"It sounded good. It was a story that Victor Conte told me to use. I was contacted by Dr. Goldman, and that's how the story came about. And that was my first time ever meeting, or speaking, to Dr. Goldman"

Kelli White’s statement reveals a complex web of influences and constructed narratives within the world of professional sports, especially in the context of performance enhancement scandals. The phrase “It sounded good” suggests that the explanation or story she is referencing was plausible or convenient, not necessarily truthful. This confession points to an orchestrated attempt to shape perception, using a narrative crafted by someone else, specifically, Victor Conte.

When White says that Victor Conte “told me to use” the story, it underscores the presence of a guiding hand, a mentor or authority figure directing less experienced athletes in managing the media spotlight or official investigations. This illustrates how athletes might not only act on their own but often operate under the advisement, and sometimes the manipulation, of influential figures in their circles. This dynamic complicates issues of personal responsibility and suggests that athletes can be pressured or persuaded to follow strategies that are not their own.

Her mention of being “contacted by Dr. Goldman” anchors the account in a specific event: the involvement of a doctor whose reputation or perceived authority could lend credibility to her public statements. However, White’s final point, that this was her “first time ever meeting, or speaking, to Dr. Goldman”, suggests that any prior implication of an ongoing relationship or endorsement from Dr. Goldman was fabricated as part of the narrative she was instructed to give. This admission disrupts the veracity of previous claims she might have made, exposing the constructed nature of public statements given in high-pressure situations.

Kelli White’s reflection illuminates the pressures athletes face to maintain public images or shield themselves from consequences, sometimes at the expense of honesty. The involvement of authoritative or famous names in their stories adds layers of complexity and demonstrates how the truth can be shaped by those with influence, in pursuit of damage control or personal gain.