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On the Right Track: From Olympic Downfall to Finding Forgiveness and the Strength to Overcome and Succeed
For more than a decade, Marion Jones was hailed as the “the fastest woman on the planet.” At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, she became the first woman ever to win five medals at one Olympics. That same year, the Associated Press and ESPN named her Athlete of the Year. She was on the cover of Vogue and Time . She seemed to have it all—fame, fortune, talent, and international acclaim. Now she is a convicted felon.
The trouble started in 2003 when she lied to federal agents about her use of a performance-enhancing drug and her knowledge of a check fraud scam. In 2007, no longer able to live with the lies, she admitted the truth. In a sad end to what seemed like a storybook career, she was stripped of her medals, and her track-and-field records were wiped from the books.
She was incarcerated at Carswell federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas—a prison known for its violence and abuse. While there, she kept herself in shape and her sanity intact by running on a dirt track and a treadmill in the prison’s improvised weight room. But her imprisonment was not the end for Marion Jones. In fact, it marked a new beginning. She is now using her story to change the lives of people the world over and inspire others who, like her, face obstacles that seem insurmountable.
On the Right Track is the candidly told story of how Marion came to grips with her lies and the consequences of her actions, and how she found meaning in all of it. What she tells her children and has now applied to her own life is that when you make a mistake, you admit it, you accept the consequences, you move on, you make the wrong a right. She teaches her children and others to take a break and pause before making impulsive and potentially harmful decisions.
At the heart of this book are real issues that we all learning to grow through pain; making decisions that will help us far into the future; overcoming failure and discouragement; and applying practical principles that point the way to personal and spiritual breakthrough.
The trouble started in 2003 when she lied to federal agents about her use of a performance-enhancing drug and her knowledge of a check fraud scam. In 2007, no longer able to live with the lies, she admitted the truth. In a sad end to what seemed like a storybook career, she was stripped of her medals, and her track-and-field records were wiped from the books.
She was incarcerated at Carswell federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas—a prison known for its violence and abuse. While there, she kept herself in shape and her sanity intact by running on a dirt track and a treadmill in the prison’s improvised weight room. But her imprisonment was not the end for Marion Jones. In fact, it marked a new beginning. She is now using her story to change the lives of people the world over and inspire others who, like her, face obstacles that seem insurmountable.
On the Right Track is the candidly told story of how Marion came to grips with her lies and the consequences of her actions, and how she found meaning in all of it. What she tells her children and has now applied to her own life is that when you make a mistake, you admit it, you accept the consequences, you move on, you make the wrong a right. She teaches her children and others to take a break and pause before making impulsive and potentially harmful decisions.
At the heart of this book are real issues that we all learning to grow through pain; making decisions that will help us far into the future; overcoming failure and discouragement; and applying practical principles that point the way to personal and spiritual breakthrough.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 16, 2011
Marion Jones disappoints again.
I was a big fan of Marion Jones at the time of the 2000 Olympics. She seemed to represent everything we Americans could be proud of. As a runner myself I especially admired her. Then, she turned out to be just another star athlete who felt they were above the rules. I had hoped that she would give an honest account in this book about everything that lead to her taking performance enhancing drugs. That was not to be the case. Instead she has gone the way of other fallen stars with lame excuse that she didn’t know what she was taking; she thought it was flaxseed oil. In the book the only mistake she really admits to, or elaborates on was lying to Federal Prosecutors. She makes the claim that it is only what you do after the “mistake” that matters. Tell that to the people she raced against in 2000.
I wish Marion Jones would have looked at this book as an opportunity to help other young athletes struggling to get to the next level, to help them to make better decisions. Instead, she used it to try to clear her conscience. She repeats over and over again how wonderful her life is, and quite frankly how wonderful she is, since she admitted to lying and did her prison time. I am afraid that just like when she took the performance enhancing drugs, she is only concerned about herself.
In spite of all this, I wish Marion Jones and her family well. But this is not a good book.
I was a big fan of Marion Jones at the time of the 2000 Olympics. She seemed to represent everything we Americans could be proud of. As a runner myself I especially admired her. Then, she turned out to be just another star athlete who felt they were above the rules. I had hoped that she would give an honest account in this book about everything that lead to her taking performance enhancing drugs. That was not to be the case. Instead she has gone the way of other fallen stars with lame excuse that she didn’t know what she was taking; she thought it was flaxseed oil. In the book the only mistake she really admits to, or elaborates on was lying to Federal Prosecutors. She makes the claim that it is only what you do after the “mistake” that matters. Tell that to the people she raced against in 2000.
I wish Marion Jones would have looked at this book as an opportunity to help other young athletes struggling to get to the next level, to help them to make better decisions. Instead, she used it to try to clear her conscience. She repeats over and over again how wonderful her life is, and quite frankly how wonderful she is, since she admitted to lying and did her prison time. I am afraid that just like when she took the performance enhancing drugs, she is only concerned about herself.
In spite of all this, I wish Marion Jones and her family well. But this is not a good book.
October 24, 2013
What would you do if you could either tell the truth and go to jail, or lie and stay safe?
In "On The Right Track", an autobiography by Marion Jones, she must ask herself this question and watch for the consequences it may bring if she makes the wrong decision. Marion was once classified as the fastest woman in the world. She was an olympic gold medalist in track ad field, and highly respected all around the world. That is, until she took a wrong turn...
Her coach, Trevor Graham, told her to take flaxseed oil and she did, obviously not meaning any harm, just trying to obey her coach's demand. Unfortunately, she was to naive by taking it, because it backfired. What Marion Jones thought was flaxseed oil, turned out to be a very strong steroid called the clear.
Throughout the book Marion is faced with several tough decisions like whether or not to lie in court. And she does... When she is proven guilty she's sent to jail and sentenced for 8 months, and so is her coach.
Marion tells a story about her life in jail, and how she went from the top to rock bottom. In the end she gets out of jail to be reunited with her kids and husband. She goes on to play for the Tulsa sock professional basketball team.
All of her actions and decisions throughout the book leave her with one conclusion on lie. It's better to physically suffer than have your conscious suffer.
In "On The Right Track", an autobiography by Marion Jones, she must ask herself this question and watch for the consequences it may bring if she makes the wrong decision. Marion was once classified as the fastest woman in the world. She was an olympic gold medalist in track ad field, and highly respected all around the world. That is, until she took a wrong turn...
Her coach, Trevor Graham, told her to take flaxseed oil and she did, obviously not meaning any harm, just trying to obey her coach's demand. Unfortunately, she was to naive by taking it, because it backfired. What Marion Jones thought was flaxseed oil, turned out to be a very strong steroid called the clear.
Throughout the book Marion is faced with several tough decisions like whether or not to lie in court. And she does... When she is proven guilty she's sent to jail and sentenced for 8 months, and so is her coach.
Marion tells a story about her life in jail, and how she went from the top to rock bottom. In the end she gets out of jail to be reunited with her kids and husband. She goes on to play for the Tulsa sock professional basketball team.
All of her actions and decisions throughout the book leave her with one conclusion on lie. It's better to physically suffer than have your conscious suffer.
January 11, 2013
What drew me to this book, was my relation to track. Track is my favorite sport and making a connection to the book, makes it even more interesting. This book kept me on the edge of my chair was with the books suspicion, and vivid details to what was happening. Marion Jones was a phenomenal athlete who could do anything if she just set her mind to it. Everyone says " your friends of today will always be your friends rich or poor, through good and bad". Well by the quotes, Marion Jones didn't get that message. Throught her career, many people have been trying to steer her the wrong way, and influence her to do the wrong things. You never know who it could be, your "best friend" , coach, or parents. Marion Jones was so focused on her goal she lost focus on herself and what important people in her life were doing to her. She suffers a hard tragedy that will not only affect her, but will affect her friends, family, and friends. When reading this book, you will see how your inner values will come into place, even through hard times. Even though this is a very emitional book, it also teaches a good life lesson and makes you think twice in things. " On the Right Track" is a very eye catching and intense book that will get you off your chair.
November 11, 2011
a.) The thing that I like most about this book was how honest she was about the mistakes she made. She came out and said, "Yes I took steriods and I was a part of some check fraud with my ex boyfriend." She lied to the federal government but she even came out and wrote about everything envolving the invistigation and her jail time. I admire her honesty.
b.) The thing that bothers me the most about this book is how badly the women in the jail are treated. I understand that they are all criminals but in the end they are all human beings. They deserve a right to sufficient medical attention. But there are times when women need to have surgery are just given 3 Tylenol and told to go lay in their beds.
c.)"It's what you do after the mistake that really matters, after all. That's what defines your legacy. We can take our experiences and grow from them, move beyond the shame of them, and use what they have taught us. When you start understanding this, you can live your life with greater joy and purpose." On the Right Track by Marion Jones. Chapter 2
d.) Should a professional athlete be punished more severely for a crime than just any regular person? If so why?
b.) The thing that bothers me the most about this book is how badly the women in the jail are treated. I understand that they are all criminals but in the end they are all human beings. They deserve a right to sufficient medical attention. But there are times when women need to have surgery are just given 3 Tylenol and told to go lay in their beds.
c.)"It's what you do after the mistake that really matters, after all. That's what defines your legacy. We can take our experiences and grow from them, move beyond the shame of them, and use what they have taught us. When you start understanding this, you can live your life with greater joy and purpose." On the Right Track by Marion Jones. Chapter 2
d.) Should a professional athlete be punished more severely for a crime than just any regular person? If so why?
December 15, 2021
Tl;dr: Marion Jones thinks she is Jesus, or at the very least a prophet. This book is about god more than anything else.
Admitting to being a cheat doesn't make you less of a cheat, and taking your punishment doesn't make you a martyr. This whole books was just a load of self-canonizing drivel. To be focused on the "terrible mistakes" she made, Marion Jones sure does brag a lot about her person and way of being.
Reading this was like a bad hand of poker; I kept betting, hoping for a better card on the turn, and eventually I was in so deep I kept betting even though I knew I was going to lose. Absolute waste of time.
Admitting to being a cheat doesn't make you less of a cheat, and taking your punishment doesn't make you a martyr. This whole books was just a load of self-canonizing drivel. To be focused on the "terrible mistakes" she made, Marion Jones sure does brag a lot about her person and way of being.
Reading this was like a bad hand of poker; I kept betting, hoping for a better card on the turn, and eventually I was in so deep I kept betting even though I knew I was going to lose. Absolute waste of time.
August 18, 2014
Not very well written, but interesting. Seemed like a poor excuse though, that she "thought it was flaxseed oil," personally I don't know whether to believe this and it seems like she's taking the easy way out. Trying to push the idea of 'I didn't know, therefore I didn't REALLY do anything wrong!' I don't know about that. Would have been cool to get more detail in some places about her life as well. It is, after all, somewhat of a memoir, no?
April 30, 2011
Meh. I still don't buy the story. Sorry, Marion.
September 29, 2023
I think I misunderstood what this book was about. I had seen a brief documentary about Marion Jones and her doping scandal after the 2000 Sydney Olympics so, when I saw she had a book out, I added it to my list. However, in reading her memoir, I assumed I would be reading about Marion's entire life, not just part of it.
Let me explain, this book is good. I liked the information Marion provided from her point of view about what happened after the Olympics, the legal process of her case, then her experiences in prison, and the aftermath trying to get her life back on track. While all of that was good, I think a big part of this book that was missing was how Marion got to that point in her life. You get next to nothing about what lead to the Olympics really.
I mean, she does touch on it, emphasis on "touch". The first several pages of the book is Marion's story. She devoted a few sentences, maybe a paragraph total, about her parents, upbringing, and how she ended up getting into the track and field world, which lead to the Olympics. When she talks about the Olympics, it is very brief. If you read her book and took it at face value, you would think she did not do any competitions before Sydney, and nothing much after. When it came to the Olympics, it was more I attended and I won. That is the entire reason for my lower star; I felt like so much of who Marion is, and how she came to be, was glossed over or ignored here, and that is a real shame.
I did like that Marion took responsibility for her ignorance here. She talks about being given "flaxseed oil" which turned out to be a steroid. She does talk about trusting her coaches to much, and how that hurt her. She does outright say, she should have asked more questions. In my opinion, she did not lay blame on anyone but herself when it came to taking the Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED). She also takes responsibility for lying to the federal agents which is what ultimately landed her in prison, not the fact that she took steroids at all.
Overall, three out of five stars because I feel like I read a book about a few months of Marion's life, and still know very little about who she is as a person.
Let me explain, this book is good. I liked the information Marion provided from her point of view about what happened after the Olympics, the legal process of her case, then her experiences in prison, and the aftermath trying to get her life back on track. While all of that was good, I think a big part of this book that was missing was how Marion got to that point in her life. You get next to nothing about what lead to the Olympics really.
I mean, she does touch on it, emphasis on "touch". The first several pages of the book is Marion's story. She devoted a few sentences, maybe a paragraph total, about her parents, upbringing, and how she ended up getting into the track and field world, which lead to the Olympics. When she talks about the Olympics, it is very brief. If you read her book and took it at face value, you would think she did not do any competitions before Sydney, and nothing much after. When it came to the Olympics, it was more I attended and I won. That is the entire reason for my lower star; I felt like so much of who Marion is, and how she came to be, was glossed over or ignored here, and that is a real shame.
I did like that Marion took responsibility for her ignorance here. She talks about being given "flaxseed oil" which turned out to be a steroid. She does talk about trusting her coaches to much, and how that hurt her. She does outright say, she should have asked more questions. In my opinion, she did not lay blame on anyone but herself when it came to taking the Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED). She also takes responsibility for lying to the federal agents which is what ultimately landed her in prison, not the fact that she took steroids at all.
Overall, three out of five stars because I feel like I read a book about a few months of Marion's life, and still know very little about who she is as a person.
July 1, 2023
I know Marion Jones better now. That was my reason for reading this version of her story. I’m taking her at her word. Her recounting of her time in Carswell is absorbing. Her recall of relationships with other inmates intimate. Her detail of prison conditions eye opening and often disgusting. Is her account self- serving? Maybe, but she’s made a good life for herself now with Oba and their three children after losing everything. Good for her that she was open to God mentoring her. And good for her that she brings that into the story. After all, it’s her story, written as she wants to tell it. She’s still an all time winner for me.
January 23, 2024
She won medals in Olympics, lied to federal agents as 2 times she took performance drugs. She went to jail for 6 months. What kept her going was her faith in God. She is now using her experience to help others.
“ I saw her interview on Ophra”.
“ I saw her interview on Ophra”.
August 5, 2017
More like a spiritual story and less on detail especially her pre doping years. The chapters about prison are harrowing but again the stories she starts don't end.
September 14, 2023
Starts well and ends like she started to fall asleep. Quick read.
August 7, 2015
Gah! This is a forced read. Biographies on living people is not really my thing. I usually go for historical figures.
As I said in my updated I was NOT impressed with the writing neither the story.
The editors really should consider re-releasing a special edition of this book with a saddest most depressing set of classical strings they could lay hands on.
It really got out of hand then she told the story of the fight while behind bars. I'm going to be paraphrasing here because I don't remember the exact wording. She basically said that she couldn't really remember what happen but she knew that all she remember that the woman approached her and next thing you know she was on the ground.
I believe Marion Jones is about 5'10" and while being a sprinter she's not very heavy but she's mostly muscle. I'm sure the fight did happen fast. Very fast. Marion likely dropped that woman like a stone.
I understand that she was scared and anyone not used to that side of life would be.
I know you can feel the "but" coming on at this point in my review.
BUT, I'm sorry... Why does it feel like she's almost afraid to show any kind of strength? Mental or physical. I've seen her in action and in interviews and she continues to maintain this attitude of, "Well, I trusted them and I did as I was told."
I honestly believed this was going to be a story about a strong female athlete who listen to the wrong people and changed her attitude about regaining control of her life. Not a scared defenseless little bunny who got in trouble even though she always did what she was told.
This story was not inspirational to me at all. Not completely sure if it was because of the passive aggressive way it was written or maybe this is how she really feels. I just can't read this and think, "Yes, this woman struggled and survived and found inner strength." Wasn't feeling or seeing that at all.
It felt more like she hunched her shoulders and only presented the wretched side of her situation. The problem with that is she didn't, not really, took responsibility for it. She maintained that attitude that she would never question her trainer and did as she was told. While I do agree on her issues with women's prisons and the situation there. Let's not forget the title of this book and reason it was supposedly written.
I'm a good girl, honest I am. It wasn't my fault, really it wasn't.
Like I said, not inspirational.
As I said in my updated I was NOT impressed with the writing neither the story.
The editors really should consider re-releasing a special edition of this book with a saddest most depressing set of classical strings they could lay hands on.
It really got out of hand then she told the story of the fight while behind bars. I'm going to be paraphrasing here because I don't remember the exact wording. She basically said that she couldn't really remember what happen but she knew that all she remember that the woman approached her and next thing you know she was on the ground.
I believe Marion Jones is about 5'10" and while being a sprinter she's not very heavy but she's mostly muscle. I'm sure the fight did happen fast. Very fast. Marion likely dropped that woman like a stone.
I understand that she was scared and anyone not used to that side of life would be.
I know you can feel the "but" coming on at this point in my review.
BUT, I'm sorry... Why does it feel like she's almost afraid to show any kind of strength? Mental or physical. I've seen her in action and in interviews and she continues to maintain this attitude of, "Well, I trusted them and I did as I was told."
I honestly believed this was going to be a story about a strong female athlete who listen to the wrong people and changed her attitude about regaining control of her life. Not a scared defenseless little bunny who got in trouble even though she always did what she was told.
This story was not inspirational to me at all. Not completely sure if it was because of the passive aggressive way it was written or maybe this is how she really feels. I just can't read this and think, "Yes, this woman struggled and survived and found inner strength." Wasn't feeling or seeing that at all.
It felt more like she hunched her shoulders and only presented the wretched side of her situation. The problem with that is she didn't, not really, took responsibility for it. She maintained that attitude that she would never question her trainer and did as she was told. While I do agree on her issues with women's prisons and the situation there. Let's not forget the title of this book and reason it was supposedly written.
I'm a good girl, honest I am. It wasn't my fault, really it wasn't.
Like I said, not inspirational.
August 10, 2016
Very honest and compelling. I am inspired by her virtuousness towards her family, co-inmates, and the people around her. I can read how eager she is to tell other people what she's learned. Her athletic nature of doing her best and being motivated towards a goal shows in the way she writes. It is true that a person need not to fall to learn, it is possible to live towards moral goodness from other stories told and lives lived. Great is the God who kept her going and used her for His glory. Thank you, Marion Jones, for writing this book. I praise God for your life!
September 30, 2011
Marion Jones does an excellent job in this book: owning up to having done something wrong, serving her time, enduring psychological pain, and being able to pull her life back together once she got out of jail. She frequently talks about how her faith in God helped her get through those difficult times in her life. This is a good book about a fall from grace and then getting back on your feet type of story. This would make for a valuable read for young adults as well as older adults.
January 7, 2011
This was an okay story but I got tripped up by the number of typos. A $25 book should be edited more closely. There were places too where it seemed a bit like she was whining about what she'd been through and that really turned me off. It just seemed like she has a pretty nice life. Sure she hit a rough patch but don't we all?
February 27, 2011
I read this for a book club I'm part of at work and because she's giving a talk at work in a couple months. I wasn't overly impressed by her story (Olympic athlete admits to using performance enhancing drugs, goes to jail, writes book about how she's learned to make the right choices.) I found the book preachy and full of cliches. The only part I found interesting was her description of prison
March 30, 2016
I always admired Marion Jones growing up -I thought how great it is to be a female and be so powerful to be the top of your craft. She let me and the nation down but had it not been for her mistakes and downfall I and many others would not have learned what it means to be human and to understand that in every negative occurance there is a potential to grow.
January 2, 2011
This was an OK book in my opinion. It opened my eyes to a mother trying to stay in contact with her children while serving her prison sentence. However, it seemed to jump around a bit for my liking. I am hoping that Marion has found happiness in her new life post-Olympic scandal.
April 25, 2012
Actually, I should hardly mark this as read. It was so poorly written I could hardly get through it; I ended up basically skimming and I think I eventually just quit reading it. It was terrible--proof that just because you're famous doesn't mean you should write a book.
Read
January 11, 2011a great book about overcoming trials and making the decison to continue to live
Read
September 13, 2012I received this book while I was at the Dr. Phil show. Marion was a guest and enjoyed listening to her story and reading her story.
May 9, 2013
It was a great book. A bit repetitive (reoccurring theme of not lying) but still an interesting read.
October 14, 2013
Probably better suited to young adults. Marion Jones is still one heck of a runner
August 24, 2016
I thought this book had a clear and good message about honesty and being true to who you are. I don't usually like biographies, but this was short and interesting.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews