Hope Solo receives an official doping agency warning

The U.S. women’s Olympic team leaves tomorrow for England. As the team prepares to set camp first in Middlesbrough in the country’s northeast reaches, this is surely the last thing players and officials thought they might be dealing with.

Goalkeeper Hope Solo has received an official warning from the U.S. anti-doping agency. The longtime U.S. No. 1 tested positive for Canrenone during a June 15 out-of-competition urine test.

What does it mean? In the bigger picture, not much. No sanctions are involved and probably no peripheral damage, although it’s a great reminder to all athletes (soccer and otherwise) of necessary vigilance over anything and everything they put into their bodies.

Here’s what Solo had to say:

I took a medication prescribed by my personal doctor for pre-menstrual purposes that I did not know contained a diuretic. Once informed of this fact, I immediately cooperated with USADA and shared with them everything they needed to properly conclude that I made an honest mistake, and that the medication did not enhance my performance in any way. As someone who believes in clean sport, I am glad to have worked with USADA to resolve this matter and I look forward to representing my country at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.”