WADA president: there is no any plan to include caffeine in list of prohibited products

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) confirms that caffeine should be included in prohibited medicines of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The president of the AOC John Coates notices that caffeine induces addiction to sleeping remedies and tranquilizers.
It is known that the Australian swimmers who competed at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics applied sleeping tablets Stilnox. Thus, John Coates claims that usage of caffeine led to usage of Stilnox.
Stilnox is usually sold under the name Zolpidem. It is a sleeping remedy that is recommended to treat insomnia.
Coates confirms that sportspersons take caffeine for increase of performance. Usage of this substance causes insomnia. Thus, athletes have to apply sleeping tablets for treatment of insomnia.
 The AOC and Swimming Australia want to ban usage of caffeine. It is their response to the disgrace related to Grant Hackett. A doctor recommended administering 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 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 claimed that administration of Stilnox is widely spread among Australian swimmers.
Stilnox was never on the list of banned products. Anti-doping agencies didn’t conduct tests to disclose intake of this medicine.
But as for caffeine, previously it was banned by the WADA. But since it became widely spread and consumed in society, it was excluded from the list of prohibited products.
John Fahey, the president of the WADA, notices that the WADA made the right decision and excluded caffeine from list of forbidden medications. He confirmed that caffeine would not be included in the list of prohibited medications again.
However numerous specialists state that caffeine is a performance enhancer, John Fahey contests this argument. He confirms that caffeine doesn’t impact on performance. The president of the WADA concludes that no any scientific literature describes ability of caffeine to increase performance.

Dwain Chambers has full support of BOA

The runner Dwain Chambers, that successfully served his 2-year ban for usage of anabolic steroids, was chosen to be the representative of Great Britain in the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Chambers worries about the way to represent the home country. When it comes to the British Olympic Association (BOA), they don’t want to see him participating in the 2012 Summer Olympics. Several former British Olympians don’t support the steroid user as well.
Dwain Chambers took the steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) elaborated by Patrick Arnold. After Don Catlin elaborated a method which could disclose intake of THG, Chambers tested positive for this steroid. It was on November 7, 2003.
Undoubtedly, intake of the steroid spoiled his reputation. When he tried to come back to professional sports, the BOA made the decision to change the laws in order to prevent appearing of Dwain Chambers in the 2012 London Olympics. The BOA has established the rules that suspend steroid users from Olympics for the whole life.
Introducing this rule, the BOA violated the doping code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This factor resulted in numerous disputes and news.
The case was even presented in the Court of Arbitration for Sports. Loyd Moynihan, the chairman of the BOA, put significant 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 claimed that Britain should not compromise. He noticed 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. Chambers was allowed to be the representative of Britain at the 2012 Olympics. This case turned out to be an open door for other athletes that have served their bans to participate in Olympics.
The cyclist David Millar and the shot-putter Carl Myerscough that have served their suspensions for usage of steroids will compete at the 2012 London Olympics too.
Despites wasting much time to prevent appearing of steroid users at Olympic Games, the BOA finally claimed that not only Dwain Chambers but also Millar, Myerscough or any other athlete that has served a ban 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 refused to extradite steroid dealer to US

Lately a large steroid empire was busted in Austria. It was determined that this company received 40 million Euros due to illicit distribution of steroids. Mihael Karner was identified as the leader of the steroid ring. The USA asked Austrian authorities to extradite this steroid dealer to the US. But Mihael Karner avoided the extradition successfully. This person 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 Slovenians to another country. Mihael Karner is a lucky man. If he had not avoided the extradition to the USA, he could be sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Federal prosecutors began the investigation linked with this drug ring in 2005. The steroid empire began to function earlier. Federal prosecutors learnt that since 2000 till 2008 the company got 40 million Euros due to illegal sale of steroids.
Federal prosecutors learnt in 2005 that Mihael Karner and his wife were involved in illegal sale of steroids but they couldn’t prosecute them because the Karners were in Austria. But later steroid laws in Austria were changed due to suppression by the US. Furthermore, the US promoted the arrest of Mihael Karner and his wife.
Although the US puts efforts to enforce other countries of the world to extradite steroid dealers to the USA, it doesn’t have great success in this area. But the persons who were involved in “Musclebear” and “British Dragon” were extradited from Cyprus and Thailand to the USA. That time the US celebrated its victory.
As for Mihael Karner, the USA supposed that the extradition would be successful. That’s why it was a real shock for the US, when it was learnt that Karner arrived to Slovenia safely. Thus, the USA was defeated this time in the struggle against steroids.

Jonny Spelman doesn’t want to leave his dreams to become professional bodybuilder

Mrs. Spelman and her husband put efforts in order to prevent publishing news about her son’s steroid use. 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 that was caught administering prohibited preparations and suspended from rugby. Everyone expected that Jonny Spelman would be thankful to his parents for the efforts to hide the truth. But the teenager’s attitude turned out to be opposite.
The teenager desires to become a well-known 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 administration of steroids on Bodybuilding.com and on bodybuilding forums of other web sites. He noted that he applied Anavar, Dianabol, Winstrol and Testosterone. Spelman’s son shared own experience and asked for instructions about intake of several steroids and stacks. Jonny Spelman 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 his school room. As a result, drug paraphernalia was discovered.
The young sportsperson claims that although his parents are rich, they don’t desire to support financially his efforts to be a professional bodybuilder. They have told him that he should move out, if he wants to be a bodybuilder. But the young athlete has goals and he doesn’t want to leave them. He intends to host workout videos on YouTube and receive money in exchange. The young athlete adds that viewers of YouTube play a significant role in his life because they help him to become a bodybuilder.

Swedish scientists explain why steroids cause cardiovascular diseases

Recently some experts at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University conducted a valuable research. Scientists studied and determined relations between usage of steroids, body fat distribution and some side reactions of anabolic steroids. The research has displayed that users of steroids can experience abnormal fat distribution that may cause heart attacks and other diseases of cardiovascular system.
The results of the study and conclusions are published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
 10 elite lifters from Sweden were involved in the research. They apply anabolic steroids continuously. So, it was studied role of steroids in body fat distribution.
It is stated that lifters that administer steroids possessing anabolic and androgenic properties face risks experiencing 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 possessing anabolic and androgenic properties. It has been seen that unhealthy fat distribution may be a reason for cardiovascular diseases.
The lifters that were enrolled in the research were divided into two groups. Body fat distribution was studied in all lifters. The lifters of one group applied anabolic steroids. The lifters of the other group didn’t apply steroids.
The study has manifested that those who apply steroids have lower fat deposits below the waist. Thus, they have more reduced levels of gynoid fat.
DEXA scanner that is usually applied to study osteoporosis has been used in order to measure fat distribution during the research.

Colin Daynes’ wrestling career ends with serving ban

Colin Daynes, a Canadian wrestler, tested positive for prohibited drugs. His Olympic dreams will not become real. He was sentenced to 2-year ban.
Last year the sportsman was chosen for the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame.
 The wrestler was banned by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports. 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. Every of these products is included in the list of prohibited preparations of the World Anti-Doping Agency. When it comes to Drostanolone and Boldenone, they belong to anabolic steroids. Furosemide represents a diuretic product. It is utilized as a masking agent for other medications. Tamoxifen is a preparation that is recommended for prevention of unwanted effects that appear due to usage of steroids.
The wrestler admitted to usage of prohibited medications and accepted the sentence. The athlete affirmed that he applied the forbidden preparations to receive recovery from an injury. Colin Daynes told to The Star Monday night that he wanted to recover in order to be able to participate in the 2012 Olympics. Colin Daynes noted that a naturopathic physician advised to use these drugs. The wrestler also added that he hadn’t known that the medicines were banned. According to his statements, if he had known, he wouldn’t have competed.
The wrestler wanted to represent Canada at the Olympics again. He represented his country at the 1996 Olympics which took place in Atlanta.
Daynes didn’t try to defense himself. The athlete noticed that there was no any difference whether the forbidden medicines were found in the blood or not. They were in the system.
Earlier Daynes also competed in mixed martial arts. He was going to qualify internationally. The wrestler hoped that he would compete at the 2012 Olympics last time. Then his career comes to the end. But he was banned  because of positives for forbidden products.
Bill Hogarth,
Colin Daynes’ coach notices that that the things are too bad. But the athlete didn’t desire to cheat. Hogarth hopes that Daynes’ reputation will not be destroyed. During the career the athlete won 62 gold medals, 11 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Australians buy large amounts of steroids for self-administration

Carlton Alloysius Hayes, a person from Australia, was charged with possession of almost one kg of Testosterone Propionate. He placed order for powder of this preparation per internet and got it from overseas. This man also desired to buy benzyl benzoate, a chemical that is used for preparing of solution 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 said that he intended to buy it for a friend. But he noticed that he had forgotten the name of the friend.
Then Hayes himself contacted police officers and asked them to come to his place. When police officers came, Carlton Alloysius Hayes showed that he had two bags of white powder. He also acknowledged that he had ordered benzyl benzoate in order to mix it with the powder and prepare solution for injections.  
Carlton Alloysius Hayes weighed about 156 kg, when he was in the court. He confirmed that he couldn’t lose weight, although he trained at the gym. Thus, he used steroids to lose weight and improve appearance. This man noted that he hadn’t had any plan to sell steroids. He purchased the testosterone powder for self-administration.
A defense attorney for Carlton Alloysius Hayes claimed that his client had a good reputation. He always worked hardly.
 Although he had to be sentenced to prison because he bought steroids from overseas, the judge’s decision was to give him certain months of suspended jail. So, he escaped from imprisonment.

19 persons implicated in illegal drug trade were arrested by Polish police

A criminal group that was dealing with manufacture and sale of anabolic steroids was busted by Poland’s police. Over 90 police officers and frontier guard were involved in the investigation related to this illegal steroid ring. Customers were mainly from North America. Police detained 19 persons: 6 women and 13 men. They were accused of illicit 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 obtaining of muscle mass and health in general. The preparations were offered for sale per internet. Individuals from the USA, Canada, France, Belgium, etc. ordered and acquired illegal preparations.  Steroids were packed in fake packages and sent to customers. There was a person that was responsible for getting money and transferring it to members of the drug ring.
Homes and business offices of the group were raided. Police officers found huge doses of steroids and packages that were prepared for shipment 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 about 1 million Polish zlotys.
 It was defined by police that 3 individuals were leaders of the drug ring. They face 15 years in jail.
This investigation conducted by Polish police officers was successful. It was not the first successful steroid investigation in Poland. Last year Polish police officers busted another illicit steroid ring. 7 persons were detained. About 80 police officers took part in that investigation. Police also reported about medicines which were found in possession of that group.

Specialists have studied connections between dutasteride and anabolic effects of testosterone

According to a trial, treatment with dutasteride (Avodart), a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, doesn’t affect muscle mass in healthy men that take testosterone.
A study 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 that were given placebo and testosterone. As for muscle strength, sexual functions and volume of prostate, they didn’t differ in males of these two groups.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors are used clinically for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia. These are diseases which usually occur in middle-aged and old males.
DHT represents the main metabolite of testosterone. But the role of DHT in human development is not studied well. It is supposed that DHT has relevant role in development of prostate and phallus.
Middle-aged and elder men with reduced testosterone levels who use testosterone products have risks related to decreased muscle size and sexual problems.
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, muscle power 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 performed a clinical trial in order to define whether 5?-reduction to DHT is required in order to mediate androgen’s effects on muscle mass. Moreover, the specialists evaluated role of 5?-reduction on sexual functions, hematocrit and levels of lipid.
The research conducted by Bhasin and his colleagues implicated healthy men that 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 increase testosterone levels, 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 increased due to application of testosterone. It didn’t differ substantially in men of these 2 groups. Muscle power that was also enhanced due to usage 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 administered placebo and dutasteride.
The specialists state that effectiveness of 5?-reductase inhibitors may be limited in males that have normal or high testosterone levels. That’s why it is important to check levels of testosterone in order to determine how bodies will respond to 5 ?-reductase inhibitors.
So, the research has shown that muscle mass is not affected by 5?-reductase inhibitors.  Men should know that if they have high testosterone levels or introduce exogenous testosterone in their bodies, 5?-reductase inhibitors will not cause shrunken prostate.

Operation Skype turned out to be successful

Spain’s police busted a large doping ring.
According to statements of police officers, sportspersons that tested positive at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Vuelta a Espana got steroids and other related drugs from this illicit drug ring.
10 persons who were implicated in this illicit drug ring were arrested. Professional cyclists and other athletes had relations with this doping network.  It was a famous doping ring in the world of elite sport.
The investigation was codenamed “Operation Skype”. The physician  Alberto Beltran Nino was the leader of the drug chain. He is a former physician of Liberty Seguros team. He was arrested and sentenced to prison, when he tried to fly from Madrid to Columbia. Cezar Perez, the former personal trainer of the champion Marta Dominguez, was also arrested by Spain’s police officers.
However the center of the drug ring was established in Barcelona, it was an international company. The ring had contacts in Morocco and Columbia. Steroids, HGH and EPO CERA were offered for sale by this illegal drug ring.
Dr. Beltran also worked with Xacobeo-Galicia team. David Garcia, the road bicycle racer of this team, tested positive for EPO at the 2010 Vuelta.
The investigation began summer last year. It was initially linked with the Spanish runner Jose Luis Blanco after he was sentenced to 2-year ban due to positives for forbidden medications.