Victor Conte, central figure in the BALCO lab steroid scandal, dies at 75

Victor Conte, Central Figure in BALCO Steroid Scandal, Dies at 75

Victor Conte, founder of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO), passed away on Monday at the age of 75. Conte's family and SNAC, a sports nutrition company he led, confirmed his death. In June, it was announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“We are heartbroken by the passing of our fearless leader, SNAC mastermind, CEO, anti-doping advocate, creator of ZMA, former Tower of Power and Herbie Hancock bassist, Victor Conte,” a SNAC social media post stated. “SNAC and his legacy will carry forward, strong and forever. We love you, Conte!”

Role in the BALCO Scandal

Conte was at the center of one of the most notorious doping scandals in sports history. BALCO, a supplement company he founded, became entangled in investigations when it was revealed in 2003 that Conte orchestrated a complex performance-enhancing drug scheme involving elite athletes. Notable figures caught in the scandal included baseball stars Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi, as well as boxing and track athlete Marion Jones.

The Undetectable Steroid

According to the United States Anti-Doping Agency, Conte collaborated with chemist Patrick Arnold to develop tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), nicknamed "The Clear." This synthetic anabolic–androgenic steroid was designed to avoid detection by drug tests at the time due to its new chemical structure and oral availability.

Legacy

Victor Conte's impact on sports and anti-doping efforts remains significant, remembered both for the controversy and his later advocacy work.

Summary: Victor Conte, BALCO founder and key figure in a major doping scandal involving top athletes, died at 75, leaving a complex legacy in sports and anti-doping communities.

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Media A Mile A Minute%2c LLC Media A Mile A Minute%2c LLC — 2025-11-05

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