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Victor GrafA central figure in one of the biggest drug scandals in sporting history has died aged 75.
Conte's company, Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Conditioning (SNAC), announced his death. publish on Xsaying he was battling pancreatic cancer.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of our fearless leader,” the statement said. “We will fulfill his wishes. SNAC and its legacy will move forward, strong and forever. We LOVE you Conte!”
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Victor Conte, founder of BALCO, has died at the age of 75. His company SNAC announced his death on social media. (IMAGN)
Conte's previous venture, BALCO, made national headlines in 2003 when federal agents raided his business as well as his Northern California home as part of an investigation into a steroid scandal that rocked several sports leagues, most notably Major League Baseball.
He later pleaded guilty in 2005 to conspiracy to distribute steroids and money laundering, admitting to supplying performance-enhancing drugs to several high-profile athletes, including Barry Bondsthe king of baseball and Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones.
MARLON BIRD HAS NO DOUBT ABOUT WORKING WITH CONTE
While Conte expressed regret for his role, he also reflected on his controversial legacy in the Netflix documentary.
“When Marion Jones finished and won the gold medal, when Barry Bonds hit all those home runs, you know, any of those great accomplishments is something I'll always be proud of.”
Victor Conte, founder of BALCO, speaks to the media at the Federal Courthouse following his sentencing in the BALCO steroids case on October 18, 2005 in San Francisco, California. The case, which brought international attention to steroid use among athletes, ended today with Victor Conte receiving a four-month prison sentence and four months of house arrest. (David Paul Morris/Getty Images)
As part of his sentencing, Conte served four months in a maximum security federal prison in California.
Conte's SNAC developed and sold natural supplements, but he was not completely excluded from the sport. He was an advisor to the boxing world, and his clients included Terence “Bud” Crawford and Claressa Shields.
That doesn't mean Conte still doesn't have his detractors, as Crawford's last fight against Canelo Alvarez raised skeptics who believed he might be cheating with Conte on his team.
“Please don't stress too much about the negativity of my past,” Conte said via USA TODAY to Crawford's unanimous victory over Alvarez, which made him a three-belt champion.
BALCO founder and president Victor Conte speaks at the panel discussion “Tribeca Talks: Injecting the American Dream” during the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival on May 3, 2008 in New York City. (Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)
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Conte was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May but has continued to work with athletes from his hospital bed in recent months.
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