WADA: caffeine will not be included in list of banned substances again

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) confirms that caffeine should be included in forbidden products of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The president of the AOC John Coates confirms that caffeine promotes addiction to sleeping remedies and tranquilizers.
It is known that the Australian swimmers that competed at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games took sleeping tablets Stilnox. Thus, Coates confirms that usage of caffeine resulted in administration of Stilnox.
Stilnox is often sold under the name Zolpidem. It is a sleeping remedy which is indicated in case of insomnia.
The president of AOC notes that sportspersons take caffeine in order to increase performance. Consumption of this substance causes insomnia. Thus, sportspersons should apply sleeping tablets in order to treat insomnia.
 The AOC and Swimming Australia want to prohibit consumption of caffeine. It is their response to the disgrace linked with Grant Hackett. A physician recommended using Stilnox to this swimmer at the time of the 2003 World Championships. As a result, Grant Hackett became addicted to this sleeping remedy.
Grant Hackett is a well-known swimmer. He won certain 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 confirmed that intake of Stilnox is widely spread among Australian swimmers.
Stilnox was never on the list of banned preparations. Anti-doping agencies didn’t conduct tests to discover administration of this medication.
But as for caffeine, earlier it was banned by the WADA. But since it became widely spread and used in society, it was excluded from the list of forbidden substances.
John Fahey, the president of the WADA, states that the WADA made the right decision and excluded caffeine from list of prohibited medicines. He confirmed that caffeine would not be included in the list of forbidden medications again.
Although a lot of experts claim that caffeine is a performance enhancer, John Fahey contests this affirmation. He claims that caffeine doesn’t influence on performance. He concludes that no any scientific literature describes ability of caffeine to increase performance.

Dwain Chambers’ case opened door for participation of former steroid users at Olympics

The runner Dwain Chambers, that successfully served his 2-year ban for application of anabolic steroids, was named the representative of Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics.
Chambers troubles about the way to represent the home country. When it comes to the British Olympic Association (BOA), they don’t desire to see him taking part in the Olympic Games. Certain former British Olympians don’t support the consumer of steroids as well.
The British sprinter administered the steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) elaborated by Patrick Arnold. After Don Catlin introduced a method which could discover usage of THG, Dwain Chambers tested positive for this steroid. It was on November 7, 2003.
Of course, administration of the steroid destroyed his reputation. When he attempted to return to professional sports, the BOA made the decision to change the laws in order to prevent appearing of Dwain Chambers in the 2012 Olympics. The BOA has introduced the rules that suspend steroid users from Olympics for life-time.
Elaborating this rule, the BOA violated the doping code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This situation led to numerous disputes and news.
The case was even presented 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. Sebastian Coe and Daley Thompson, former Olympians, loudly supported efforts of the BOA.
 Daley Thompson stated that Britain should not compromise. He noticed that Britain should not listen to the rest of the world that don’t want to have high standards in sports. The Court of Arbitration for Sports acted on behalf of the WADA. Chambers was allowed to represent Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics. This case turned out to be an open door for other sportspersons that have served their bans to participate in Olympics.
The cyclist David Millar and the shot-putter Carl Myerscough that have served their bans for intake of steroids will compete at the 2012 London Olympics as well.
Despites spending much time to prevent appearing of steroid users at Olympic Games, the BOA ultimately stated that not only Chambers but also Millar, Myerscough or any other athlete that has served a suspension successfully may compete at Olympic Games. The CEO of the BOA Andy Hunt has confirmed that any athlete is treated the same way.

Austrian authorities were paid one million Euros in exchange for refusal to extradite steroid dealer to US

Recently a huge steroid empire was busted in Austria. It was discovered that this company received 40 million Euros due to illicit distribution of steroids. Mihael Karner was claimed 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. The steroid dealer paid one million Euros to Austrian authorities that sent him to Slovenia, his native country.
Slovenia’s laws are not the same as Austrian’s ones. According to the Constitution of this country, it is prohibited to extradite Slovenian citizens to another country. Mihael Karner is a lucky individual. If he had been extradited to the USA, he would have been probably sentenced to 40 years in jail.
Federal prosecutors started the investigation connected with this steroid empire in 2005. The steroid empire began to function earlier. Federal prosecutors found that since 2000 till 2008 the company got 40 million Euros due to illicit sale of steroids.
Federal prosecutors determined in 2005 that Mihael Karner and his wife were involved in illicit distribution of steroids but they couldn’t prosecute them because the Karners were in Austria. But later steroid laws in Austria were modified due to suppression by the US. Furthermore, the US promoted the arrest of Mihael Karner and his wife.
However the US attempts to enforce European countries and other countries of the world to extradite steroid dealers to the USA, it doesn’t have great success in this area. But the persons that were implicated 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 hoped that the extradition would be successful. That’s why the US was shocked, when it was learnt that Karner arrived to Slovenia safely. Thus, the USA was defeated this time in the war on steroids.

Jonny Spelman desires to be professional bodybuilder; his parents don’t want to support him financially

Caroline Spelman and her husband put efforts in order to prevent publishing news about her son’s application of steroids. She spent essential sums of money in courts for this goal. But as you know, anyone could read the news about the youngest British sportsperson that was caught using prohibited preparations and banned from rugby. Anyone expected that Jonny Spelman would be thankful to his parents for the efforts to prevent publishing news about him. But the teenager’s attitude turned out to be opposite.
The teenager wants to become a celebrated professional bodybuilder. He desires to win the title of Mr. Olympia.
As for administration of steroids, Jonny Spelman was too open. He wrote about own application of steroids on Bodybuilding.com and on bodybuilding forums of other sites. He confirmed that he took Anavar, Dianabol, Winstrol and Testosterone. Jonny Spelman shared own experience and asked for indications about administration of several steroids and stacks. He also asked about ways of having PCT.
Since he wrote about administration of steroids openly, administrators of the site Bodybuilding.com banned him. It caused the search of his school room. As a result, drug paraphernalia was found.
The young athlete notes that however his parents are rich, they don’t agree to support financially his efforts to become a professional bodybuilder. They have said him that he has to move out, if he desires to be a bodybuilder. But Jonny has goals and he doesn’t desires to leave them. He intends to post workout videos on YouTube and get money in exchange. He adds that viewers of YouTube play a significant role in his life because they support his efforts.

Usage of steroids may lead to unhealthy fat distribution

Recently some experts at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University conducted a valuable research. Specialists studied and defined links between steroid use, body fat distribution and some adverse results of anabolic steroids. The research has displayed that steroid users may suffer from unhealthy fat distribution which can lead to heart attacks and other troubles linked with cardiovascular system.
The results of the research and conclusions were published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
 10 Swedish elite lifters were enrolled in the research. They apply anabolic steroids regularly. So, it was studied function of steroids in body fat distribution.
It is affirmed that lifters that administer steroids possessing anabolic and androgenic properties face risks suffering from heart attacks. It has been studied by specialists at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University the way body fat is distributed in lifters that administer steroids having anabolic and androgenic characteristics. It has been determined that incorrect fat distribution can be a reason for diseases of cardiovascular system.
The lifters who were enrolled in the research 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 take steroids.
The study has manifested that those that apply steroids have more reduced fat deposits below the waist. So, they have more decreased levels of gynoid fat.
DEXA scanner which is usually applied to study osteoporosis has been used in order to measure fat distribution during the study.

Colin Daynes is sentenced to ban

Colin Daynes, a Canadian wrestler, failed a test for prohibited medications. His Olympic dreams will not become real. He was given 2-year ban.
Last year the sportsman was chosen for the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame.
 The sportsman was banned by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports. He failed a drug test, when he acquired a gold medal in the 74-kg weight category.
The athlete tested positive for Drostanolone, Boldenone, Tamoxifen and Furosemide. Every of these products is in the list of banned drugs of the World Anti-Doping Agency. When it comes to Drostanolone and Boldenone, they are anabolic steroids. Furosemide represents a diuretic medicine. It is used as a masking agent for other preparations. Tamoxifen is a drug that is advised for prevention of undesirable reactions that appear due to intake of steroids.
The athlete admitted to application of prohibited medicines and accepted the sentence. He affirmed that he took the forbidden drugs to receive recovery from an injury. Colin Daynes told to The Star Monday night that he wanted to recover in order to take part in the Summer Olympics. The wrestler noticed that a naturopathic physician advised him to take these preparations. Colin Daynes also added that he hadn’t known that the drugs were prohibited. According to his statements, if he had known, he wouldn’t have participated in competitions.
Colin Daynes wanted to represent Canada at the Olympics again. The wrestler represented his country at the 1996 Olympics which took place in Atlanta.
He didn’t attempt to defense himself. Colin Daynes noted that there was no any difference whether the prohibited drugs 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. Colin Daynes thought that he would compete at the 2012 Olympics last time. Then the wrestler’s career ends. But he was sentenced to ban due to positives for banned medicines.
Bill Hogarth,
Colin Daynes’ coach notices that that the things are too bad. But the wrestler didn’t want to cheat. Hogarth hopes that the wrestler’s reputation will not be destroyed. During his career he obtained 62 gold medals, 11 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Australian man who bought 1 kg of testosterone powder escaped from imprisonment

Carlton Alloysius Hayes, a person from Australia, was charged with possession of almost a kg of Testosterone Propionate. He ordered powder of this medicine on internet and acquired it from overseas. This person also wanted to purchase benzyl benzoate, a chemical that is applied for preparing of liquid for injections from powder. When police officers found out that he ordered this chemical, he was asked about purpose of buying it. Carlton Alloysius Hayes confirmed that he intended 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, Carlton Alloysius Hayes showed that he possessed 2 bags of white powder. He also admitted that he had ordered benzyl benzoate in order to mix it with the powder and make solution for injections.  
Carlton Alloysius Hayes weighed about 156 kg, when he was in the court. He confirmed that he couldn’t lose weight, however he trained at the gym. Thus, he administered steroids to lose weight and improve appearance. This person confirmed that he hadn’t had any intention to distribute steroids. He purchased the testosterone powder for self-administration.
A defense attorney for Carlton Alloysius Hayes confirmed that his client had a good reputation. He always worked hardly.
 Although he had to be sentenced to prison because he purchased steroids from overseas, the judge’s decision was to sentence him to several months of suspended jail. Thus, this man avoided imprisonment.

Polish police busted international criminal group

An illegal group that produced and sold anabolic steroids was busted in Poland. More than 90 police officers and frontier guard were involved in the investigation linked with this illegal steroid ring. Customers were mainly from North America. Police arrested 19 individuals: 6 women and 13 men. They were accused of illegal manufacture and distribution of steroids and money laundering.
Investigators determined that the group was dealing with steroids since March 2008. The company advertised steroids for obtaining of muscle mass and well-being in general. The preparations were offered for sale per internet. Individuals from the USA, Canada, France, Belgium, etc. placed orders and obtained illegal products.  Steroids were packed in fake packages and delivered to customers. There was a member of the group that was responsible for receiving money and transferring it to members of the company.
Homes and business offices of the drug ring were raided. Police found huge measures of steroids and packages that were prepared for shipment abroad. Several cars, including BMW X6, Mercedes S500 and Jeep Grand, watches, jewelry and other objects were confiscated. The total value of confiscated objects and money was estimated. It was about 1 million Polish zlotys.
 It was set by investigators that 3 persons were leaders of the drug ring. They face 15 years in prison.
This investigation conducted by Polish police was successful. It was not the first successful drug investigation in this country. Last year Polish police officers busted another illicit drug ring. 7 individuals were arrested. Approximately 80 policemen were involved in that investigation. Police also identified products that were offered for sale by that drug ring.

Muscle mass is not affected by dutasteride

According to a trial, treatment with dutasteride (Avodart), a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, doesn’t influence negatively on muscle mass in healthy males who apply testosterone.
A research related to this issue was performed. While fat-free mass was increased by 0,6-7,1 kg during 20 weeks in men that were given dutasteride and Testosterone Enanthate, fat-free mass was increased by 0,8-8,1 kg in those who applied placebo and testosterone. As for muscle strength, sexual functions and volume of prostate, they didn’t differ in men of these two groups.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors are applied clinically to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia. These are diseases that usually trouble middle-aged and elderly males.
DHT represents the main metabolite of testosterone. But the function of this metabolite in human development is not is not understood. It is supposed that DHT has relevant role in development of prostate and phallus.
Middle-aged and elder males with low testosterone levels that take testosterone medications have risks related to decreased muscle size and sexual troubles.
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 probably not necessary for effects on muscle mass, strength and sexual life. 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 define whether 5?-reduction to DHT is needed in order to mediate androgen’s effects on muscle mass. Furthermore, the scientist evaluated role of 5?-reduction on sexual activity, hematocrit and levels of lipid.
The study conducted by Bhasin and his colleagues implicated healthy males who were 18- 50 years old and had normal testosterone levels. They were given Testosterone Enanthate and dutasteride or placebo. Doses of Testosterone Enanthate varied from 50 to 600 mg per week.
Since 5 ?-reductase inhibitors enhance testosterone levels, all men were given also gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in order to block natural testosterone.
The results of the study displayed that fat-free mass was enhanced due to administration of testosterone. It didn’t differ significantly in males of these two groups. Muscle power which was also increased due to application of testosterone didn’t differ between the two groups as well. Sexual activity, volume of prostate, sebum production, hemoglobin, acne, hematocrit didn’t differ essentially between those who used placebo and dutasteride.
The specialists state that effectiveness of 5?-reductase inhibitors can be limited in men who have normal or enhanced 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 study has manifested that muscle mass is not affected by 5?-reductase inhibitors.  Males should know that if they have high levels of testosterone or introduce exogenous testosterone in their bodies, 5?-reductase inhibitors will not lead to shrinkage of prostate.

Spain’s police busted huge doping ring that provided banned drugs to athletes that tested positive at 2008 Olympics

A large doping ring was busted by Spain’s police.
 According to reports of police, sportspeople who tested positive at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Vuelta a Espana purchased steroids and other related preparations from this illegal drug ring.
10 individuals that were implicated in this illicit drug ring were arrested. Professional cyclists and other sportspersons had links with this doping network.  It was a famous source of steroids and other related drugs in the world of elite sport.
The investigation was called “Operation Skype”. The physician  Alberto Beltran Nino was the leader of the doping ring. He is a former doctor of Liberty Seguros team. This man was detained and sentenced to imprisonment, when he tried to fly from Madrid to Columbia. Cezar Perez, the former personal trainer of the Spanish runner Marta Dominguez, was also detained by Spain’s police officers.
Although the center of the illegal drug ring was established in Barcelona, it was an international business. The ring was related to Morocco and Columbia. Steroids, HGH and EPO CERA were sold by this illegal drug ring.
The doctor Beltran also worked with Xacobeo-Galicia team. David Garcia, the rider of this team, tested positive for EPO at the 2010 Vuelta.
The investigation started summer last year. It was initially linked with the Spanish runner Jose Luis Blanco after he was banned for two years because of positives for prohibited preparations.