Olympic champion Gail Devers will return to competition next season, hoping to show young athletes and track fans that there can be success without performance-enhancing drugs.

In a telephone interview from Japan, Devers told The Associated Press she was motivated to come back by the recent controversy over a designer steroid, THG, being used by some athletes.

"I have to come back," she said Tuesday. "I really do, for the good of not just our sport but for those who are watching. Yeah, there's negative things all around, but I'm very positive. I want people to know that."

For the past several years, Devers, who turns 37 next month, has dodged the retirement issue at the end of each season, saying she would make up her mind later. This year, the drug scandal hastened her announcement.

"Everyone in track and field is not doing wrong. Everyone in track and field is not making bad choices," she said.

Devers is one of the most decorated track and field athletes in U.S. history. She won the Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters in 1992 and 1996, the world championship in the 100-meter hurdles in 1993, '95 and '99 and the world 100-meter champion in 1993.

She has never won an Olympic gold, though, in her best event, the 100-meter hurdles. Next year's Athens Games undoubtedly would be her last chance.

Devers won her fifth straight U.S. title 100-meter hurdle title -- and ninth overall -- this year but failed to make the finals in the event at the world championships in Paris.

Devers said she has been tested for drugs countless times but never worries about the results because she doesn't take any performance-enhancing drugs. She said she is saddened by how widespread the use of steroids might be.

"The bigger picture for me is what messages are we sending to our youth. We forget about that," she said. "All I can really speak for is myself and how I live my life. There are choices for everyone to make every day."