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Swimmer Michael Phelps with just one of his eight Olympic gold medals - Source: Reuters -
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With news that former tennis ace Andre Agassi used crystal meth while still playing professional tennis, according to his autobiography, we look at some of sports most infamous drug scandals
1. Diego Maradona
One of the world's most infamous sportsmen both on and off the field, Argentina's Diego Maradona was well known for his cocaine abuse, something that can be attributed to the downfall of this once great footballer's career.
The first bust came when the current coach of the Argentina national side tested positive for cocaine in 1991, leading to a 15 month ban.
Maradona then tested positive for ephedrine at the 1994 World Cup and subsequently found himself watching the tournament from the sidelines.
And even though he has overcome his drug addiction, Maradona is still one of the most controversial men in sport, recently telling reporters to shove their criticism where the sun doesn't shine after Argentina reached the finals of the 2010 World Cup.
2. Michael Phelps
After winning an unprecedented eight goal medals at the Beijing Olympics, US swimmer Michael Phelps' next big splash was all over the front pages as he was caught on camera smoking what appeared to be cannabis out of a bong at a student party in 2009.
It was thought the astonishing picture could have destroyed the career one of the world's most successful athletes after sporting chiefs announced new laws which meant four-year bans for drug-taking.
But after apologising to the world for his 'regrettable' actions, Phelps was banned from swimming for just three months and dropped from a Kellogg's campaign.
3. Richard Gasquet
In 2009 French tennis star Richard Gasquet met a pretty waitress in an Miami restaurant where the two spent the evening kissing, little did they know that the kisses they exchanged would spark a controversy that woudl see the former Wimbledon semi-finalist up in front of a doping tribunal after he failed a drug test just hours after kissing the girl.
Gaaquet claimed the traces of cocaine were from the girl who he said had 'contaminated' him with her kisses.
The story was first greeted with derision in France but was later given weight after the results from forensic science tests showed that she was a regular cocaine user and he was not.
Gasquet was later cleared of all charges.
4. Alex Rodriguez
There was shock and disappointment across the United States in February after it was revealed that baseball's highest paid player Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003.
It was Sports Illustrated who broke the story after it was found the Yankees slugger was on a list of 104 players that tested positive in confidential testing.
Rodriguez was just one year into a 10-year, $275 million pact with the Yankees, and had been viewed as a clean player who could lead baseball past a steroids era that cast doubts over the exploits of other celebrated players.
While Major League Baseball's drug policy banned the use of steroids without a valid prescription since 1991, there were no penalties for a positive test in 2003.
5. Wendell Sailor
In 2006 it seemed that Australian rugby star Wendell Sailor's professional sporting career was over when Australian rugby officials tore up his half-million-dollar-a-year contract after he tested positive for cocaine following a Super 14 clash.
A two-year all sports ban followed for the infamous sporting star whose career had been blighted by public drunkenness, road rage and nightclub altercations, among other things.
But after two-years in the wilderness 35-year-old Sailor cleaned up his act and returned to the NRL where he currently plays with St George Illawarra Dragons.
6. Lawrence Taylor
Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor has long had a history of supposed drug use, but was recently reported as saying that although he failed his first drug test for the NFL side back in 1987 it wasn't even his urine.
Taylor is said to have been off the gear since 1998 but he is quoted as saying did plenty of drugs before then - a pastime that often got him suspended, a few times for failed drug tests.
In July 2006 Taylor re-emerged into the public eye, appearing on the cover of a Sports Illustrated issue dedicated to former athletes and sport figures.
In the magazine Taylor credited golf with helping him get over his previous hard-partying ways and drug filled lifestyle.
7. Martina Hingis
One of tennis brightest stars, Martina Hingis broke onto the tennis scene in the 1990s but departed as a drug addict in 2008 after positive tests for cocaine during a tournament.
Hingis denied having ingested the drug, but decided to retire early rather than put herself through further test.
8. Dock Ellis
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis was infamous for having a hit of acid with his girlfriend one afternoon in 1970 - after forgetting it was actually a match day.
Ellis arrived in time to play the match and pitched a no-hitter despite being "psyched".
"The ball was small sometimes, the ball was large sometimes; sometimes I saw the catcher, sometimes I didn't," Ellis, who died last year, recalled in his autobiography.
9. Black Cap captains
On the Black Caps infamous tour of South Africa in 1995 three promising youngsters were caught up in - shock, horror - a pot smoking scandal.
Stephen Fleming, Dion Nash and Mathew Hart all admitted to smoking a joint in the team hotel while on tour and came home to New Zealand in blaze of controversy.
While Hart faded out of the spotlight, Fleming went on to become New Zealand's most successful cricket captain and Dion Nash also became a Test skipper and is today one of the Black Caps selectors.
10. Pieter de Villiers
France tight head prop Pieter de Villiers tested positive for cocaine and ecstasy in December 2002.
Weeping in front for the press, De Villiers insisted he did not knowingly take the drugs, and put the test result down to his drink being spiked on a night out in Paris.
French anti-doping laws at the time said only performance-enhancing drugs can be sought in out of competition testing, so the French Rugby Federation suspended him until the end of the Six Nations tournament for bringing the game into disrepute.
What are your most memorable sporting drug scandals? Have your say below......
Add a Comment:
Post new commentmab139 said on 2009-10-29 @ 11:23 NZDT: Report abusive post
Amazingly, not one cyclist!! Would have thought Floyd Landis would have made that one...
RyanG said on 2009-10-29 @ 03:41 NZDT: Report abusive post
You forgot Ricky Williams, a Rasta who has twice been banned from the NFL for Marijuana use.... Playing again now though. I think there is a difference between recreational and performance enhancing. Phelps is definitely a case of this.