Fall from Grace

We have been always too eager to criticize sportspersons over their inability to win. The lack of a killer instinct, no mean fighting spirit, inability to be strategic...the list goes on and on.

However, does winning always come at a cost? After years of denying, Marion Jones finally admitted to being a willing partner in the BALCO scandal. Once a symbol of everything that is right about being a female athlete, Marion Jones's fall from grace is now complete. Rightfully, Marion Jones is going to be stripped of all her medals.

We live in an world that is unforgiving to people who finish 2nd. Marion Jones has not only disgraced herself, but also taken away the joy from a person who rightfully (with a big IF) finished 1st.

I have always been an admirer of American sportstars. I am not so sure anymore. America seems to have a culture problem as far as sports is concerned. Corruption seems to have immersed itself in the American sport. Barry Bonds, Lance Armstrong, NFL players and everybody else seems to be involved. Astoundingly American society seems to be unwilling to admit the extent of the problem.

Sure it feels good to come 1st. But I will always take the nice guys who fight hard but may not win! Because the word "win" now seems to stand for everything that wrong with sports today.