Tim Montgomery: From 100m world record holder to the fastest man in prison

Tim Montgomery was once the fastest man on the planet, specializing in the 100m sprint and the 4 x 100m relay and excelling at world level.

The American sprinter competed at two Olympic Games, running in the 4x100m relay at the 1996 and 2000 Games, winning gold and silver, per World Athletics.

Montgomery also medalled at the World Championships (indoor and outdoor), winning bronze in the 100m sprint in 1997, gold in the 4x100m in 1999, and silver in the 60m dash in 2001.

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His personal best in the 100m sprint is 9.92 seconds, per World Athletics, despite posting a world record time of 9.78 in 2002 that was later nullified.

His world record time in 2002 was the start of a long list of controversies to follow for Montgomery, who ended up at the forefront of the BALCO saga.

Before the 2004 Olympic trials, Montgomery was charged with using illegal performance enhancing drugs by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and banned for two years, losing any records or medals after March 2001.

It was found that Montgomery was working with the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative founder Victor Conte to take PEDs and gain the 100m world record.

Montgomery was on a cycle of PEDs and taking tetrahydrogestrinone (The Clear) to keep his tests negative so he could ensure he was eligible to race.

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After the BALCO investigation went public, with fellow athletics star Marion Jones also found guilty, Montgomery retired from running and admitted in 2008 that he took growth hormone and testosterone at the 2000 Sydney games.

After his public humiliation for cheating, the former sprinter wasn't done yet with his run-ins with the law, serving prison time for other cases after his athletics career.

In 2006, Montgomery was indicted and arrested on fraud charges after being accused of depositing three fake checks, allegedly totaling up to $775,000 (£597k, €710k).

Montgomery allegedly received $20,000 (£15k, €18k) for his participation in the scheme, pleading guilty to the charges in April 2007, and was sentenced to 46 months in prison on May 16, 2008.

Just two weeks before his sentencing for the money laundering charges, Montgomery was accused of selling 100 grams of heroin in the Hampton Roads area the previous year.

According to the 'Virginian-Pilot' newspaper, Montgomery expressed that he knew nothing about the charges and that his arrest was a 'total surprise.'

In October 2008, the former American sprinter was found guilty on the charges related to selling heroin and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Since being released from prison, Montgomery has set up his own business, focusing on sports training and fitness for kids and adults. His motto, 'Never underestimate my ability,' is linked to his athletic success and challenges in later life.

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