We could say, “shame on you, Marion Jones” and “shame on the rest of you, too,” but it has been said already.

The media are like a broken record these days; they are the mouthpieces for America’s disappointment in cheating athletes. Someone should get a pool going to see who’s going to be next.

What shouldn’t come out of the latest doping sports scandal is that this sort of thing happens all the time, so it isn’t a big deal. On the contrary, this is a huge, of international proportions, giving back gold medals, kind of a deal.

The Olympics are supposed to be a time of world peace, when the countries of the world can unite in celebration of sport and friendly competition. This is where heroes like Lewis, Owens and Ali were introduced to the world. The Olympic stage is one of honor and prestige. Gold medals are given as symbols of pride and achievement, not only to the winning athletes, but also for the country they represent.

Sadly, five of America’s medals were given back last week, and now we’re sitting on the bench with our tails between our legs. But like man’s best friend, we would have been proud of you, Marion Jones, had you simply done your best.

We wouldn’t like you any less if you came in second, or third-you probably would have come in first-but we would have liked you anyway, as long as your effort was honest and true.

But like anyone who cheats, Marion Jones is getting what she deserved. Was that moment in the spotlight worth it? When the stars and stripes were hoisted over Sydney in 2000, was it worth apologizing to America for letting them down, for admitting that you didn’t do your very best? For admitting that you cheated on the world’s stage?

Maybe everyone is doing it, but now, like so many others in sports, Marion Jones will have a toxic asterisk next to her name in the record books.

Lots of people cheat on tests. Maybe you didn’t have time to study, and cheating just seemed so easy. It was easy, and you got an A. Ain’t life grand. But your professor later found out and you failed the class. You can’t graduate and you have to tell your parents why.

If you hadn’t cheated, and maybe earned a C instead, your parents would be upset. Telling them you cheated would have made them disappointed.

So, Marion Jones, if you hadn’t cheated, and won the bronze instead, America would be upset, but still love you. Instead, we’re disappointed, and that is so much worse.