Shelby Houlihan, an American Olympic runner who competed at the 2016 Rio Games and later faced a hotly debated four-year ban, was back on the podium on Saturday.

Houlihan won a silver medal at the World Indoor Championships in the 3,000-meter event in Nanjing, China. She was unable to compete in the Tokyo Olympics and the Paris Olympics because she tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Houlihan claimed at the time the positive test was a result of a tainted pork burrito she bought from a Mexican food truck.

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"It’s been a long journey," she told Let’s Run. "I'm excited for today and now, but also kind of grieving the past a bit. It’s just been a real tough journey."

Houlihan is the U.S. record holder at 1,500 meters and the former record holder in the 5,000-meter event. Her 2021 appeal of her ban was moved to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but was ultimately rejected.

However, the case kicked off a debate in the sport and anti-doping world as the elements were similar to other "no fault" cases that resulted in little or no penalty. 

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Houlihan’s punishment ultimately cost her a trip to Paris for the Olympics and she now has to work twice as hard to get ready for a potential appearance in Los Angeles in 2028.

"Getting used to completely trying to create a new normal," Houlihan said. "Running had been part of my life since I was 5, so who am I without this? I didn't know. (I felt) totally crumbled and trying to rebuild myself back up."

The 32-year-old Iowa native said she hoped her success could lead to a sponsor. The world outdoor championships are set for September.

"It got to a point where I was just like, ‘I don’t want to give up because I feel like I'll always wonder what could have been,'" she said. "And then I feel like I still have more to prove. I feel like the best is yet to come for myself and I wanted to see that through and not let someone else decide."

Houlihan was eligible to compete again in January and made her return to the track last month at the Razorback Invitational in Arkansas. She won the indoor 3,000-meter race.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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THE Premier League’s highest-earning players and managers have been revealed – with one surprise inclusion.

French publication L’Equipe has looked at which stars take home the most amount of money each week.

And it’s no surprise that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland tops the list by quite a margin.

The 24-year-old put pen to paper on a huge nine-and-a-half year deal earlier this year.

In doing so, he also increased his weekly wage from £375,000 to £500,000.

Also joining Haaland on the rich list are players from Liverpool and Manchester United.

PLAYER RICH LIST

As already mentioned, Haaland earns the most money in the Premier League by far.

L’Equipe has revealed that he takes home an estimated gross monthly salary of around £2.2million.

That includes guaranteed add-ons, loyalty bonuses and image rights payments.

Ranked second in the list is Haaland’s Man City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne.

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The 33-year-old is currently estimated to be earning £1.7m monthly, which equates to £432,000-a-week.

However, he might not be making that for much longer.

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De Bruyne has been heavily linked with a move away from the Etihad this summer, with his contract set to expire in June.

He is yet to agree terms for a new deal with the Cityzens.

Joint-third in the rankings are Casemiro and Mohamed Salah.

Brazil midfielder Casemiro became Man Utd’s highest earner when he joined the club in a £70m transfer from Real Madrid in 2022.

And he recently revealed that he intends to see out his contract despite receiving criticism from fans for his underwhelming form.

Meanwhile, Liverpool fans are hoping that Salah extends his stay at Anfield.

The winger’s contract is due to expire in June and he is yet to agree terms for a renewal.

Both Casemiro and Salah pocket £1.5m-a-month, which works out as £376,250-per-week.

Joint-fifth on the list are loan stars Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling.

The duo each take home £1.4m every month (£349,000-a-week) which is split between their parent club and their loan club.

United allegedly pay 75% of Rashford’s wages, with Aston Villa covering the rest.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are covering the bulk of Sterling’s earnings, with Arsenal paying a smaller amount.

MANAGER RICH LIST

With Haaland topping the player rich list, his Man City boss Pep Guardiola leads the manager list.

The Spaniard is reported to be earning £1.7m-a-month, which equates to £416,000-a-week.

Meanwhile, his former assistant and current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is the second highest-earning boss in the Prem.

The Gunners boss allegedly banks £1.2m every month (£309,000 weekly) at the Emirates.

And arguably the most surprising inclusion across both lists is that of David Moyes.

The 61-year-old returned to Goodison Park earlier this year following the departure of Sean Dyche.

L’Equipe has reported that Moyes earns £1m every month (£257,000-a-week).

The Scot has enjoyed an impressive start to his time at Everton, lifting the club away from the relegation zone.