Three athletes - Rebekah Keat from Australia, Amber Neben from the United States, and Mike Vine from Canada - have filed suit against Hammer Nutrition, Ltd. in the Orange County Superior Court, California, alleging that their positive drug tests were caused by the use of Hammer Nutrition Endurolyte supplements that were contaminated with the steroid precursor norandrostenedione. 

After winning the 2004 Western Australia, Australian Rebekah Keat's drug test revealed trace amounts of 19-norandrosterone, a urinary metabolite of the banned steroid precursor norandrostenedione. Despite an appeal hearing where Court Arbitration for Sport(CAS) accepted the result was due to supplement contamination, Rebekah Keat was suspended for two years. She returned to competition last year and claimed the title of Australian Ironman Triathlon Champion in a new record time, and she recently finished 6th at the 2007 Hawaii Ironman World Championships in her first attempt at that competition.

During her ban she was determined to find an answer. After 2 years of relentless effort, a WADA laboratory finally agreed to test the Endurolyte supplements Rebekah Keat had been given by her sponsor and was taking during the 2004 Ironman Western Australia for steroids or steroid precursors. That independent laboratory reported that testing of the Endurolyte supplements revealed that they were in fact contaminated with norandrostenedione, in an amount that was consistent with Rebekah Keat's positive drug test.

Joining Rebekah Keat in the lawsuit are United States cyclist Amber Neben and Canadian triathlete Mike Vine.

Following the UCI Montreal World Cup race on May 31, 2003, Amber Neben's drug test revealed trace amounts of 19-norandrosterone. At the time, she was a member of a professional women's cycling team that was sponsored by Hammer Nutrition, and was using Endurolytes. As a result of the positive drug test, Amber Neben was suspended from competition for six months. She has since returned to competition, where she has been ranked in the top-10 in the world, winning numerous major stage races including the Tour de l'Aude Feminin, the Route de France, and the Redlands Cycling Classic.

Following the 2002 Xterra World Championships Off-Road Triathlon, Mike Vine's drug test revealed trace amounts of 19-norandrosterone. At the time, he was sponsored by Hammer Nutrition, and was using Endurolytes. As a result of the positive drug test, Mike Vine was suspended from competition for two years. He has since returned to competition, winning numerous Xterra Off-road triathlons.

Rebekah Keat commented as follows:
"Being innocent I never gave up. I knew I had to have faith that the truth would one day unfold. The pain of being labeled a drug cheat and not being able to clear my name was soul destroying and something I would not wish on my worst enemy. Thanks to the hard work of my twin sister we finally have an answer, and this lawsuit for me will bring some justice. Nothing can give me back my two years, by my self worth and soul are slowly rebuilding. At least now this chapter I don't want to remember may be closed and I can move forward with this burden finally lifted. I just want to focus 100% on what I love, triathlon, and strive to achieve my dream of winning Hawaii Ironman."

Amber Neben commented as follows:
"Testing positive and being suspended from cycling was one of the most painful experiences in my life. Despited the fact that I have never taken steroids, my career and my accomplishments have been unfairly maligned. It is my hope that with this lawsuit, I can finally put this event behind me."

Mike Vine commented as follows:
"To be unfairly accused of using steroids has been one of the worst things that can happen to me as an athlete. Enduring a 2-year suspension for this was a traumatic and incredibly difficult ordeal. My return to sport has not been without some unfair comments from competitors and press."