Consumption of caffeine in sports

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) considers that caffeine should belong to banned substances of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The president of the AOC John Coates affirms that caffeine induces addiction to sleeping remedies and tranquillisers.
It is known that the Australian swimmers who competed at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics administered sleeping pills Stilnox. Thus, John Coates confirms that application of caffeine led to usage of Stilnox.
Stilnox is ordinarily sold under the name Zolpidem. It is a sleeping remedy that is indicated to cure insomnia.
John Coates notes that sportspersons use caffeine in order to increase performance. Consumption of this substance leads to insomnia. So, athletes should use sleeping tablets in order to cure insomnia.
 The AOC and Swimming Australia desire to ban consumption of caffeine. It is their response to the disgrace connected with Grant Hackett. A doctor 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 famous 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 prohibited drugs. Anti-doping agencies didn’t conduct tests to disclose usage of this preparation.
But when it comes to caffeine, previously it was prohibited by the WADA. But since it became widely spread and consumed 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 banned medications. He confirmed that caffeine would not be included in the list of prohibited medicines again.
However numerous specialists confirm that caffeine is a performance enhancer, John Fahey contests this argument. He confirms that caffeine doesn’t impact on performance. He concludes that no any scientific literature describes capacity of caffeine to enhance performance.

Some British Olympians are against participation of Dwain Chambers in Olympics

The British track sprinter Dwain Chambers, that successfully served his 2-year suspension for intake of anabolic steroids, was named the representative of Great Britain in the 2012 Summer 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 2012 London Olympics. Several former British Olympians don’t support the steroid user as well.
The runner administered the steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) elaborated by Patrick Arnold. After Don Catlin introduced a method that could disclose application of THG, Dwain Chambers tested positive for this steroid. It was on November 7, 2003.
Undoubtedly, usage of the steroid destroyed 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 the sprinter in the 2012 Olympics. The BOA has introduced the rules which ban steroid users from Olympics for life-time.
Elaborating this rule, the BOA violated the doping code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This case 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 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 stated that Britain should not compromise. He claimed 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 suspensions to participate in Olympics.
The cyclist David Millar and the shot-putter Carl Myerscough that have served their bans for usage of steroids will compete at the 2012 Olympics too.
Despites spending much time to prevent appearing of steroid users at Olympics, the BOA ultimately confirmed that not only Dwain Chambers but also Millar, Myerscough or any other sportsperson that has served a ban successfully may compete at Olympic Games. Andy Hunt, the CEO of the BOA, has claimed that any sportsperson is treated the same way.

How could steroid dealer Mihael Karner avoid extradition to US?

Lately a large steroid chain 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 ring. The USA asked Austrian authorities to extradite this person to the US. But the steroid dealer avoided the extradition successfully. This person gave one million Euros to Austrian authorities that sent him to his native country Slovenia.
Slovenia’s laws differ from Austrian ones. According to the Constitution of this country, it is forbidden to extradite Slovenian citizens to another country. Mihael Karner is a lucky individual. If he had been extradited to the USA, he could be sentenced to 40 years in jail.
Federal prosecutors started the investigation related to this steroid empire in 2005. The steroid ring started to function earlier. Federal prosecutors determined that since 2000 till 2008 the company got 40 million Euros due to illicit distribution of steroids.
Federal prosecutors determined in 2005 that Mihael Karner and his wife were involved in illicit sale of steroids but they couldn’t pursue them because the Karners were in Austria. But later steroid laws in Austria were changed due to suppression by the US. Moreover, the US induced the arrest of Mihael Karner and his wife.
Although the US attempts to enforce other countries of the world to extradite distributors of steroids to the USA, it doesn’t have significant 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 celebrated its victory.
As for Mihael Karner, the USA supposed that the extradition would be successful. That’s why the US was shocked, when it was found that Karner reached Slovenia safely. So, the USA was defeated this time in the war on steroids.

Jonny Spelman refuses to obey his parents

The Secretary for State for Environment Caroline Spelman and her husband put efforts in order to prevent spreading news about her son’s intake of steroids. She spent huge sums of money in courts for this goal. But as you know, anybody could read the news about the youngest British sportsperson that was caught taking prohibited medicines and suspended from rugby. Everybody expected that Jonny Spelman would be thankful to his parents for the efforts to hide the truth. But the situation turned out to be opposite.
Spelman’s son wants to become a well-known professional bodybuilder. He desires to achieve the title of Mr. Olympia.
As for intake of steroids, Jonny Spelman was too open. He wrote about own usage of steroids on Bodybuilding.com and on bodybuilding forums of other web sites. He claimed that he applied Anavar, Dianabol, Winstrol and Testosterone. Jonny Spelman shared own experience and asked for indications about usage of some steroids and stacks. He also asked about ways of having PCT.
Since he wrote about intake 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.
Jonny Spelman notes 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 has to move out, if he wants to be a bodybuilder. But the young athlete has goals and he doesn’t want to leave them. He plans to post workout videos on YouTube and receive money in exchange. Jonny Spelman adds that viewers of YouTube play a significant role in his life because they support his efforts.

Levels of gynoid fat in two groups of lifters: those that use steroids and those who don’t apply them

A precious study was conducted at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University. Scientists studied and defined links between intake of steroids, body fat distribution and several adverse consequences of anabolic steroids. The research has demonstrated that users of steroids can suffer from abnormal fat distribution which may cause heart attacks and other illnesses of cardiovascular system.
The results of the study and conclusions were published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
 10 elite lifters from Sweden were involved in the research. They apply anabolic steroids continuously. Thus, it was studied role of steroids in fat distribution.
It is known that lifters that administer steroids possessing anabolic and androgenic properties have 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 apply steroids having anabolic and androgenic effects. It has been defined that incorrect fat distribution may be a reason for disorders of cardiovascular system.
The lifters who were enrolled in the study were divided into 2 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 research has demonstrated that those who administer steroids have more decreased fat deposits below the waist. So, they have more reduced levels of gynoid fat.
DEXA scanner which is normally utilized to study osteoporosis has been used in order to determine fat distribution in these lifters.

Colin Daynes hoped to get recovery from injury due to steroid use

Colin Daynes, a Canadian wrestler, tested positive for prohibited drugs. Unfortunately, his Olympic dreams will not be real. He was sentenced to 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 obtained a gold medal in the 74-kg weight class.
Colin Daynes tested positive for Drostanolone, Boldenone, Tamoxifen and Furosemide. Every of these drugs is included in the list of prohibited drugs of the World Anti-Doping Agency. When it comes to Drostanolone and Boldenone, they belong to anabolic steroids. Furosemide is a diuretic medication. It is applied as a masking agent for other medicines. Tamoxifen is a preparation which is advised for prevention of negative reactions that appear due to intake of steroids.
The sportsman admitted to usage of banned preparations and accepted the sentence. Colin Daynes claimed that he applied the banned preparations in order to get recovery from an injury. He told to The Star Monday night that he wanted to recover in order to participate in the 2012 Olympic Games. The athlete noticed that a naturopathic physician advised him to take these medications. The wrestler also added that he hadn’t known that the medicines were banned. According to his words, if he had known, he wouldn’t have competed.
Colin Daynes was going to represent Canada at the Olympics again. He represented his country at the 1996 Olympics that took place in Atlanta.
The wrestler didn’t attempt to defense himself. Colin Daynes noticed that there was no any difference whether the banned medicines were found in the blood or not. They were in the system.
Previously Daynes also competed in mixed martial arts. Colin Daynes was going to qualify internationally. The wrestler thought that he would compete at the Olympics in London last time. Then his career comes to the end. But he was banned  because of positives for prohibited drugs.
His personal trainer Bill Hogarth claims that that the things are too bad. But the athlete didn’t desire to lie. Hogarth hopes that the wrestler’s reputation will not be destroyed. During the career Colin Daynes won 62 gold medals, 11 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Is Australian judge really convinced that 1 kg of testosterone may be bought for one person’s personal use?

Carlton Alloysius Hayes, a person from Australia, was accused of possession of almost one kg of Testosterone Propionate. He placed order for powder of this product per internet and acquired it from overseas. This person also wanted to buy benzyl benzoate, a chemical which is used in order to prepare solution for injections from powder. When police officers learnt that this man ordered this chemical, they asked him about purpose of purchasing it. Carlton Alloysius Hayes claimed that he planned to get it for a friend. But he added that he couldn’t remember the name of the friend.
Then Hayes himself contacted policemen and asked them to come to his place. When they 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 prepare liquid for injections.  
Carlton Alloysius Hayes weighed approximately 156 kg, when he was in the court. He claimed that he couldn’t lose weight, however he trained at the gym. Thus, he used steroids to lose weight and improve appearance. This man affirmed that he hadn’t had any plan to sell steroids. He obtained the testosterone powder for personal application.
A defense attorney for Hayes confirmed that his client had a good reputation. He always worked hardly.
 However he had to be sentenced to prison because he bought steroids from overseas, the judge’s decision was to sentence him to some months of suspended jail. Thus, this person avoided imprisonment.

Fight against illegal manufacture and sale of steroids in Poland

An illegal group that produced and sold anabolic steroids was busted by Poland’s police officers. More than 90 policemen and frontier police were involved in the investigation connected with this illegal company. Customers were chiefly from North America. Police officers detained 19 individuals: 6 women and 13 men. They were charged with illegal manufacture and sale of steroids and money laundering.
Investigators defined that the drug ring was dealing with steroids since March 2008. The group advertised steroids for obtaining of muscle mass and health in general. The preparations were offered for sale on internet. Persons from the USA, Canada, France, Belgium, etc. ordered and got illegal preparations.  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 company.
Homes and business offices of the group were raided. Police found huge doses of steroids and packages that were prepared to be shipped abroad. Some 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 determined by police that three persons represented the leadership of the illegal group. They face 15 years in jail.
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 took part in that investigation. Police also identified medicines which were sold by that group.

New findings can change attitude to 5-alpha reductase inhibitors

According to a trial, treatment with dutasteride (Avodart), a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, doesn’t influence negatively on muscle mass in healthy men who apply testosterone.
A study linked with this issue was performed. While fat-free mass was increased by 0,6-7,1 kg during 20 weeks in males that took dutasteride and Testosterone Enanthate, fat-free mass was increased by 0,8-8,1 kg in those who were given placebo and testosterone. As for muscle power, sexual functions and volume of prostate, they didn’t differ in men of these 2 groups.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors are utilized clinically to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia. These are disorders that usually affect middle-aged and elderly men.
DHT represents the chief metabolite of testosterone. But the role of DHT in human development is not is not understood. It is supposed that DHT has vital role in development of prostate and phallus.
Middle-aged and elder men with low testosterone levels who apply testosterone products have risks related to reduced muscle size and sexual problems.
Specialists also put efforts to develop nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). It is affirmed that SARMs and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are safe because DHT is supposedly not necessary for effects on fat-free mass, strength and sexual life. It is also doubted whether DHT has any role for androgen’s effects on hematocrit, hemoglobin, lipids and certain 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. Moreover, the experts 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 administered Testosterone Enanthate and dutasteride or placebo. Quantities of Testosterone Enanthate varied from 50 to 600 mg per week.
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 enhanced due to intake of testosterone. It didn’t differ significantly in men of these 2 groups. Muscle power that 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 substantially between those who were given placebo and dutasteride.
The specialists conclude that effectiveness of 5?-reductase inhibitors can be limited in men who have normal or increased levels of testosterone. That’s why it is necessary to measure levels of testosterone in order to determine how bodies will respond to 5 ?-reductase inhibitors.
So, the research has demonstrated that muscle mass is not affected by 5?-reductase inhibitors.  Men have to know that if they have high levels of testosterone or introduce exogenous testosterone in their bodies, 5?-reductase inhibitors will not cause shrunken prostate.

Leader of international drug ring that was busted by Spain’s police was Dr. Alberto Beltran Nino

Spain’s national police busted a huge illegal drug ring.
 According to affirmations of police officers, athletes that tested positive at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Vuelta a Espana got steroids and other related medications from this illicit drug ring.
10 persons that were implicated in this doping ring were arrested. Professional cyclists and other sportspersons had relations with this illegal drug network.  It represented a prominent source of steroids and other related preparations in the world of top athletes.
The investigation was nicknamed “Operation Skype”. The physician  Alberto Beltran Nino was the leader of the doping chain. He is a former doctor of Liberty Seguros team. This person was detained and sentenced to imprisonment, 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 business. The ring was related to Morocco and Columbia. Steroids, HGH and EPO CERA were distributed by this illicit drug ring.
Dr. 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 originally related to the Spanish runner Jose Luis Blanco after he was sentenced to 2-year ban because of positives for prohibited products.