Michael Hooker, a 69-year-old man from Tennesse, is suspended from track and field until the age of 72. He is banned from the sport for three years after testing positive for steroids.
Everybody wants an advantage, no matter the age!
Hooker accepted the punishment from the United States Anti-Doping Agency without an appeal. His period of ineligibility dates back to August 22, stemming from a track and field event on July 17, 2025.
Michael Hooker cheated in track and field.
Hooker, a native of Nashville, competes in the Masters division of track and field. Well, he used to…
The 69-year-old sprinter got caught cheating at the USA Track & Field Masters Outdoor Championships on July 17, 2025.
SADA was contracted to collect urine samples from all of the athletes. Hooker’s sample later tested positive for multiple illegal substances. Not just one!
The standard ban for this kind of violation, per Article 10.8.1 of the World Anti-Doping Code, is four years. However, admitting to the violation and accepting the sanction within 20 days can reduce the ban by one full calendar year.
That is exactly what happened here. Michael Hooker accepted his penalty from the USADA as soon as it was announced.
The suspension dates back to Aug. 22. so he will be allowed to return to competition on Aug. 23, 2028 at the age of 72. Don’t call it a comeback!
What kind of drugs was he taking?
Hooker tested postive for two different substances: Mesterolone and (synthetic) Testosterone. They are both steroids.
Mesterolone is a man-made chemical that acts like testosterone. It is frequently prescribed by doctors to treat people who do not produce enough testosterone on their own. Athletes can use the substance to help to built muscle faster than normal.
Testosterone serves the same purpose. It helps to build more muscle and to recover quicker from exercise.
USADA used a special test called Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry to catch Michael Hooker. The test determines whether the testosterone in a person’s body is natural or fake.
In this instance, it was the latter. The 69-year-old is out of the sport for three years.