For years, Marion Jones angrily denied using steroids. On Friday, she admitted it was all a lie. The three-time Olympic gold medalist pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators when she denied using performance-enhancing drugs, and announced her retirement after the hearing. Jones also pleaded guilty to a second count of lying to investigators about her association with a check-fraud scheme.

Outside the U.S. District Court, Jones broke down in tears as she apologized for her actions, saying she understands she has disappointed her friends, family and supporters.

“I want you to know that I have been dishonest and you have the right to be angry with me,” said, pausing frequently to regain her composure while her mother stood behind her, a supportive hand on Jones’ shoulder. “I have let (my family) down. I have let my country down, and I have let myself down.

“I recognize that by saying I’m deeply sorry, it might not be enough and sufficient to address the pain and hurt that I’ve caused you. Therefore, I want to ask for your forgiveness for my actions, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”

What do you think???

The American media turned on Serena Williams on Wednesday, labelling the former world number one as “classless” and “graceless” after her sullen reaction to her U.S. Open exit at the hands of Justine Henin.

“(Williams) met the media afterward like a rattlesnake meets a ground squirrel,” wrote Bill Dwyer, in the Los Angeles Times.

“If anybody was expecting perspective afterward, or maybe a gracious nod to a better effort by an opponent, forget it. We had sullen Serena. Snippy Serena. Snarly Serena.”

In the New York Times, under the headline, “Williams needs a lesson in etiquette”, Selena Roberts wrote: “Who’s classless now?

“The grumpy, borderline nasty disposition that Williams displayed after her loss was a little jarring considering she had her own lack of preparation to blame for giving in so easily to Henin.

“Serena was bitter, angry and upset. She directed some of that at Henin. Who could use charm school now?”

In an interview with USA Network, which hosts television coverage of the U.S. Open, John Wertheim, the senior writer for Sports Illustrated magazine, described Serena’s reaction as “stunning”.

Since, when are athletes non-human saints.

Since when is showing humanity a disgrace.

She likes to win. She is pressured to win. She puts all her efforts in this thing. Why should she be expected to have perspective when she is still stinging from the loss?

But more importantly, why does the media feel the need to vilify her? Why gossip like some old hens because she didn’t smile and curtsy at your stupid @ss questions.

Why expect Serena to do or be more than you are willing to be? Are you showing any class by forming a lynch mob and bashing a young woman when she’s down? No. All you are doing is exploiting someone’s misery for your own selfish gains.

Get it together girl. We all fail short of goals. We all lose perspective and just want to sit back and lick our wounds. But it is what you choose to do next that counts.

Bethanie Mattek pops at this year’s U.S. Open in this gold, bra-showing number…

What do you think - fashion hit or miss?

Way to go, girl!

Venus won tennis’ most prestigious tournament for the fourth time Saturday, beating finalist Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-1.

It was Venus’ sixth Grand Slam title, and her first since winning Wimbledon in 2005. She was also the champion at the All England Club in 2000 and 2001.

At No. 31, Venus became the lowest-ranked women’s winner in Wimbledon history. Plagued in recent years by injuries that sent her ranking sliding, she rediscovered her championship form this week on the surface that always seems to inspire her best efforts.