Shelby Houlihan, an American Olympic corridor who competed in the 2016 Rio Games and then faced a four -year prohibition debated, returned to the podium on Saturday.
Houlihan won a silver medal in the Indoor World Championship in the 3,000 -meter event in Nanjing, China. She could not compete in the Tokyo Olympic Games and in the Paris Olympic Games because it tested positive for a drug that improves performance. Houlihan said at the time the positive test was the result of a contaminated pork burrito that he bought in a Mexican food truck.
CLICK HERE for more sports coverage at Foxnews.com
Shelby Houlihan, of the United States, competes in the final of 3000 meters female in the World Athletics Championship in Nanjing, China, on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
“It has been a long trip,” he told Let’s Run. “I am excited for today and now, but also a little mourning for the past. It has been a really difficult trip.”
Houlihan is the US record holder. UU. With 1,500 meters and the former record holder in the 5,000 -meter event. His 2021 appeal of his prohibition was transferred to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, but was finally rejected.
However, the case initiated a debate in the sports world and anti -doping, since the elements were similar to other cases of “without failures” that resulted in little or no penalty.
The Olympic gold medalist Kirsty Coventry makes the history of the IOC as the first woman president
Shelby Houlihan, on the right, and Nikki Hiltz lead the 3,000m female during the Usatf interior championships in Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, New York, on February 22, 2025. (Kirby Lee-Imagn images)
Houlihan’s punishment finally cost Paris for the Olympic Games and now he has to work double difficult to prepare for a possible appearance in Los Angeles in 2028.
“Getting used to trying to create a new normality,” said Houlihan. “Running had been part of my life since I was 5 years old, so who am I without this?
Iowa’s native, 32, said she hoped her success could lead to a sponsor. Outdoor world championships are scheduled for September.
“He reached a point where I was like, ‘I don’t want to give up because I feel that I will always ask what could have been,” he said. “And then I feel that I still have more to prove. I feel that the best is yet to come and I wanted to see that and not let someone decide.”
Shelby Houlihan poses with his medal after winning the female 3,000m in 8: 52.03 during the Usatf interior championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on February 14, 2020. (Kirby Lee-USA Today Sports)
Houlihan was eligible to compete again in January and made his return to the track last month at the Invitational Razorker in Arkansas. She won the inner race of 3,000 meters.
