--- title: "\"You have the right to be angry with me\" - Marion Jones shows how to gracefully admit guilt" --- [Skip to main content](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/2007/10/you-have-the-ri.html#maincontent) [ «  View All Posts ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog) # "You have the right to be angry with me" - Marion Jones shows how to gracefully admit guilt October 6th, 2007 1 min read By [David Meerman Scott](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) We're going off on a bit of a tangent here this morning... I've watched the emotional admission of guilt by Olympic track superstar Marion Jones several times and I'm struck by what a terrific job she did in her four minute speech. This is a must-see. Of course, I don't condone her cheating or lying. But I find the grace and honesty in Jones' public admission to be something that is almost unheard of these days. This is one of the most powerful speeches I have heard in a long time and in it, Jones shows politicians, businesspeople, athletes, and actors how to gracefully admit guilt. Here's a woman who just admitted in a United States District Courthouse in White Plains New York to using performance-enhancing drugs and to making false statements in two separate government investigations. Later, when she faced her fans, family and a large media contingent to apologize for her mistakes, Jones appeared to be speaking without notes. She explained the situation, apologized personally to her family members, offered words to her loyal and supportive fans, track and field officials, all the while holding her considerable emotions in check. It is remarkable to witness. The International Olympic Committee will likely move to strip her of the five medals she won, including three gold, at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. But Jones tells us that she lost a lot more. “It is with a great amount of shame that I stand before you and tell you that I have betrayed your trust… You have the right to be angry with me. I have let them down, I have let my country down and I have let myself down.” [ David Meerman Scott ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to clever entrepreneurs who are building emerging companies, and the international bestselling author of a dozen books published in 30 languages. David’s high-energy keynote presentations, masterclasses, and virtual events educate, energize, and inspire. Connect: [mailto:david@freshspot.com](mailto:david@freshspot.com) Topics: [ Public Relations ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/public-relations) [ Case Studies ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/case-studies) [ Media Relations ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/media-relations) [ YouTube ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/youtube) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DMS%20speaking%20BM%20LAS.jpg?width=2048&height=1060&name=DMS%20speaking%20BM%20LAS.jpg) ### Book Me to Speak for Free! (Plus... 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