Any sports fan who didn't see this coming needs to pay closer attention in the future.

This weekend's revelations of steroid use by some of the most popular athletes in the world have placed a large black cloud over the sports world, and in particular three elite athletes.

Jason Giambi was the first to feel the wrath of the federal government, which leaked sealed grand jury testimony to the San Francisco Chronicle. Giambi was initially made out to be the bad guy of a sport in which heavy rumors of steroid use have been running rampant for a number of seasons. Major League Baseball's policy is so loose that players have one loophole after another to protect themselves from the beating that Giambi has taken in recent days.

Giambi is not the first major player to admit using 'roids. Previous MVP's Ken Caminiti and Jose Canseso both confessed to doping after their careers were over.

The easy thing for baseball to do would be to suspend Giambi. However, lost in this BALCO mess is the fact that steroid use in baseball and all other sports -- even down to the college and high school levels -- is a growing problem. Numbers have circulated that around 40-50 percent of baseball players have used steroids. If that's true, there is no reason to come down on Giambi because of what the government has done to him.

For every star player there are three or four lesser known users who will never make a splash in the game. His brother Jeremy's admittance has essentially gone unreported because he's far from a star.

The fact is that because baseball's drug testing policy is so loose -- and because only those inside the commissioner's office know how bad this problem is -- nobody can be set up to take the fall for baseball's drug addiction.

If a juiced-up pitcher throws to a batter who used "cream and clear" before the game, does anybody really have an advantage?

The most noticeable athlete who admitted to taking cream and clear is Barry Bonds. Bonds' revelation didn't surprise many who saw a stick figure as a rookie bulk up to the most intimidating player in the game in his late 30s.

Worse than using steroids -- which were acquired from his personal trainer, Greg Anderson -- is the fact Bonds may have lied under oath. Committing perjury is a punishable offense, which his admittance to taking steroid was not, as he reached an agreement to testify only if free from prosecution.

Bonds will continue to stay mum until spring training, as more comes out about him and his "trainer." However, enough of his dirty laundry is already available for public consumption.

The seven-time MVP tried telling a grand jury that he didn't know what he was taking, but Bonds ultimately has a better temporary solution -- the fact that Bud Selig is in his back pocket.

Bonds is going to surpass the greatest player ever to live -- Babe Ruth -- in home runs this season, and then become baseball's all-time home run king in two years.

MLB knows how important that record is and how crucial it is for Bonds to become one of the faces of the great game of baseball.

The close-ups won't look so good if there are needles sticking out of his uniform.

The third installment of the BALCO fallout this weekend was Marion Jones.

Jones -- who perhaps even more than Bonds has denied the allegations of steroid use, especially before the Athens Olympics -- could be the worst case of all.

During an interview on 20/20, BALCO founder Victor Conte described his relationship with Jones, the types of drugs she would take, when she took them, how she took them, and even showed photographs of the two together.

Jones is still trying to dig her way out of that hole.

She is certainly wrong in this scenario, as she thought all she had to do was protect her innocence until after the Olympics and this investigation would blow over. Well, guess that didn't happen, and judging by the donut she contributed to the medal count at the 2004 games, maybe steroids aren't all they're cracked up to be.

Jones is a prime example that steroids don't make you the best. Just wait for the full list of baseball players to come out and see the number of utility players on it, like Jeremy Giambi. Often times, hard work can win out after all. In our society, cheaters rarely come out on top. Instead, they're left to be crucified by the media until the next big event comes out.

Conte is currently the media's flavor of the week, surpassing Ron Artest, who held that distinction for two weeks.

Giambi, Bonds and Jones as a result are in the spotlight, but they will not be lonely much longer. It appears both Conte and the San Francisco Chronicle will be releasing names on a daily basis, courtesy of the federal government. It's only a matter of time before Anderson speaks as well.

Until then, hold off of passing judgment, especially on Giambi. Bonds doesn't have to worry. His contract will not be nullified and will not need to repay anything to the Giants. He's going to be all right. As for Jones, she may have missed her chance to come clean, but she did prove something to everyone: steroids do not necessarily make you great.