Victor Conte, the controversial figure behind a high-profile scheme that supplied performance-enhancing drugs to elite athletes, passed away at 75. The founder of SNAC System, Conte played a significant role in the steroid scandal that rocked professional sports two decades ago.
His death was confirmed on social media by SNAC System, which did not provide details on the cause. Conte was best known for founding the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO), which became notorious for delivering designer steroids to leading sports figures like baseball stars Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi, and track star Marion Jones.
Conte's involvement in the steroid scandal led to a federal investigation that resulted in multiple convictions, including that of Jones and others in the cycling and football worlds. He served four months in prison following his guilty plea for drug distribution.
Despite admitting to supplying drugs, Conte consistently maintained his innocence, arguing he simply helped athletes gain a competitive edge in a system riddled with cheaters. He was a vocal advocate for anti-doping measures later in life, asserting that his experiences could inform better practices.
Born into a music-centric family, Conte also had a brief career as a musician in the late 1970s, playing bass for the funk band Tower of Power. Following news of his passing, the band’s founder remembered Conte as a talented musician and advocate for clean sports.
Conte’s legacy is a complex one, caught between the worlds of sports performance, doping, and integrity. He leaves behind a controversial yet significant mark on the ongoing discussion of drug use in athletics, ensuring that the issues he personified will remain a focal point in sports for years to come.
