WADA president: it was right decision to exclude caffeine from list of banned substances

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) believes that caffeine should be included in banned medicines of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The president of the AOC John Coates claims that caffeine induces addiction to sleeping pills and tranquilizers.
It is known that the Australian swimmers that participated at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games took sleeping pills Stilnox. Thus, Coates notices that administration of caffeine resulted in usage of Stilnox.
Stilnox is usually sold under the commercial name Zolpidem. It is a sleeping remedy that is taken to treat insomnia.
Coates confirms that athletes take caffeine for its effects on performance. Consumption of this substance causes insomnia. Thus, sportspersons have to administer sleeping tablets for treatment of insomnia.
 The AOC and Swimming Australia desire to ban consumption of caffeine. It is their response to the disgrace related to Grant Hackett. A physician recommended using Stilnox to this swimmer at the time of the 2003 World Championships. As a result, the athlete became addicted to this sleeping remedy.
Grant Hackett is a prominent swimmer. He won numerous competitions, including the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Alan Thompson, the former coach of the Australian Olympic Team, has also affirmed that usage of Stilnox is widely spread among Australian swimmers.
Stilnox was never on the list of prohibited products. Anti-doping agencies didn’t conduct tests to disclose usage of this drug.
But when it comes to caffeine, previously it was prohibited by the WADA. But since it became widely spread and used in society, it was excluded from the list of forbidden medications.
John Fahey, the president of the WADA, states that the WADA made the right decision and excluded caffeine from list of banned drugs. He confirmed that caffeine would not be included in the list of banned medications again.
However many experts confirm that caffeine is a performance enhancer, John Fahey contests this statement. He claims that caffeine doesn’t influence on performance. John Fahey concludes that no any scientific literature proves capacity of caffeine to increase performance.

BOA altered rules in order to prevent appearing of Dwain Chambers at 2012 Olympics

The British runner Dwain Chambers, who successfully served his 2-year suspension for usage of anabolic steroids, was chosen to be the representative of Great Britain in the 2012 Olympic Games.
Chambers troubles about the way to represent the native country. As for the British Olympic Association (BOA), they don’t desire to see him participating in the Olympic Games. Certain former British Olympians don’t support the steroid user as well.
The British sprinter administered the steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) elaborated by Patrick Arnold. After Don Catlin elaborated a method that could disclose intake of THG, Chambers tested positive for this steroid. It was on November 7, 2003.
Undoubtedly, application of the steroid spoiled his reputation. When he tried to come back to professional sports, the BOA made the decision to alter the laws in order to prevent appearing of Dwain Chambers in the 2012 Summer Olympics. The BOA has established the rules which ban steroid users from Olympics for life-time.
Establishing this rule, the BOA violated the doping code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This situation resulted in many disputes and news.
The case was even examined in the Court of Arbitration for Sports. The chairman of the BOA Loyd Moynihan put great efforts in order to prevent appearing of Dwain Chambers or other consumers of steroids at Olympics. Such former Olympians, as Sebastian Coe and Daley Thompson, loudly supported efforts of the BOA.
 Daley Thompson claimed that Britain should not compromise. He noted that Britain should not listen to the rest of the world that don’t desire to have high standards in sports. The Court of Arbitration for Sports acted on behalf of the WADA. Dwain Chambers was allowed to be the representative of Britain at the 2012 London Olympics. This case turned out to be an open door for other athletes that have served their suspensions to take part in Olympics.
The cyclist David Millar and the shot-putter Carl Myerscough that have served their bans for steroid use will compete at the 2012 London Olympics as well.
Despites wasting much time to keep former steroid users from Olympics, the BOA ultimately claimed that not only the sprinter Dwain chambers but also Millar, Myerscough or any other athlete that has served a suspension successfully may compete at Olympics. Andy Hunt, the CEO of the BOA, has claimed that any sportsperson is treated the same way.

Slovenian steroid dealer gave one million Euros to Austrian authorities to avoid extradition to US

Lately a large steroid empire was busted in Austria. It was discovered that this company earned 40 million Euros due to illicit sale of steroids. Mihael Karner was considered to be the leader of the steroid empire. The USA asked Austria to extradite this man to the US. But Mihael Karner wasn’t extradited. He gave one million Euros to Austrian authorities that sent him to Slovenia, his native country.
Slovenia’s laws differ from Austrian ones. According to the Slovenian Constitution, it is forbidden to extradite Slovenian citizens to another country. Mihael Karner turned out to be a lucky man. If he had not avoided the extradition to the USA, he would have been probably sentenced to 40 years in jail.
Federal prosecutors began the investigation linked with this drug ring in 2005. The steroid empire started to function earlier. Federal prosecutors determined that since 2000 till 2008 the company earned 40 million Euros due to illicit sale of steroids.
Federal prosecutors determined in 2005 that Mihael Karner and his wife were implicated in illegal distribution of steroids but they couldn’t pursue them because the Karners were in Austria. But later steroid laws in Austria were altered due to suppression by the US. Furthermore, the US induced the arrest of Mihael Karner and his wife.
However the US tries to enforce European countries and other countries of the world to extradite steroid dealers to the USA, it doesn’t have essential success in this area. But the persons that were involved in “Musclebear” and “British Dragon” were extradited from Cyprus and Thailand to the USA. That time the US had a victory.
As for Mihael Karner, the USA believed that the extradition would be successful. That’s why the US was shocked, when it was found that Karner reached Slovenia safely. Thus, the USA was defeated this time in the war on steroids.

Jonny Spelman’s plans differ from those of his parents

Mrs. Spelman and her husband put efforts in order to prevent publishing news about her son’s application of steroids. She spent significant sums of money in courts for this need. But as you know, any person could read the news about the youngest British sportsman who was caught administering forbidden medicines and banned from rugby. Anyone expected that Jonny Spelman would thank his parents for the efforts to hide the truth. But Jonny’s attitude turned out to be opposite.
Spelman’s son desires to become a prominent professional bodybuilder. He wants to reach the title of Mr. Olympia.
As for application of steroids, Jonny Spelman was very open. He wrote about own steroid use on Bodybuilding.com and on bodybuilding forums of other web sites. He noticed that he applied Anavar, Dianabol, Winstrol and Testosterone. Spelman’s son shared own experience and asked for instructions about usage of several steroids and combinations. He also asked about ways of being on PCT.
Since he wrote about usage of steroids openly, administrators of the site Bodybuilding.com banned him. It led to the search of Jonny’s school room. As a result, drug paraphernalia was discovered.
The young athlete notices that however his parents are rich, they don’t desire to support financially his efforts to become a professional bodybuilder. They have said him that he should move out, if he desires to be a bodybuilder. But Jonny has goals and he doesn’t want to leave them. He intends to post workout videos on YouTube and get money in exchange. The teenager adds that viewers of YouTube play a great role in his life because they help him to become a bodybuilder.

Swedish experts: intake of steroids may cause unhealthy fat distribution that leads to heart attacks

A valuable research was conducted at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University. Scientists studied and defined relations between administration of steroids, body fat distribution and some undesirable consequences of anabolic steroids. The research has displayed that users of steroids may experience unhealthy fat distribution which can result in heart attacks and other disorders of cardiovascular system.
The results of the study and conclusions were published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
 Ten top lifters from Sweden were involved in the research. They use anabolic steroids regularly. Thus, it was studied role of steroids in body fat distribution.
It is affirmed that lifters that take anabolic-androgenic steroids face risks suffering from heart attacks. It has been studied by specialists at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University how body fat is distributed in lifters that administer steroids possessing anabolic and androgenic features. It has been determined that incorrect fat distribution can be a reason for cardiovascular diseases.
The lifters who were involved in the study were divided into two groups. Body fat distribution was studied in lifters of the two groups. The lifters of one group applied anabolic steroids. The lifters of another group didn’t apply steroids.
The study has demonstrated that those that administer steroids have more reduced fat deposits below the waist. So, they have lower levels of gynoid fat.
DEXA scanner which is ordinarily used to study osteoporosis has been utilized in order to determine fat distribution during the study.

Colin Daynes used banned drugs to recover from injury

Colin Daynes, a Canadian wrestler, failed a test for banned medicines. Unfortunately, his Olympic dreams will not be real. He was given 2-year ban.
Last year the wrestler was chosen for the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame.
 The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports banned this wrestler. He failed a drug test, when he got a gold medal in the 74-kg weight class.
The wrestler tested positive for Drostanolone, Boldenone, Tamoxifen and Furosemide. Each of these drugs is in the list of forbidden medications of the World Anti-Doping Agency. As for Drostanolone and Boldenone, they belong to anabolic steroids. Furosemide is a diuretic preparation. It is used as a masking agent for other medicines. Tamoxifen is a drug which is advised for prevention of adverse consequences which occur due to steroid cycles.
The sportsman admitted to administration of forbidden medications and accepted the sentence. The wrestler said that he used the prohibited preparations to receive recovery from an injury. The athlete told to The Star Monday night that he wanted to recover in order to participate in the Summer Olympics. Colin Daynes noted that a naturopathic physician recommended using these products. The athlete also added that he hadn’t known that the preparations were prohibited. According to his affirmations, if he had known, he wouldn’t have competed.
Colin Daynes was going to represent Canada at the Olympics again. The wrestler represented his country at the 1996 Olympics that took place in Atlanta.
He didn’t put efforts to defense himself. The athlete noticed that there was no any difference whether the forbidden medicines were found in the blood or not. They presented in the system.
Earlier this athlete also competed in mixed martial arts. The wrestler had to qualify internationally. The athlete thought that he would compete at the Olympics in London last time. Then the wrestler’s career comes to the end. But he was sentenced to ban because of positives for banned drugs.
Bill Hogarth, Colin Daynes’ personal trainer, claims that that the things are too bad. But the wrestler didn’t desire to cheat. Hogarth hopes that Daynes’ reputation will not be destroyed. During the career Colin Daynes won 62 gold medals, 11 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Australian man was caught possessing 1 kg of testosterone

Carlton Alloysius Hayes, a person from Australia, was charged with possession of almost a kg of Testosterone Propionate. He ordered powder of this product via internet and got it from overseas. This man also wanted to purchase benzyl benzoate, a chemical that is utilized in order to make liquid for injections from powder. When police officers found out that this person ordered this chemical, he was asked about purpose of purchasing it. Carlton Alloysius Hayes affirmed that he wanted to buy it for a friend. But he noticed that he couldn’t remember the name of the friend.
Then Hayes himself contacted policemen and asked them to come to his place. When police officers came, Hayes showed that he had 2 bags of white powder. He also acknowledged that he had ordered benzyl benzoate in order to mix it with the powder and make liquid for injections.  
Hayes weighed approximately 156 kg, when the court took place. He claimed that he couldn’t lose weight, although he trained at the gym. Thus, he used steroids to lose weight and improve appearance. This man claimed that he hadn’t had any intention to distribute steroids. He obtained the testosterone powder for personal intake.
A defense attorney for Carlton Alloysius Hayes confirmed that his client had a good reputation. He always worked hardly.
 However he had to be sentenced to imprisonment because he purchased steroids from overseas, the judge’s decision was to give him some months of suspended jail. Thus, this man avoided imprisonment.

Poland’s police work successfully against illegal sale of steroids

A criminal group that manufactured and sold anabolic steroids was busted by Poland’s police officers. Over 90 policemen and border police were involved in the investigation linked with this illicit steroid ring. Customers were mainly from North America. Police officers detained 19 persons: 6 women and 13 men. They were charged with illegal manufacture and sale of steroids and money laundering.
Investigators determined that the drug ring was dealing with steroids since March 2008. The company advertised steroids for increase of muscle mass and health in general. The preparations were offered for sale per internet. Persons from the USA, Canada, France, Belgium, etc. placed orders and obtained illegal medications.  Steroids were packed in fake packages and delivered to customers. There was a member of the group that was responsible for getting money and transferring it to members of the drug ring.
Homes and business offices of the drug ring were raided. Police officers found large quantities of steroids and packages that were prepared to be shipped abroad. Some vehicles, including BMW X6, Mercedes S500 and Jeep Grand, watches, jewelry and other things were confiscated. The total value of confiscated objects and money was estimated. It was circa 1 million Polish zlotys.
 It was determined by investigators that 3 persons composed the leadership of the drug ring. They face 15 years in prison.
This investigation conducted by Polish police officers turned out to be successful. It was not the first successful steroid investigation in Poland. Last year Poland’s police busted another illicit steroid ring. 7 individuals were detained. Approximately 80 police officers participated in that investigation. Police officers also identified medicines that were sold by that group.

New researches related to role of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in fat-free mass

According to a trial, treatment with dutasteride (Avodart), a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, doesn’t affect muscle mass in healthy males who take testosterone.
A study related to this issue was conducted. While fat-free mass was enhanced by 0,6-7,1 kg during 20 weeks in men that applied dutasteride and Testosterone Enanthate, fat-free mass was enhanced by 0,8-8,1 kg in those who used placebo and testosterone. As for muscle strength, sexual functions and volume of prostate, they didn’t differ in males of these 2 groups.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors are utilized clinically to cure benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia. These are diseases which commonly trouble middle-aged and old males.
DHT represents the chief metabolite of testosterone. But the role of DHT in human development is not studied well. It is supposed that DHT has vital role in development of prostate and phallus.
Middle-aged and elder males with reduced testosterone levels that apply testosterone medicines have risks linked with low muscle mass and sexual disorders.
Nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are also currently studied and developed. It is confirmed that SARMs and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are safe because DHT is supposedly not necessary for effects on muscle mass, energy and sexual activity. It is also doubted whether DHT has any role for androgen’s effects on hematocrit, hemoglobin, lipids and several other factors.
Shalender Bhasin and his colleagues at the Boston University have conducted a clinical trial in order to set whether 5?-reduction to DHT is needed in order to mediate androgen’s effects on fat-free mass. Moreover, the scientist evaluated role of 5?-reduction on sexual activity, hematocrit and levels of lipid.
The study conducted by Bhasin and his colleagues involved healthy men who were 18- 50 years old and had normal levels of testosterone. They used Testosterone Enanthate and dutasteride or placebo. Measures of Testosterone Enanthate ranged from 50 to 600 mg weekly.
Since 5 ?-reductase inhibitors enhance levels of testosterone, all men were given also gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in order to block natural testosterone.
The results of the study manifested that fat-free mass was enhanced due to administration of testosterone. It didn’t differ significantly in men of these two groups. Muscle strength that was also enhanced due to application of testosterone didn’t differ between the two groups as well. Sexual functions, prostate volume, sebum production, hemoglobin, acne, hematocrit didn’t differ substantially between those who were given placebo and dutasteride.
The specialists note that effectiveness of 5?-reductase inhibitors may be limited in men that have normal or increased levels of testosterone. That’s why it is important to check testosterone levels in order to set how bodies will respond to 5 ?-reductase inhibitors.
So, the research has displayed that muscle mass is not affected by 5?-reductase inhibitors.  Males should know that if they have increased levels of testosterone or introduce exogenous testosterone in their bodies, 5?-reductase inhibitors will not cause shrinkage of prostate.

10 individuals that were involved in huge drug ring were detained in Spain

A large doping ring was busted by Spain’s police.
 According to reports of police, sportspersons who tested positive at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Vuelta a Espana got steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs from this illegal drug ring.
10 persons that were implicated in this drug ring were arrested. Professional cyclists and other athletes had relations with this illegal drug network.  It represented a popular source of steroids and other related drugs in the world of elite sport.
The investigation was named “Operation Skype”. The doctor  Alberto Beltran Nino was the leader of the drug chain. He is a former doctor of Liberty Seguros team. He was arrested and sentenced to prison, when he tried to flee from Madrid to Columbia. Cezar Perez, the former personal trainer of the champion Marta Dominguez, was also arrested by Spain’s police.
Although the center of the illicit ring was established in Barcelona, it was a multinational company. The ring was related to Morocco and Columbia. Steroids, HGH and EPO CERA were sold by this illegal drug ring.
The physician Beltran also worked with Xacobeo-Galicia team. David Garcia, the rider of this team, tested positive for EPO at the 2010 Vuelta.
The investigation began summer last year. It was initially related to the Spanish runner Jose Luis Blanco after he was sentenced to 2-year ban because of positives for forbidden preparations.