Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images
I was excited about this week’s documentary for ESPN’s “30 for 30” series. Last night the network aired “Marion Jones: Press Pause,” which focuses on Olympian/fallen hero Marion Jones. The potential for another moving and intriguing documentary was there, as it had these elements:
- A respected director: Oscar-nominee John Singleton
- A superstar athlete and Olympic medalist for the subject matter: Marion Jones
- A controversial story involving superstar’s fall from grace: Jones’ guilty plea and prison sentence for perjury, and the IOC stripping her of all Olympic medals for steroid use.
So why was I left unmoved, bored, and at times disgusted? In fact, I didn’t even make it through the entire documentary, choosing to not “press pause,” but press OFF on my remote.
The documentary lacked sophistication for a piece directed by someone of Singleton’s caliber. The opening scenes show the long tearful statement by Jones when she pled guilty to perjury, followed with a brief commentary by Singleton, who also does the narration. It’s obvious that Singleton’s comfort zone isn’t in front of the camera. The film’s goal was unclear. Was its purpose to inform, evoke sympathy for Jones, or shock viewers? If anything, it seemed Singleton was hoping to evoke sympathy, as it seemed to have some bias in favor of the former athlete.
Jones appears throughout the film (at least in the 3/4 of it that I watched), portraying herself as a sympathetic figure while still admitting culpability. Her account of when, how, and why she lied to federal officials regarding steroid use, however, was borderline appalling, as was the suggestion (by some in the film) that Jones was cajoled by those surrounding her into participating in nefarious acts. This is a theory I find implausible, given what a strong competitor and “in control” figure was Jones during the height of her career. Jones navigated her own course, and it was she who made decisions regarding her personal and professional life. What’s more interesting is how many questionable coaches and trainers she associated herself with during her competitive career, including Steve Riddick, CJ Hunter, and Trevor Graham.
Watching Jones drive her BMW back to the Carswell prison where she served her sentence and then discuss all which she has lost seemed quite a contradiction. Respect, honor, and medals were lost. But to the average viewer, the image of someone driving a luxury car and discussing all they’ve lost fails to evoke sympathy from most of us.
I suppose we can’t all be winners, and neither Singleton nor ESPN will make my medal podium for this production.
Swifter, Higher, Stronger.
The Olympic Fanatic 
I am sorry that you felt that way, but the world still admires Marion Jones for coming clean in the end and accepting the penalty for the choices she had made. We feel her pain. If she was living outside the United States, she would still be an Olympian star today. There are many in the US that grudge her for her achievement and will forever work on bringing her down. Besides that, she is black, and is of Caribbean origin and carries two flags, an American and Belizean flag. As Belizeans we are proud of Marion Jones. She is still our Belizean Hero and our 2000 Olympic Champion, who won five medals and raised the Belizean Flag at the victory line in Sydney Australia. That glorious moment will never be erased from the memory of the Belizean people. It is now history and no one can removed it. She is still our Belizean Sport Ambassador, an honor that was bestowed on her in in 2001 in Belize. A stadium in Belize City was also named the “Marion Jones Stadium” in her honor. So while people like you will forever work on destroying her integrity, Belizeans have been forgiving her and will move on with her as she tracks her future in a positive direction.
Thanks for your comment, Oswin. I”m always welcome to debating topics here.
My criticism was mainly directed at the documentary itself and how it failed to do a better job at informing and painting Jones in a sympathetic light. I don’t feel as if I am trying to ‘destroy her integrity.’ The dictionary defines integrity as “adherence to a code of especially moral values.” Jones’ integrity was not present when she chose to lie. However, I can only hope that she is remorseful, and is working to regain her integrity.
As I mentioned in a previous blog post, life is about second chances, and certainly Jones deserves that if she is truly remorseful for her previous actions. Unfortunately, the documentary just didn’t do a good job at making the average person sympathetic to her plight.
I’m glad the people of Belize have a hero and I’m sure Marion is grateful for their support!