U.S. sprinter Tyson Gay repays prize money earned while using steroids

Tyson Gay did all the right things when he failed a drug test before the 2013 world championships.

The U.S. sprinter immediately withdrew from competition, cooperated with authorities and, eventually, accepted a one-year ban.

Now, it seems, he is going a step further.

Gay is returning approximately $500,000 in prize money he earned at events while using a banned anabolic steroid, according to The Telegraph. The money is headed to five Diamond League meets.

“I can confirm the money is already on its way back from Gay’s agent,� Ed Warner, chairman of British Athletics, was quoted as saying. “They are aware their contract said the money was returnable if there was a doping violation but [agent] Mark Wetmore was on the case before we got on to it.�

Gay, one of the three fastest 100-meter runners in history behind Usain Bolt, has contended that he unknowingly began using the banned substance in 2012 by way of a cream given to him.

Because of his cooperation, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency gave him a reduced ban. He will be eligible to return to competition in June.