Mac Wilkins

At a time when the United States dominated track and field, the nation's Olympic trials were considered by some as the world's best meet, even more competitive than the Olympics. Today, long after the rest of the world has caught or passed the United States in many events, the U.S. trials still represent the world's best meet from 400 meters down. That is particularly true in the men's competition, although the U.S. women sprinters no longer bow to anyone, not even the East Germans. The U.S.

With a background in music and no formal science training, Victor Conte Jr. struggled for nearly two decades to build a successful sports nutrition company that now counts baseball superstar Barry Bonds, Olympic gold medalists and middle-age weekend warriors among its disciples. But along with endorsements from top athletes and skyrocketing sales of its most famous product, Conte's Bay Area Co-Operative Laboratories left a trail of discontented shareholders, vendors and former employees.