The Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) was an American company led by founder and owner Victor Conte. BALCO marketed tetrahydrogestrinone (THG, known als the "Clear"), a then-undetected, performance-enhancing steroid. BALCO had supplied a number of high-profile sports stars from the United States and Europe with the Clear and human growth hormone for several years.
Following allegations made by Victor Conte in relation to doping offences being committed, in particular in relation to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the IOC established a Disciplinary Commission to investigate the consequences of such allegations and the activities of the BALCO Laboratory in relation to the Olympic Games.
The IOC received in October 2007, a document, entitled “Acceptance of Sanction”, which had been signed by Ms Jones on 8 October 2007. Pursuant to such document, Ms Jones, amongst other things:
1.) acknowledged that she “used the prohibited substance known as the “clear” prior to, during and after the 2000 Olympic Games…”;
2.) accepted a “two (2) year period of ineligibility […] beginning on [8 October 2007]”;
3.) accepted a “disqualification of all competitive results obtained on or subsequent to September 1, 2000, including forfeiture of all medals, results, points and prizes”; and
4.) accepted “a two (2) year period of ineligibility, beginning on [8 October 2007], from participating or coaching in U.S. Olympic […] Trials, being a member of any U.S. Olympic […] Team […]”.
Ms Jones, via the USOC, returned to the IOC the five medals that she won at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
By letter dated 28 November 2007, the President of the IAAF informed the President of the IOC that the IAAF Council confirmed the following consequences (amongst others) in the case of Ms Jones:
“- A 2-year period of ineligibility beginning on the date of her acceptance of sanction
dated 8 October 2007, i.e. until 7 October 2009.
- Disqualification of Ms Jones from all competitions on or subsequent to 1 September 2000;
- Annulment of all her individual competitive results on or subsequent to 1 September 2000;
- Annulment of the results of all relay teams in which she competed in IAAF competitions on or subsequent to 1 September 2000; and
- Forfeiture and return of all awards and medals obtained in relation to the above competitions.”
The IOC Disciplinary Commission notes the fact that Ms Jones blatantly lied for a number of years concerning her taking prohibited substances. The Disciplinary Commission also notes that, after being under much pressure to do so, Ms Jones has recently admitted to having committed anti-doping rule violations.
The Disciplinary Commission considers that, in addition to the sanctions recommended in relation to the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games, sanctions should also be imposed against Ms Jones in relation to future Olympic Games. The Disciplinary Commission is of the view that Ms Jones should not be eligible for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in any capacity – i.e. she should not receive accreditation as an athlete, coach, official, journalist or otherwise.
Therefore the IOC Executive Board, as recommended by the IOC Disciplinary Commission, decides that:
1.) the Athlete Marion Jones be disqualified from the following events in which she competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in the sport of athletics:
- 100m, where she placed 1st;
- 200m, where she placed 1st;
- 4 x 400m relay, where the team she was on placed 1st;
- 4 x 100m relay, where the team she was on placed 3rd; and
- Long jump, where she placed 3rd.
2.) The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) be requested to return to the IOC the diplomas awarded to Ms Jones in the above-noted events (it being acknowledged that the USOC has already returned to the IOC the medals won by Ms Jones in such events).
3.) Ms Jones be disqualified from the following event in which she competed at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in the sport of athletics:
- Long jump, where she placed 5th
4.) The USOC be requested to return to the IOC the diploma awarded to Ms Jones in the above-noted event.
5.) The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) be requested to take the appropriate steps so that its records reflect the above.
6.) Ms Jones be ineligible for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in any capacity.
7.) Ms Jones be notified that the IOC reserves its rights to consider possible further sanctions against her, in particular permanent ineligibility for all future Olympic Games in any capacity, pending the outcome of the BALCO investigation.
8.) The issue of adjusting the rankings of the athletes that finished behind Ms Jones in the individual events referred to above be addressed by the IOC Executive Board in due course, pending the IOC receiving full access to the documentation concerning the BALCO case.
