‘Heartbroken’ by her rivals’ doping offenses, Shannon Rowbury is now set to receive a bronze medal – 12 years after she raced

Shannon Rowbury’s Olympic journey is a blend of triumph and turmoil, a reflection of the highs and lows of competitive athletics. Competing in her second Olympic final during the 2012 London Games, Rowbury experienced the thrill of racing in front of a roaring crowd, a sensation she described as “the most out-of-body experience” of her life. The atmosphere in the London Stadium was electric, with the crowd’s cheers reverberating in a way that felt almost seismic as she approached the finish line.

However, the race had a shadow cast over it—a series of doping violations that would come to light in the years following the event. Today, the women’s 1,500-meter final at the London Olympics is regarded as one of the most tainted races in track history. Out of the 13 competitors, five are now set to have their results disqualified due to doping offenses, including Aslı Çakır Alptekin and Gamze Bulut, who finished first and second, respectively, along with Russian athlete Tatyana Tomashova, who was initially fourth but has now been elevated to silver after her own disqualifications.

This troubling context has left Rowbury with mixed feelings about her experience. Recently, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) imposed a 10-year ban on Tomashova for returning positive tests for anabolic steroids in 2012, further confirming Rowbury’s suspicions about the integrity of her competition. With Tomashova’s results now nullified, Rowbury, who initially finished sixth, stands to be awarded the bronze medal—a recognition that arrives more than a decade after her race.

When Rowbury learned of the CAS ruling, she was overwhelmed with emotion. “I just started shaking,” she recalled, bursting into tears in her husband’s embrace—a moment she described as a “release of 12 years of pain” and a long-awaited “dream come true.” She expressed her relief at the prospect of finally seeing justice served, a sentiment she had almost given up on after so many years.

Reflecting on her career, which ended in 2018 with the birth of her daughter, Rowbury has spoken candidly about the emotional toll that her rivals’ doping has taken on her. Competing against athletes who were not on a level playing field was deeply unsettling. “It’s been the most heartbreaking part,” she admitted. “We were competing in a time that was unfortunately so dirty.” The realization that some competitors were cheating weighed heavily on her, turning what should have been moments of joy into sources of deep frustration.

After retiring, Rowbury struggled with her disillusionment regarding the sport. The 2021 Tokyo Olympics were particularly hard for her to watch, as she felt disconnected from the events unfolding on screen. Although she returned to the Olympics as an analyst for NBC in Paris, her bittersweet feelings lingered. “It was thrilling to see cleaner races, but I felt heartbroken that I was a decade too early,” she reflected.

Rowbury’s teammate, Alysia Montaño, shares a similar fate, as she too is set to receive a bronze medal from the London Games due to doping infractions among her competitors. Both athletes are now coming to terms with the recognition that eluded them during their prime years.

As Rowbury contemplates her newfound medal, she also reflects on the impact that this acknowledgment could have had on her career—more financial support, endorsement deals, and the affirmation of her hard work. “I don’t think I have the strength to really dig into it yet,” she admitted, although she is beginning to process her journey with a sense of hope.

A California native, Rowbury is considering the prospect of receiving her bronze medal at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, envisioning a moment of closure alongside family and friends. She is also preparing for her first marathon in New York on November 3, a new challenge that has reignited her passion for running.

Now, as a former professional athlete, Rowbury is rediscovering the joy of running outside the competitive sphere. She is learning to appreciate the community aspect and the pure exhilaration of the sport, something she felt was overshadowed during her competitive years. “It’s been really healing,” she said, as she reconnects with the sport that once defined her life.