The NBA has recently suspended Memphis Grizzles guard OJ Mayo for 10 games following a positive test result. Apparently Mayo purchased an energy drink from a gas station that contained the banned substance, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). In the wake of OJ Mayo’s excuse for his positive drug test last week I decided to review some of the worst excuses athletes have given for positive test results.
5) Richard Gasquet- Tennis Player
Was busted for a positive cocaine test prior to the French Open in 2009. His excuse was that he accidentally ingested cocaine while kissing a woman he met at a nightclub.
4) Ross Rebagliati- Snowboarder
Competed in the Nagano Olympics in 1998. He tested positive for THC, the chemical in marijuana. His excuse was that the positive test came from second-hand smoke he consumed while partying with buddies prior to the Olympics.
3) Justin Gatlin- Sprinting
The sprinter tested positive for high levels of testosterone which he and his coach, Trevor Graham blamed on a masseuse. They said that during a message the masseuse rubbed Gatlin’s legs with tainted cream.
2) Floyd Landis- Cyclist
Won the 2006 Tour de France. He later tested positive for a synthetic testosterone and spent several years making up excuses to clear his name. One of his excuses was that his positive result was from binge drinking the night before.
1) Brian Cushing- Football Player
Houston Texans linebacker was suspended this past season by the NFL for four games because of a positive test for the female fertility drug HCG. Athletes often use HCG to boost their testosterone levels after using steroids. Cushing said his positive test was from "Overtrained athlete syndrome" which results from athletes training intensely for a long period and then stopping which provides the possibility of testosterone imbalance.
Athletes are always trying to get a leg up on their competition and with performance enhancing supplements becoming a bigger part of sports training this list will continue to grow.
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