7 Dec 2010

Marion Jones wants another chance

7:00 am on 7 December 2010

The disgraced American sprinter Marion Jones, who served a six-month prison sentence after admitting perjury in the Balco drugs scandal, says she doesn't believe first-time offenders should be banned from the sport for life.

Jones won 3 gold medals in the Sydney Olympics 10 years ago but after admitting to federal investigators that she'd taken illegal substances, she was stripped of those along with two bronze medals won at the same Games.

Jones is now playing women's basketball in the United States and says she's sorry for what she's done, she made one mistake and deserves another chance.

Jones says two strikes and you're out is fair enough but a lifetime ban from athletics for one mistake is too harsh.