Infamous Drug-Related Incidents

SI Staff | May 7, 2009

Infamous Drug-Related Incidents /

Infamous Drug-Related Incidents

Ben Johnson

Johnson tested positive for stanozolol after his world record, gold medal-winning performance in the 100 meters at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. He initially denied knowingly using steroids, but he later admitted it during a Canadian government inquiry. After serving a suspension and being stripped of his medal and record, Johnson returned to racing, only to test positive for testosterone doping in 1993 and earn a lifetime ban.<br><br>Send comments to siwriters@simail.com.

Rafael Palmeiro

During a spring, 2005 congressional hearing on performance-enhancing drugs, Palmeiro pointed his finger and said, "I have never used steroids, period." Later that year, he tested positive and served a 10-day suspension from baseball after a grievance to appeal the suspension was denied.

Barry Bonds

Although he has not tested positive or admitted to using steroids, Bonds had been linked to performance-enhancing drugs during his time with the Giants. But the 2006 book Game of Shadows alleges Bond used steroids and growth hormones, building its case through hundreds of interviews and illegally-leaked grand jury testimony.

Floyd Landis

After winning the 2006 Tour de France, it was revealed that the urine sample Landis gave following Stage 17 indicated an abnormally high ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone. Landis denied taking any performance enhancing drugs, suggesting instead the tests were mishandled and misinterpreted and that the ratio was a natural occurrence. He was banned from cycling for two years.

Bill Romanowski

In 2005, Romanowski admitted to having used steroids provided by BALCO founder Victor Conte, who has also been linked to Barry Bonds and others suspected of using steroids. Romanowski, the physical linebacker who played 16 years in the NFL with the 49ers, Eagles, Broncos and Raiders, tested positive for THG during his final season in 2003 as a member of the Oakland Raiders.

Shawne Merriman

Merriman was suspended for four games by the NFL in 2006 for testing positive for a steroid, which he claimed was ingested with a tainted nutritional substance. Even though he only played 12 games, Merriman still led the NFL in sacks in 2006, earning him a controversial trip to the Pro Bowl.

Jose Canseco

Canseco admitted to using steroids in his 2005 book Juiced, joining a short list of former players such as Ken Caminiti who have owned up to their past. In his book, Canseco accuses a number of former players such as Mark McGwire and Jason Giambi of having used performance-enhancing drugs.

Jason Grimsley

In 2006, Grimsley admitted to past steroid use after a sting operation connected him to HGH. Grimsley was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for violating its drug policy, and he gave investigators the names of several former teammates who he believed to be guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs.

C.J. Hunter

The former world-champion shot putter admitted using steroids as part of the BALCO probe. He has since retired from competition and pointed the finger at ex-wife Marion Jones for also using banned substances.

James Toney

After defeating John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight championship in 2005, Toney failed his post-fight drug test. He was subsequently stripped of the victory and belt and suspended from fighting for 90 days and barred from competing for the WBA heavyweight crown ever again.

Justin Gatlin

In August of 2006 Gatlin was given an eight-year ban from track and field, punishment for a positive test for testosterone and steroids earlier in the year at the Kansas relays. Gatlin, an Olympic gold medalist who shares the world record in the 100-meters, has denied knowingly using the substance.

Fernando Vargas

After losing a world junior middleweight title and a super welterweight crown to Oscar De La Hoya in 2002, post-fight drug testing revealed stanozolol in Vargas' system. He denied taking the steroid knowingly, but was given a $100,000 fine and nine-month suspension.

Jason Giambi

Although he has never stated it explicitly, Giambi said in May 2007 that he was "wrong for doing that stuff." He recently agreed to MLB Commissioner Bud Selig's demand that he meet with steroid investigator George Mitchell to discuss his past usage of performance-enhancing drugs. <br><br>Send comments to siwriters@simail.com.

Published May 7, 2009

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