(Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images)
After only seven years as a professional cycler, Landis won the 2006 Tour de France. He was considered a dark horse contender, with the assumption being that either Ivan Basso or Jans Ullrich would take the top prize.
However, after the two cyclists were forced to withdraw from the Tour, Landis emerged as the front runner. Although Landis got off to a disappointing start, his unbelievable 20 KM solo breakaway on stage 17 helped to pave the way for his eventual victory.
Landis was stripped of that victory when it was announced that a urine test taken after his epic performance in stage 17 had come back positive with an unusually high ratio of the hormone testosterone to the hormone epitestosterone (T/E ratio).
Though Landis' camp claimed there were inconsistencies with the way the urine was tested, the International Cycling Union (UCI) upheld WADA's (World Anti-Doping Agency) ruling, and Landis was banned from professional cycling for two years.
The two-year ban ended in early 2009, and Landis is scheduled to participate in the Battenkill Professional Invitational on Apr. 19.
No. 9: Roger Clemens
When Jose Canseco published his book Juiced, he named Clemens as one of his many baseball colleagues who had expert steroid knowledge. This lead Canseco to assume that Clemens' improved performance post-Red Sox was thanks to steroid use.
While Clemens dismissed this claim, steroid rumors continue to dog the famed pitcher.
Clemens' name was mentioned 82 times in the Mitchell Report on steroid use in baseball. It was alleged that he obtained amphetamines, anabolic steroids, and human growth hormone from someone recommended to him by former Yankees trainer Brian McNamee, who was a personal strength coach for Clemens.
In the Mitchell Report, McNamee states that he injected Clemens with Winstrol throughout the 1998, 2000, and 2001 baseball seasons.
In 2008, Clemens appeared before a House committee to deny any use of performance enhancing drugs. Citing inconsistencies with his testimony, the committee recommended that the Justice Department conduct further investigations to see whether Clemens lied under oath.
A federal grand jury convened in January 2009 to follow up on these allegations.
Clemens' name has been removed from various charitable organizations, and his Hall of Fame future remains in jeopardy.
No. 8: Mark McGwire
McGwire became a household name in 1998 when he faced off against Chicago Cub Sammy Sosa as they both battled it out for the MLB home run record. McGwire prevailed, hitting 70 home runs in a single season.
Despite this accomplishment, McGwire's name continues to be mired by the ongoing investigations into steroid use in professional baseball.
Though McGwire has never admitted to steroid use, nor has he ever tested positive, many of his accomplishments have been questioned due to his inclusion in Jose Canseco's book Juiced.
Pointedly, when McGwire testified before the House Government Reform Committee, he refused to answer several questions while under oath, saying "My lawyers have advised me that I cannot answer these questions without jeopardizing my friends, my family, and myself."
While no legal action has been taken against McGwire, he has suffered in the court of public opinion. In his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility, he received less than a quarter of possible votes.
No. 7: Rafael Palmeiro
Palmeiro is another baseball player to have been apparently "outed" by Jose Canseco, who claimed that he personally injected Palmeiro with steroids.
In March 2005, Palmeiro appeared before a Congressional hearing to defend himself against allegations of steroid use. Under oath, Palmeiro vehemently denied ever having used performance enhancing drugs, saying "I have never used steroids, period. I don't know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never."
Despite his denial, Palmeiro was suspended for 10 days in August of that same year after testing positive for stanozolol, a banned substance. Palmeiro continues to deny ever knowingly taking steroids, claiming that his positive test in August came from a B12 injection.
Palmeiro was named in the 2007 Mitchell Report, but no new evidence was introduced. The report only reiterated Canseco's allegations and Palmeiro's failed drug test.
No. 6: Chris Benoit
A two-time World Heavyweight Champion, Benoit was a decorated wrestler, having compe
0 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete