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Marion Jones

2017 and 2019 Speaker

MARION JONES is one of world’s the most celebrated athletes. She declined a spot on the US Olympic Relay Team as a high school student, and accepted a basketball scholarship and attended the University of North Carolina, where she led her Tar Heel team to the 1994 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship. After graduating, she returned to the track and won gold medals in the 100 meters and 4×100 meter relay in the 1997 World Championships. Jones went on to win three gold medals and two bronze at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. For years after her triumphs in the 2000 Olympic Games, allegations that Jones used performance-enhancing drugs persisted. Finally, in October 2007, she admitted that despite never testing positive, she had lied to federal investigators and, had in fact used performance-enhancing drugs. As a result of her confession, Jones was sentenced, and served six months in federal prison for lying to federal investigators.  She voluntarily returned her five Olympic medals, and publicly apologized to her family, friends and fans all over the world. Jones’ book, On the Right Track, demonstrates how she has committed her life to inspiring others who face life-challenging situations. In 2010, she successfully completed her rookie year in the WNBA and returned to the Tulsa Shock for her second season in 2011. In 2012, Jones started her own business called MJEP-Marion Jones Elite Performance. In 2017, she became a certified personal trainer with Camp Gladiator.  @marionjones