Jones gets 6-month sentence

‘I ask you to be as merciful as a human being can be,’ said Jones, who cried on her husband’s shoulder after she was sentenced.

The disgraced former Olympic champion was ordered to surrender March 11 to begin her term.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas said he gave her the maximum under the plea deal to send a message to athletes who have abused drugs and overlooked the values of ‘hard work, dedication, teamwork and sportsmanship.’

‘Athletes in society have an elevated status, they entertain, they inspire, and perhaps, most important, they serve as role models,’ Karas said.

Later Friday, Karas was to sentence Jones’ former coach, Olympic champion Steve Riddick, who was convicted in the check-fraud scam.

The 31-year-old Jones also was given two years’ probation and supervised release, during which she will be required to perform 800 hours of community service.

‘As everyone can imagine, I’m very disappointed today,’ Jones told reporters outside court. ‘But as I stood in front of all of you for years in victory, I stand in front of you today. I stand for what is right.’

‘I respect the judge’s order, and I truly hope that people will learn from my mistakes,’ added Jones.

The judge said Jones’ community service requirement would take advantage of her ‘eloquence, strength and her ability to work with kids.’

It was her children that worried Jones as she pleaded for a lighter sentence, talking at length about her two boys, including the infant son she’s still nursing.