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5 American Female Athletes Who Also Got Caught Up in Doping Scandals
From A-Rod to Lance, it's become clear that doping scandals run rampant in the world of men's sports — but it's not as often that a drug scandal involving a female athlete reaches public attention. Here are some suspiciously-jacked American female athletes who got caught up in the pressure to be superhuman.
Not Just A-Rod
From A-Rod to Lance, it's become clear that doping scandals run rampant in the world of men's sports — but it's not as often that a drug scandal involving a female athlete reaches public attention. Here are some suspiciously-jacked American female athletes who got caught up in the pressure to be superhuman.
Marion Jones
When track and field star Marion Jones was linked to BALCO (the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative the steroid producers made famous by Barry Bonds' scandal), she was forced to relinquish her five Olympic medals.
Jones still managed to make the most of the situation, however, publishing a book about her remorse and recovery and launching a career as a motivational speaker.
Hope Solo
The U.S. Olympic team soccer goalie and "Dancing With the Stars" contestant tested positive for a diuretic listed on the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances. Solo claimed the drug was prescribed by her doctor for pre-menstrual purposes, and after cooperating fully with the investigation, was let off with a warning rather than a suspension.
Tammy Thomas
When the would-be Olympic cyclist was busted for steroid use during the selection process for the USA team in 2002, no one was very surprised. She'd not only beefed up considerably, but had actually grown an Adam's apple on her throat, and hair where there didn't used to be any.
Following the investigation, Thomas was banned from cycling for life, convicted as a felon, and left with severe health problems.
Florence Griffith-Joyner
Olympic sprinter Florence Griffith-Joyner appeared almost inhuman as she sped past fellow runners in race after race. She still holds the records for the 100 and 200-meter women's races, but suspicions linger about her use of performance-enhancing substances, even after her death in 1998 of an epileptic seizure.
Crystal Cox
When Olympic runner Crystal Cox pled guilty to the illegal use of anabolic steroids in 2010, she not only fell from grace — but also stripped her fellow teammates of their gold medals for the 2004 4x400-meter relay. Cox appeared on the reality TV show Survivor: Gabon in 2008, but Olympic training didn't seem to help much on the 14 physical challenges, of which she lost 12.
