Giving Away Marion Jones' Medals: Tougher than you'd Think

Remember when Marion Jones admitted she was a cheater and relinquished the five medals she won in the 2000 Sydney Olympics?

You felt sort of glad for whoever finished second, right? Winning a gold by default seven years later takes away some of the thrill, of course, but at least justice is served.

Not so fast, says the International Olympic Committee.

As it turns out, Katerina Thanou -- the Greek woman in line to claim the gold medal in the 100m that seemed to be rightfully hers -- may have some drug issues of her own.

Thanou and fellow Greek runner Kostas Kenteris failed to show up for drug tests on the eve of the Athens Olympics, claimed they were injured in a motorcycle accident and eventually pulled out. Both later were suspended for two years.

No word on whether Thanou was doping in Sydney, but the IOC is taking a wait and see approach. From the tenor of its statements, it would seem they are leaning away from awarding it to Thanou.

So we know Jones is out of the running, and it looks like Thanou may have been a cheater, so who gets the gold medal? That would be Tanya Lawrence of Jamaica (on the left in the photo), unless it turns out that she was a cheater too.

And you thought the 2000 Presidential election fiasco couldn't be topped!

For more on Marion Jones and Katerina Thanou
No Automatic Upgrade for medalists (AP, via SI.com)
Jones Gives Back Five Medals (AP, via ESPN.com)