The 1996 Olympic gold medalist in the 4x100-meter relay anticipates her efforts to gain entry into quality meets will be difficult. "I'm sure I'll run into some stumbling blocks," she said during an exclusive and rare interview with WCSN.com by phone earlier this week. "It will be an issue for meet directors."

"It" refers to the suspension that ended in May. Earlier this week, Gaines talked at length to the media for the first time about her suspension. She elaborated on the challenges she faces in her return to competition and the struggles she has endured since her name was connected to investigations into illegal drug activity by the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative in 2003.