Tim Montgomery Could Be Waiting In The Blocks For A Long, Long Time

A couple of years ago, Tim Montgomery was on top of the world as far as running track is concerned. He had won some medals participating in relay events, and had broken Maurice Greene's 100m world record. Thereby earning the title of the "Fastest Man on Earth". Due to that success he was eventually cast in a Nike commercial.



Ah, but if the Ben Jonson's, Marion Joneses, and Katerina Thanou's of the world have taught us anything it's that the life of a track and field star isn't always great. Unfortunately, Montgomery has shown that to be the case more than once.

The first big incident came in December of 2005 when Montgomery was hit with a two year ban for doping, and had all of his records since March 31, 2001 nullified. That included his 100m world record.

Less than a year later, he was arrested for cashing fradulent checks as part of a money laundering scheme. He plead guily to those charges, and is waiting to be sentenced.

Then, this past Monday Montgomery appeared in court to answer the accusations that he sold a confidential informant 111 grams of heroin. Montgomery entered a plea of not guilty, and his trial has been set for July 9. Allegedly, Montgomery made four seperate transactions with the informant while authorities recorded audio and videotaped.

Whether or not Montgomery really did deal heroin remains to be seen, but I imagine that he wishes he could throw on a pair of Nikes and haul ass like he did in his commercial.

Signature Pharmacy Steroid Probe Goes Deeper

Yesterday, federal officials raided a pharmacy in Orlando, FL in connection with an investigation into the illegal distribution of steroids.

The first professional athlete tied to the investigation was Gary Matthews Jr., outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels. Since then, more ties to athletes have surfaced.

*Richard A. Rydze, a physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers, purchased roughly $150,000 worth of steroids and HGH in 2006. Currently, there are no allegations that he broke any laws, and he's claiming that he bought them for his private patients.

*Allegedly, authorities have a Philadelphia Eagles player on tape entering the facility while they were conducting surveillance.

Also, one of the founders, Naomi Loomis, "attended The Ohio State University, College of Pharmacy and graduated with honors in 1995". Officials involved with the case have stated that college athletes were involved with Signature Pharmacy, though no OSU players have been mentioned at this point.

Stay tuned because I have a feeling that more and more athletes are going to be named in the coming weeks.