OLYMPICS White is apologetic for drug use

The American sprinter got a two-year drug ban, and is out of the Athens Olympics.
DENVER (AP) -- American sprinter Kelli White accepted a two-year drug ban Wednesday, costing her a trip to the Athens Olympics and every medal she won during the past four years.
White tested positive for the stimulant modafinil at last year's world championships and U.S. nationals. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said it also found evidence she used undetectable steroids and the endurance-enhancing hormone erythropoietin.
The USADA, based in nearby Colorado Springs, said some evidence was obtained through documents from the federal investigation into BALCO.
"In doing this, I have not only cheated myself, but also my family, friends and sport," White said in a statement issued by her attorney. "I am sorry for the poor choices I have made."
The 27-year-old sprinter said she plans to compete again when the ban ends in May 2006.
First to be banned
White is the first athlete to be suspended based on information from the BALCO case. The Bay Area drug company is accused of illegally distributing steroids and performance-enhancing drugs to professional athletes.
The Senate this month released information in the BALCO case to Olympic officials, who requested the materials so they could be sure to field a clean team in Athens.
Five-time Olympic medalist Marion Jones said last week she would sue USADA if it prevents her from going to Athens without a positive drug test, but White decided against fighting the suspension.
"If given the opportunity, there is so much I would do differently," White said. "Unfortunately, we cannot go back in time. I can only go forward and make sure I do the right things from here on out.
"Although this is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, I know I am doing the right thing and will continue to do so in the future."
Modafinil carries a public warning and disqualification from the event where the positive test took place, but the use of EPO and the previously undetectable steroid THG means all of White's results since Dec. 15, 2000, will be wiped out.
Will lose gold medals
That means she will be stripped of her gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters at last year's world championships in Paris, and a gold and bronze at the 2001 worlds in Edmonton.
USADA chief executive Terry Madden said he admired White for acknowledging her mistakes.
"It is not easy to admit you have done wrong and then stand up to do something about it," he said.
The International Association of Athletics Federations also commended White for stepping forward and the USADA for pursuing the matter. Track's world governing body had been one the harshest critics in the handling of doping cases involving U.S. athletes.
"Because this athlete has signed to accept her suspension, we have avoided further legal action which is usually costly, often time consuming and also keeps our sport in the news for the wrong reason," IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said.
White agreed to help the USADA and intends to ask for early reinstatement from the IAAF.
"If I can make a difference in cleaning up the sport, I will have done more for the sport than anything I could have done on the track," she said.