María Luisa Calle

María Luisa Calle, born on October 3, 1968, in Medellín, Colombia, is a distinguished professional racing cyclist known for her remarkable achievements in the sport. She made history during the 2004 Summer Olympics by winning a bronze medal in the women's points race, becoming the first Colombian to earn a medal in cycling. This achievement, however, was marred by controversy when she was initially stripped of her medal due to a positive test for the banned stimulant heptaminol. Fortunately, after further investigation, the test result was proven incorrect, and her medal was reinstated.

In addition to her Olympic success, Calle showcased her exceptional talent at the 2011 Pan American Games, where she clinched the gold medal in the individual time trial at the age of forty-three, finishing with an impressive time of twenty-eight minutes and four point eighty-two seconds. This victory further solidified her status as one of Colombia's premier cyclists.

Despite her accomplishments, Calle's career faced challenges. On July 22, 2015, it was revealed that she tested positive for GHRP2 during the 2015 Pan American Games, leading to a four-year ban from the sport. This incident highlighted the ongoing issues surrounding doping in athletics, but it did not overshadow her significant contributions to Colombian cycling.