16 Facts About Amber Neben

At the age of four Amber Neben survived a bout of spinal meningitis, which left her in a coma for three days.

Amber Neben played soccer and ran cross-country in junior high and high school.

Amber Neben attended the University of Nebraska on a track and cross-country scholarship.

Amber Neben took up cycling after graduating from college with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.

Amber Neben then obtained a master's degree in biology from the University of California, Irvine, having originally commenced studies for a PhD.

Amber Neben concentrated first on mountain biking but her greatest success was on the road.

Amber Neben won the Rupert to Pomerelle stage of the 2001 Women's Challenge race with its long, steep climb to the finish, the fourth American to win a stage at the Women's Challenge since it became a UCI event.

Amber Neben then concentrated on road cycling and was picked for the road world championship team in 2001 and 2002.

Amber Neben missed placing first by eight seconds in the time trial selection race for the Olympic Games.

Amber Neben was picked for the 2008 US Olympic team and came 33rd in the road race event in Beijing.

Amber Neben made the 2012 US Olympic team for the Women's road race, along with Kristin Armstrong, Shelley Olds and Evelyn Stevens.

Amber Neben tested positive for the banned substance 19-Norandrosterone on May 31,2003, after she won the Coupe du Monde Montreal World Cup race.

Amber Neben appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] and accepted a provisional suspension from mid-July 2003.

Amber Neben was suspended, in a split decision, for six months, starting from the provisional ban beginning on July 13,2003.

Amber Neben would have to be tested for drugs regularly for the following 18 months.

Amber Neben is married to Jason K Neben, associate vice president of Data and Technology, and Founding Chair of the Data Governance Committee at Concordia University Irvine.