What makes a person cheat?

If you haven't already heard, the first woman to cross the finish line at the ABC 7 Sarasota Marathon has been disqualified. She crossed after 3 hours and 11 minutes. But she cheated. According to marathon officials, her chip didn't register her split (halfway time) and two witnesses' accounts of the runner's behavior led them to disqualify Christina Nobles.

Unconfirmed sources say she went into a porta potty during the race, came out and instead of continuing on her way finished without that stretch of the race. Again, that's unconfirmed.

Now Madeleine Zolfo is the women's winner. But Zolfo, who finished in 3 hours and 13minutes was robbed of the glory. She didn't get to break through the finish line. She didn't get to watch herself win on TV or read about herself in the newspaper. So Madeleine Zolfo.. here's to you! I wish I had video of you finishing the race. You should be so proud of yourself. To see picures of Zolfo Click Here

Along with thousands of others watched Nobles cross the finish line. Okay it was on ABC 7 not in real time because I still had a few more miles to go:) And I watched it again the next morning, still amazed at her accomplishment. But then I learned the truth.

I think Nobles owes her an apology along with everyone else who participated Sunday. What went through her mind? What motivated her to cheat? How did she think she'd get away with it? If she's run before she should have known she'd get caught, that's what your chip is for.

Running a marathon is insanely hard work. You train for months, maybe even a year. Most of the people I met along the course just feel good about finishing. Of course they wish they finished faster or won the prize, but none of them would have even considered cheating.

Then there's Marion Jones. She's now begun her six month sentence in a federal prison in Texas for lying about her use od steriods and her role in a check fraud scam. Jones has already been stripped of five Olympic medals she won.

What about the people who should have won those medals? It's not like you really get to go back and feel the excitement of receving the medal in front of thousands of people or millions on TV.

You have to wonder, has the person been a cheater their whole life? Or does the need to win drive them to do it? What do you think?

Stylishly yours,

Miss Attitude