Mary Docter

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Mary Angela Docter (born February 11, 1961) is an American speed skater from Madison, Wisconsin. She competed in four Olympic Games (in 1980, 1984, 1988 and 1992), mainly in the 3,000 meter event. Her third-place finish in the all-around at the 1981 World Championship was the last medal won by the United States in that event as of 2003.[1]

After the 1988 Olympic Games, she admitted that she got stoned three nights during the week prior to competition. She said it was an excuse for not being better. It enabled her, should she end up performing poorly, to blame the use of substances. But if she won, she would be able to perceive herself as having exceptional ability, because she overcame the effects of performance-inhibiting drugs. Win or lose, she was covered. She finished 19th in the 3,000 meters and 11th in the 5,000 meters event.[2]

According to the New York Times,[3] after Docter qualified for the 1992 team in three speed-skating events — 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 meters — she told the media about her drug addiction over the past 10 years, revealing its destructive nature and how she finally confronted the problem by seeking help.