Hope Solo: Why Latest Controversy Will Not Cloud Her Olympic Performance

Hope Solo tested positive for a prohibited substance, Canrenone, from a urine sample collected in mid-June. This result was widely reported.

Here is Solo's statement that was released on the USADA website:

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"I took a medication prescribed by my personal doctor for pre-menstrual 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,” said Hope Solo. “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.”

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Solo was only given a public warning for the violation.

Solo is no stranger to controversy either.

In 2007, she was benched in favor of Briana Scurry against Brazil in the Women's World Cup. A match the US lost 4-0 and cost them a trip to the finals. That did not sit well with the then 25-year-old keeper.

In 2010, Solo created a bit of a stir when she accused some Boston Breaker fans of yelling racial comments during a WPS match on Twitter.

She is outspoken, brash, confident and a professional on the pitch. While she may not hide her emotions, she does not allow them to cloud her performance. In fact, she may play better.

For many athletes the pitch, field, court or whatever may be their arena, is their sanctuary. Their escape from whatever is going on in their lives melts away during those couple of hours of competition. Judging from past performances, Solo is as good as anyone in shutting out the outside world when she plays.

Entering the 2011 World Cup Solo was still being questioned about what happened in 2007. But when the US played their matches she proved she was the best in the world. Quickly those questions faded away.

Now, this issue comes to the forefront. And while many athletes have tested positive in recent years, the USADA violation and public warning should not even register. It is almost a non-issue.

With what Solo has already dealt with this is small potatoes.

At the 2008 Games she showed her skill. In 2011, she proved it all over again. Nothing has changed. She is still the best keeper in the world. Solo's focus between the posts is second to none. We should all file this latest bit of news away and focus on the upcoming matches.

It seems that it is we who have the focus issues. The issues with moving forward, not Solo.

Solo is a professional. Her competitive fire is visible when you watch her defend the net for the US. This latest news is merely a small pebble in the road. This will not effect her when she defends the goal tomorrow against France.

She's been in bigger controversies than this and those never phased her. This will not even register with the best keeper in the world.