SoccerAmerica - Hope Solo's failed drug test deemed 'honest mistake' 07/10/2012

[U.S. SOCCER] U.S. women's goalkeeper Hope Solo has received a public warning from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after testing positive for a banned substance in a doctor-prescribed medicine she took for premenstrual purposes. The warning does not affect her eligibility for this summer’s Olympics, according the U.S. Soccer Federation.

The positive result came from an out-of-competition urine sample Solo provided on June 15. A statement released by the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) reads:

“After discussions with Hope, we fully support her clarification that the positive test for Canrenone was due to the use of a prescribed medication from a personal doctor for premenstrual purposes and not related to performance enhancement in any way. We fully cooperated with USADA during the disciplinary process to ensure it could be resolved quickly. Hope has accepted the public warning for her rule violation.”

Solo helped the USA win the gold medal at the last Olympic Games, in 2008. She also played for the USA at the last two World Cups, in 2007 and 2011. In a statement released through the USSF, Solo said:

"I took a medication prescribed by my personal doctor for premenstrual purposes that I did not know contained a diuretic. Once informed of this fact, I immediately cooperated with USADA and shared with them everything they needed to properly conclude that I made an honest mistake, and that the medication did not enhance my performance in any way.

“As someone who believes in clean sport, I am glad to have worked with USADA to resolve this matter and I look forward to representing my country at the 2012 Olympic Games in London."

Diuretics are banned because they can help with weight loss and could be used to speed up the elimination of drugs from the system.

“Canrenone is classified as a Specified Substance, and therefore the presence of Canrenone in an athlete’s sample can result in a reduced sanction,” read a statement by the USADA. “Solo was taking a prescribed medication, in a therapeutic dose under the care of a physician. The medication when metabolized resulted in the adverse analytical finding.”

“As in all cases, we thoroughly investigate the circumstances and always do what is fair and right for clean athletes and the integrity of sport,” stated Travis T. Tygart, USADA Chief Executive Officer.

8 comments

Richard Weishaupt

commented on: July 10, 2012 at 8:45 a.m.

Isn't this a bit much? If they accept her explanation, why isn't this a private matter?

Albert Harris

commented on: July 10, 2012 at 9:01 a.m.

Because the USADA like being judge, jury, and executioner?

Kerry Ogden

commented on: July 10, 2012 at 12:03 p.m.

Not to be nit-picking but there were MLS players who were suspended sevral yrs. ago for taking Vitamins from GNC, if I remember correctly, that had a banned substance in the vitamins and were suspended for a period of time and also the incident recently with Mexico's National team players that were also suspended from play because the ate beef that had a banned substance in the meat. I'm glad that Hope is still able to play but this looks like discrimination against men. Can someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Ramon Creager

commented on: July 10, 2012 at 2:34 p.m.

I can't help but accept her explanation. I'm not sure how drugs could improve the performance of a goalkeeper. Like Richard above, I'm also not sure why this is made public, if it is deemed an honest mistake that is not a case of doping.

Wilson Taguinod

commented on: July 10, 2012 at 11:52 p.m.

Damage control. The test result has a high probability of being leaked so it is better to be proactive than reactive. FWIW, I see a difference between results resulting from medical prescriptions and over-the-counter "vitamins" bought at GNC.

Carlos Thys

commented on: July 11, 2012 at 8:06 a.m.

Don't worry. GK Solo is a shoe-in to go to London and compete. All these sports (desperately!?) need headline / banner athlete names to try to garner some attention. Solo is one of the very few names in any of these Olympic soccer event teams that are much known. Tickets may sell (or already be sold) but the money is in empirical numbers - TV viewership which ad sponsors track like hawks. That is why the Beckham name hung up there so long as a "maybe/possible" for the Britain Olympic squad. Nobody should be fooled; the modern Olympics -- as we now know them -- competing in a global market with so many concurrent sports and events, the IOC's modern Olympic games is in trouble. This is why there is so much emphasis on the opening and closing ceremonies. Aside from these bookend gala events, most people now tune out (because they are tuned into something else entirely). No one is going to turn down Solo's participation because the women's soccer tournament needs some lift.

Ramon Creager

commented on: July 11, 2012 at 9:43 a.m.

Wilson, I too see a difference. But when I think about it, it seems to me that a physician ought to know his/her patients and their requirements when prescribing. So in this case the error is less excusable.

joseph landry nguimbous

commented on: January 2, 2013 at 7:36 a.m.

Hello sir my name is Joseph landry Nguimbous, sil please I am a young footballer in Cameroon 17 years old am in the national team of less than ten years of Cameroon. I have a passport and I play in First Division with Renaisance Ngoumou I have a valid passport and ready to travel. please recruited me here my Cv and photos of Cameroon national team U-17 years. email is: josephmbem@yahoo.fr

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