USA women's soccer star Hope Solo tests positive for banned substance, will not be penalized

USADA’s investigation determined that Solo had ingested the substance unknowingly - it was in a prescription drug for pre-menstrual symptoms - and received no performance advantage reports New York daily news

Hope Solo watches one get past her at World Cup, but her slip-up for positive test is ruled accidental and she’ll be allowed to play in London Games.

Soccer star goalie Hope Solo will compete in the Olympics this summer despite testing positive for Canrenone, a banned substance found in some prescription medications.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency gave Solo a public warning Monday for an out-of-competition test on June 15 that revealed traces of the substance, a diuretic.

USADA’s investigation determined that Solo had ingested the substance unknowingly and received no performance advantage.

“I took a medication prescribed by my personal doctor for pre-menstrual purposes that I did not know contained a diuretic,” Solo said. “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.”

Anti-doping organizations have adjusted their zero-tolerance policy in recent years to be more lenient toward athletes whose positive drug tests are clearly inadvertent, such as Zach Lund, the American skeleton racer who was suspended for using finasteride, which is used to combat hair loss.

“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,” said USADA’s chief executive officer Travis Tygart.

Updated: 10/07/2012 15:59