You just heard Marion say she’d let down her country. She meant the United States, but we’ll guess that percentage-wise, there are more Belizeans who feel let down than there are Americans. This afternoon, Keith Swift went to the streets to find out if there was still any love for Marion.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This was the reaction of the people we talked with today about the news that Marion Jones had pleaded guilty to using steroids.
Woman #1: I feel really disappointed in her because she shouldn’t have used it and it shows bad influence to some of the people in Belize that are athletes and she also represents Belize and it makes us looks bad.
Woman #2: When I thought of Marion Jones I thought of a role model to Belizeans and stuff like that so when I heard that about her I was shocked and yeah I was shocked.
KS: How about you?
Woman #3: I think she kind of disgraced herself in that way because she came and she was like this big person we should have respected and stuff and when she came here and now we look at her in a different way.
Woman #4: I was really disappointed because I am a track star also and when I heard that I was a bit disappointed…I am not disappointed in her but disappointed in the fact that she didn’t admit it at first. She denied it and that really disappoints me now.
Man #1: She really disappointed the people of Belize because she did something wrong. She took the thing.
And while there is what seems to be an overwhelming expression of disappointment at Marion Jones, out here on the streets she still has some supporters.
Woman #5: My feelings towards Marion Jones still remains the same. I still feel that she is a wonderful person. She is a positive young lady and she still is a role model.
KS: You’re not a bit disappointed in her?
Woman #5: I am not disappointed because in America they just want to bring you down. They will lift you as high as you can go but from the moment she raised that Belizean flag, they had it in for her. That is what I think.
KS: She said she took steroids, she admitted it.
Man #2 They said the thing which her trainer gave her is steroids. Why will they wait until now to do it when this race business is on?:
Man #3: She should have admitted it admitted it a long time ago. Why did she wait until now? She should have done that before she went to court and then maybe she would have had all his money.
KS: Are you disappointed in her?
Man #3: Well not really because then maybe it was a setup. Maybe she was getting that and didn’t know that it was that they were giving her in her Gatorade or some juice. So I am not disappointed but that is how it goes.
KS: You met Marion in 2001 when she came. If you could talk to her, what would you say to her?
Woman #6: Well just be strong and just stay strong.
