Disgraced Olympic track star Marion Jones was sentenced Friday in a White Plains federal court to six months in federal prison for lying to investigators about performance-enhancing drugs and a check-fraud scam.

The judge sentenced Jones despite her plea that he not separate her from her children, "even for a short period of time."

Jones also received two years of probation.

The 31-year-old track star returned her Olympic medals after admitting she lied to investigators about using steroids and to authorities investigating her former boyfriend in a check fraud scheme.

Jones pleaded guilty last year to using performance-enhancing drugs before and during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. She apologized and announced her retirement.

In a statement to the media after her sentencing, Jones said, ?I respect the judge?s orders and I truly hope that people will learn from my mistakes.?

Jones is to surrender March 11 to begin her sentence.