and good luck to them! 

Victor Conte

The next story follows on from last week’s blog which told us how Marion Jones was trying to help youngsters learn from her bad decisions. Victor Contre who ‘sold’ Marion Jones performance enhancing drugs gave an interview and comments on Marion Jones future plans now she has come out of jail.

 "Marion knowingly used drugs and I'm sure she knows it was a mistake. But, I believe Marion is continuing to make a mistake by not coming forward with the entire truth. Her message to kids called the 'Take a Break' programme advises them to think before they lie or cheat. I would like to see Marion follow her own advise and tell the entire truth about her past use of drugs."

For the full story click here

Dwain Chambers

To finish the 'dishonest themed' round up, here is a good article with someone whom Marion Jones should seek some advice from. Dwain Chambers gives an  interview with The Times about his comeback year. Love him or hate him you have to give the guy credit for admitting he took drugs unlike many athletes who pleaded they were innocent.

“I’ve learnt that in life, success and failure come hand in hand, so treat those impostors the same, I don’t get as mad as I used to. I’m having to re-educate myself in the sport, but it’s more fun than it’s ever been. I feel a lot, lot happier now. I can walk into an environment with my team-mates and people are not pointing the finger.”

For the full article Click Here

How about you, should the Greek athlete Thanou receive a Gold medal even though she has been banned from competing in the Olympics? Or is it a case of "innocent until proven guilty"?

What's your opinion?