2003 was the height of Washington's track career. He won the U.S. indoor, World Indoor and USA outdoor titles and entered the World Outdoor Championships in Paris as the favorite. In Paris, he was unfairly denied the gold medal, crossing the finish line behind Young, who later admitted to doping. It was his only loss of the season. But on June 17, 2008, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced that all of Young's results from January 1, 1999 onward would be stripped, thus making Washington the 2003 World Outdoor champion.
"It's unfortunate that I couldn't enjoy the moment in Paris but I will take mymedal and title withopen arms," Washington said of his 2003 world title. "I will definitely not stray away from track and field since I believe my calling is to educate and inspire the young athletes coming up. I will do my part to help keep drugs out of the sport and work towards having a clean playing field for all athletes."