ESPN Track and Field

A look at the key figures connected with or facing punishment because of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative steroids investigation:

Charged Criminally

Marion Jones -- The three-time Olympic gold medalist pleaded guilty Oct. 5 to lying to federal investigators in 2003 when she denied using performance-enhancing drugs. She said she was told by her then-coach Trevor Graham that she was taking flaxseed oil when it was actually steroids.

Victor Conte -- Founder of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, the lab at the center of the steroids scandal in professional sports. Served four months in prison after pleading guilty in July 2005 to steroid distribution and money laundering. Repeatedly accused Marion Jones of using performance-enhancing drugs and was sued by the sprinter for $25 million in 2004. The two reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount in 2005.

Patrick Arnold -- Illinois chemist who created ``the clear,'' an undetectable designer steroid at the heart of the BALCO scandal. Served three months in prison after pleading guilty in April 2006 to one count of conspiracy to distribute steroids.

Trevor Graham -- Elite track coach who worked with disgraced sprinters Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery and Justin Gatlin has pleaded not guilty to three counts of making false statements to federal agents and faces a Nov. 26 trial. Graham launched the BALCO probe in 2003 when he sent USADA a vial of ``the clear.''

Greg Anderson -- Barry Bonds' personal trainer has been in prison for contempt of court since November for refusing to testify in the government's perjury probe against Bonds. Previously served three months in prison after pleading guilty in July 2005 to steroid distribution and money laundering.

Troy Ellerman -- Conte's attorney is serving a 2{-year sentence after pleading guilty to leaking confidential grand jury testimony of Barry Bonds and other athletes in the BALCO investigation.

James Valente -- Former BALCO vice president was sentenced to three years' probation after pleading guilty in July 2005 to one count of distributing illegal steroids.

Remi Korchemny -- Former track coach sentenced to a year of probation after pleading guilty in July 2005 to misdemeanor count of doling out the sleep-disorder drug modafinil, which could also be used as a performance enhancer. Korchemny also agreed to a lifetime ban from coaching from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

Tammy Thomas -- Former elite cyclist was the first athlete charged in connection with the BALCO probe. She has pleaded not guilty to three counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. Banned from cycling for life in August 20002 after norbolethone, an obscure and previously undetectable steroid, was found in her urine.

BALCO-related doping suspensions

Tim Montgomery -- Olympic gold medalist and father of Jones' son, Monty, was given a two-year ban in December 2005 and stripped of his world record in the 100 meters. Montgomery never tested positive, and his punishment was based solely on evidence from the BALCO investigation. He retired in December 2005.

Kelli White -- BALCO client was stripped of her world titles in the 100 and 200 meters and banned for two years after admitting in 2004 to using modafinil. She also confessed to using other performance-enhancing drugs and gave testimony that implicated other athletes.

Michelle Collins -- 2000 Olympian stripped of her 2003 world indoor title in the 200 meters and is serving a four-year ban. Though she never tested positive, evidence from the BALCO investigation showed she used performance-enhancing drugs.

Chryste Gaines -- Two-time Olympic relay medalist returned to competition this summer after serving a two-year ban prompted by evidence in the BALCO case.

Alvin Harrison -- Two-time Olympic relay gold medalist accepted a four-year ban in October 2004 after admitting using EPO, among other performance-enhancing drugs, in the BALCO scandal.

Also linked

BARRY BONDS -- Home run king long has been dogged by allegations of steroid use. A grand jury in San Francisco is still investigating whether he lied under oath in 2003 when he denied ever knowingly using steroids. According to grand jury transcripts obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle, Bonds said he thought two substances given to him by Anderson were flaxseed oil and an arthritic balm. Authorities suspect those items were actually ``the clear'' and ``the cream,'' designer steroids distributed by BALCO.

JASON GIAMBI -- New York Yankees slugger told a grand jury in December 2003 that he used steroids and human growth hormone, according to transcripts obtained by the Chronicle. Has since apologized and met with former Sen. George Mitchell, baseball's steroid investigator. Commissioner Bud Selig has said Giambi won't be punished.

GARY SHEFFIELD -- Detroit Tigers outfielder testified before grand jury in 2003 that he never knowingly took steroids.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press