Tim Montgomery - Steroid Scandal and Retirement

Steroid Scandal and Retirement

Montgomery did not qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympics, finishing seventh in the final of the United States Olympic trials. Before the trials, however, he was charged with using illegal performance-enhancing drugs, by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). While he has not returned a positive drug test, according to press reports he testified to the agency that he, along with a number of other prominent athletes (including baseball star Barry Bonds), obtained steroids and human growth hormone from BALCO, a laboratory near San Francisco. The USADA sought a four year suspension on Montgomery, who appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). On 13 December 2005, the CAS found Montgomery guilty and imposed a two year ban. On top of the ban, all of Montgomery's results and awards since 31 March 2001, including his former world record, had also been stripped. After the ban was announced, Montgomery announced his retirement.

The investigation also implicated his former partner Marion Jones, winner of the women's 100 metres at the Sydney Games.

On the 24 November 2008, Montgomery admitted to taking testosterone and human growth hormone before the Sydney Games 4 x 100 metres relay, in which he helped claim the gold medal. It remains unclear though how the admission will affect team-mates Jon Drummond, Bernard Williams, Brian Lewis, Maurice Greene and Kenneth Brokenburr. An IOC spokeswoman said the committee would look into the matter as part of its open file on the Balco investigation.