A mere days before the U.S. women's national team departs for the Olympics, in comes a bit of bad news for one of the team's best players.
Starting goalkeeper Hope Solo received a public warning from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for a prohibited subtance violation from June, and U.S. Soccer issued a statement regarding the incident on Monday.
"U.S. Soccer received notification from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that Hope Solo tested positive for a banned substance from an out-of competition urine sample she provided on June 15," read the statement. "After discussions with Hope, we fully support her clarification that the positive test for Canrenone was due to the use of a prescribed medication from a personal doctor for pre-menstrual purposes and not related to performance enhancement in any way.
"We fully cooperated with USADA during the disciplinary process to ensure it could be resolved quickly. Hope has accepted the public warning for her rule violation.
U.S. Soccer, Hope and the rest of the Women's National Team staff and players are looking forward to continuing preparations for the 2012 Olympics in London."
The 30-year-old goalkeeper also issued a statement Monday that explained why she consumed the banned substance.
"I took a medication prescribed by my personal doctor for pre-menstrual purposes that I did not know contained a diuretic," read Solo's statement. "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.
"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."
According to the USADA, Canrenone is classified as a Specified Substance and that is why the presence of it an athlete's urine sample can result in a reduced sanction.
The U.S women's national team begin their Olympic campaign on July 25 in the Group G opener against France. They take on Colombia three days later and then close out group play on July 31 versus North Korea.
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