Marion Jones and TGH

It is with great shock and sadness that I watched the live confession Marion Jones , one of the greatest female artists of this century admit to taking drugs between 2000 and 2001. The 31 year old who won 5 medals at the Sydney Olympic-3 golds and 2 bronzes has had to return all of them to the Olympic committee. She admitted to receiving the drugs from San Francisco BALCO laboratory who has been involved in the scandal for apparently producing this designer drug tetrahydrogestrinone (TGH) or popularly called the clear because it doe not show up in doping tests.

TGH is has observed to be outstanding, surpassing, on a milligram per milligram basis, every known synthesized or commercial available anabolic steroid at the time of its development. It has also been seen to be around 10 times more potent than the comparison drugs nandrolone or trenbolone( na you know), and produces growth of muscle tissue. This drug was developed by Patrick Arnold and was unknown until 2003 when Trevor Graham anonymously tipped off the United States anti doping agency (USADA) and mailed a sample of the substance. Since then, several high profile athletes have been found guilty of using this steroid(oversabi...but u have to have full facts so i crave ur indulgence)

However, how can a drug so potent go unnoticed for so long? Is it a case where people have just turned a blind eye to ensure the sport receives the glory.Afterall it is a multi million dollar industry with sponsorships from major companies in the world for the top finishers. What would make an athlete who had a record of success in her carrier decide to use drugs at the peak of her career? Would it be put down to bad influence from her partner J C Hunter who had earlier tested positive for anabolic steroids before the Olympics? This is a woman who led her high school team in basketball once scoring 48 points in a single game. She also earned a scholarship to university of North Carolina and was the starting point guard during her freshman years leading the team to win the national title. This is a clear case of bad company corrupts good character. I guess she doesn't know Paul says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things though Christ who strengthens us and that includes winning the 100 meters race. I am sure she had a Christian upbringing and knows this. Truth be told, it can be hard to do the right thing sometimes specially when so much is at stake but I rather die trying than face the shame and disgrace of being caught out in a lie or deception.

I and a friend were talking about it and his opinion is that every athlete should be given drugs before the competition to ensure fairness. I beg to differ on that. Anyway, more gist later on less serious matters.