Shannon Rowbury Stays Clean in the “Dirtiest Race in History”

“Do what you love, work hard, and success will find you.” That was the advice Shannon Rowbury’s parents gave her as a child, well before she realized her talent for long distance running. And when that realization did happen, Rowbury lived by that mantra—pursuing a sports career that took her to the world’s biggest stage. But once she was on that stage at the 2012 London Olympic Games, Rowbury realized that she might be surrounded by competitors who were more interested in shortcuts than winning through hard work and talent. That theory proved true, with the 1500m race becoming known as “the dirtiest race in history”. Shannon finished 6th at the Games that day, and now, she’s poised to receive the bronze medal during the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles based on the terrible reality that five competitors in the race have been retroactively disqualified for doping. Here, Shannon reflects on the upbringing that led her to compete clean, the devastation of losing to dopers, and her current outlook on sport and life.