Tyson Gay Suspended for Doping, Returns Sprinting Silver Medal

U.S. Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay returned the silver medal he won during the 2012 London Olympics on Friday and is suspending from competing for one year.

Gay, who is tied for the second fastest man in history, tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs last year. His ban began June 23, 2013, the day his sample was collected at the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships. In the agreement with the suspension, Gay on Friday accepted the loss of his track results dating back to July 15, 2012, Reuters reported.

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"We appreciate Tyson doing the right thing by immediately withdrawing from competition once he was notified, accepting responsibility for his decisions, and fully and truthfully cooperating with us in our ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding his case," Travis T. Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, said in a statement.

Gay, 31, tested positive for an exogenous androgenic anabolic steroid and/or its metabolites in urine samples. Anabolic androgenic steroids are prohibited under U.S. and international anti-doping rules.

Gay holds the American record for the 100-meter race. He won the silver medal with the U.S. 4×100 meter relay team at the 2012 Olympics.

Last July, he admitted he failed a doping test. Because he cooperated with the investigation, the USADA said his punishment was reduced. He’ll be eligible to compete, including in future Olympics, beginning in June, according to Time magazine.

"I basically put my trust in someone and I was let down," Gay told Reuters last year. "I don't have a sabotage story. I don't have lies. I made a mistake."

USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky issued a statement to Reuters.

"We were extremely disappointed to learn that Tyson Gay committed a doping offense," Sandusky said. "The USOC remains committed to the fight against doping and will continue to invest substantial resources to ensure that the United States is and remains a world leader in anti-doping efforts."

This year's U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held at Sacramento State University in California June 25-29.

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