WADA: caffeine doesn’t have ability to increase performance

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) confirms that caffeine should be included in banned drugs 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 that participated at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games used sleeping tablets Stilnox. So, Coates claims that administration of caffeine led to intake of Stilnox.
Stilnox is ordinarily sold under the name Zolpidem. It is a sleeping remedy that is administered to cure insomnia.
Coates notices that athletes take caffeine for enhancement of performance. Usage of this substance leads to insomnia. Thus, sportspersons should take sleeping pills in order to cure insomnia.
 The AOC and Swimming Australia desire to prohibit usage of caffeine. It is their response to the disgraceful case linked with Grant Hackett. A physician recommended administering 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 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 claimed that intake 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 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 banned drugs.
John Fahey, the president of the WADA, notices that the WADA made the right decision and excluded caffeine from list of prohibited drugs. He claimed that caffeine would not be included in the list of forbidden medications again.
Although a lot of specialists state that caffeine is a performance enhancer, John Fahey contests this statement. He confirms that caffeine doesn’t influence on performance. He concludes that no any scientific literature describes ability of caffeine to increase performance.

BOA changed laws in order to keep Dwain Chambers out of Olympics

The runner Dwain Chambers, that successfully served his 2-year ban for usage of anabolic steroids, was named the representative of Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics.
Chambers worries about the way to represent the home country. As for 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 consumer of steroids as well.
Dwain Chambers applied the steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) elaborated by Patrick Arnold. After Don Catlin developed a method which could disclose administration of THG, the sprinter tested positive for this steroid. It was on November 7, 2003.
Of course, application 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 established the rules that ban steroid users from Olympics for the whole life.
Establishing this rule, the BOA violated the doping code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This factor led to many disputes and news.
The case was even examined in the Court of Arbitration for Sports. The chairman of the BOA Loyd Moynihan 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 wrote that Britain should not compromise. He claimed 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. 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 bans to participate in Olympics.
The cyclist David Millar and the shot-putter Carl Myerscough that have served their suspensions for administration of steroids will compete at the 2012 London Olympics too.
Despites spending much time to prevent appearing of steroid users at Olympics, the BOA finally confirmed that not only the sprinter Dwain 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 claimed that any athlete is treated the same way.

Slovenian steroid dealer paid one million Euros to arrive to own country and avoid extradition to US

Lately a large steroid empire was busted in Austria. It was defined that this company received 40 million Euros due to illegal distribution of steroids. Mihael Karner was claimed to be the leader of the drug ring. The USA asked Austrian authorities to extradite this steroid dealer to the US. But the steroid dealer wasn’t extradited. This person paid one million Euros to Austrian authorities that sent him to his native country Slovenia.
Slovenia’s laws are not the same as Austrian’s ones. According to the Slovenian Constitution, it is forbidden to extradite Slovenians to another country. Mihael Karner is a lucky man. If he had been extradited to the USA, he could be sentenced to 40-year imprisonment.
Federal prosecutors began the investigation related to this drug ring 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 illegal distribution of steroids.
Federal prosecutors defined in 2005 that Mihael Karner and his wife were implicated 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.
Although the US tries 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 those that 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 thought that the extradition would be successful. That’s why it was a real shock for the US, when it was learnt that Karner reached Slovenia safely. Thus, the USA was defeated this time in the struggle against steroids.

However Jonny Spelman’s parents refuse to support his efforts to become professional bodybuilder, he doesn’t leave his dreams

Caroline Spelman and her husband tried to prevent publishing news about her son’s usage of steroids. She spent huge sums of money in courts for this need. But as you know, anyone could read the news about the youngest British sportsman who was caught applying steroids and suspended from rugby. Anyone expected that Jonny Spelman would thank his parents for the efforts to hide the truth. But the teenager’s attitude turned out to be opposite.
The teenager wants to become a well-known professional bodybuilder. He wants to win the title of Mr. Olympia.
As for steroid use, Jonny Spelman was too open. He wrote about own usage of steroids on Bodybuilding.com and on bodybuilding forums of other web sites. He noticed that he administered Anavar, Dianabol, Winstrol and Testosterone. Spelman’s son shared own experience and asked for recommendations about intake of several steroids and combinations. The teenager also asked about ways of being on PCT.
Since he wrote about steroid use openly, administrators of Bodybuilding.com banned him. It caused the search of his school room. As a result, drug paraphernalia was discovered.
Jonny Spelman notices that although his parents are rich, they don’t desire to support financially his efforts to become a professional bodybuilder. They have told him that he should move out, if he wants to be a bodybuilder. But the teenager has goals and he doesn’t want to leave them. He plans to post workout videos on YouTube and get money in exchange. He concludes that viewers of YouTube play a great role in his life because they help him to become a bodybuilder.

Swedish study: steroids cause unhealthy body fat distribution

Recently some experts at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University conducted a valuable research. Scientists studied and defined links between steroid use, body fat distribution and some unwanted results of anabolic steroids. The study has displayed that consumers of steroids can experience abnormal fat distribution that may lead to heart attacks and other problems related to cardiovascular system.
The results of the research and conclusions were published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
 Ten top lifters from Sweden were involved in the research. They take anabolic steroids regularly. So, it was studied role of steroids in body fat distribution.
It is stated that lifters that take anabolic-androgenic steroids have risks suffering from heart attacks. The specialists at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University have studied how body fat is distributed in lifters who apply steroids having anabolic and androgenic properties. It has been seen that incorrect fat distribution can be a reason for dysfunctions of cardiovascular system.
The lifters that were implicated in the study were divided into 2 groups. Fat distribution was studied in lifters of the two groups. The lifters of one group administered anabolic steroids. The lifters of another group didn’t administer steroids.
The study has manifested that those that use steroids have lower fat deposits below the waist. Thus, they have lower levels of gynoid fat.
DEXA scanner that is commonly applied to study osteoporosis has been used in order to determine fat distribution by the specialists of the study.

Colin Daynes admitted to usage of prohibited medicines

The Canadian wrestler Colin Daynes failed a test for banned products. It means that he will not compete at the Summer Olympics. He was sentenced to 2-year ban.
Last year the athlete 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 division.
The athlete tested positive for Drostanolone, Boldenone, Tamoxifen and Furosemide. Every of these preparations is in the list of forbidden drugs of the World Anti-Doping Agency. When it comes to Drostanolone and Boldenone, they belong to anabolic steroids. Furosemide is a diuretic preparation. It is used as a masking agent for other medications. Tamoxifen is a medicine that is recommended for prevention of unwanted reactions that occur due to application of steroids.
The sportsman admitted to application of prohibited drugs and accepted the sentence. He affirmed that he applied the banned medicines to receive recovery from an injury. He told to The Star Monday night that he desired to recover in order to participate in the 2012 Olympic Games. The athlete noticed that a naturopathic doctor advised him to take these medications. He also added that he hadn’t known that the products were forbidden. According to his affirmations, if he had known, he wouldn’t have participated in competitions.
The wrestler was going to represent Canada at the Olympics again. The wrestler represented his country at the 1996 Olympics that were in Atlanta.
The wrestler didn’t try to defense himself. The wrestler noticed that there was no any difference whether the forbidden preparations were found in the blood or not. They presented in the system.
Earlier Daynes also competed in mixed martial arts. Colin Daynes had to qualify internationally. Colin Daynes thought that he would compete at the Olympics in London last time. Then his career comes to the end. But he was sentenced to ban due to positives for banned preparations.
His personal trainer Bill Hogarth claims that that the things are too bad. But the athlete didn’t desire 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 bought 1 kg of testosterone from overseas for personal application

Carlton Alloysius Hayes, a person from Australia, was caught possessing almost a kg of Testosterone Propionate. He ordered powder of this medication via internet and got it from overseas. This person also wanted to purchase benzyl benzoate, a chemical which is used 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 confirmed that he planned to get 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 admitted that he had ordered benzyl benzoate in order to mix it with the powder and prepare solution for injections.  
Hayes weighed approximately 156 kg, when the court took place. He noted that he couldn’t lose weight, although he trained at the gym. Thus, he applied steroids to lose weight and improve appearance. This person added that he hadn’t had any desire to sell steroids. He bought the testosterone powder for personal usage.
A defense attorney for Carlton Alloysius Hayes confirmed that his client had a good reputation. He was ever a hard worker.
 However he had to be sentenced to prison because he got steroids from overseas, the judge’s decision was to give him several months of suspended jail. So, this man escaped from imprisonment.

90 Poland’s police officers were involved in steroid investigation

A criminal group that manufactured and offered for sale anabolic steroids was busted in Poland. Over 90 policemen and border police were implicated in the investigation related to this illegal drug ring. Customers were chiefly from North America. Police officers detained 19 persons: 6 women and 13 men. They were charged with illicit manufacture and distribution of steroids and money laundering.
Investigators set that the drug ring was dealing with steroids since March 2008. The drug ring advertised steroids for obtaining of muscle mass and well-being in general. The medications were offered for sale on internet. Individuals from the USA, Canada, France, Belgium, etc. placed orders and got illegal medications.  Steroids were packed in fake packages and sent to customers. There was a member of the group who was responsible for receiving money and transferring it to members of the company.
Homes and business offices of the steroid ring were raided. Police found huge measures 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 objects were seized. The total value of confiscated objects and money was estimated. It was about 1 million Polish zlotys.
 It was determined by police that three individuals represented the leadership of the criminal group. They face 15 years in prison.
This investigation conducted by Polish police was successful. It was not the first successful steroid investigation in this country. Last year police of this country busted another illegal steroid ring. 7 persons were detained. About 80 police officers participated in that investigation. Police officers also identified drugs which were offered for sale by that drug ring.

5-alpha reductase inhibitors don’t hinder anabolic effects caused due to testosterone use

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 linked with this issue was performed. While fat-free mass was increased by 0,6-7,1 kg during 20 weeks in men who took dutasteride and Testosterone Enanthate, fat-free mass was enhanced 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 males of these 2 groups.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors are used clinically for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia. These are dysfunctions that usually trouble middle-aged and elderly males.
DHT represents the main metabolite of testosterone. But the role of this metabolite in human development is not is not understood. It is supposed that DHT plays vital role in development of prostate and phallus.
Middle-aged and elder males with reduced testosterone levels who take testosterone drugs have risks linked with decreased muscle mass and sexual problems.
Scientists also study and develop nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). It is confirmed that SARMs and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are safe because DHT is probably not necessary for effects on muscle mass, muscle power and sexual activity. It is also doubted whether DHT has any role for androgen’s effects on hematocrit, hemoglobin, lipids and some 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 needed in order to mediate androgen’s effects on muscle mass. Moreover, the specialists evaluated role of 5?-reduction on sexual activity, hematocrit and levels of lipid.
The research conducted by Bhasin and his colleagues involved healthy men that were 18- 50 years old and had normal levels of testosterone. They took Testosterone Enanthate and dutasteride or placebo. Doses 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 research displayed that fat-free mass was enhanced due to usage of testosterone. It didn’t differ essentially in males of these two groups. Muscle strength that was also increased due to testosterone use didn’t differ between the two groups too. Sexual functions, prostate volume, sebum production, hemoglobin, acne, hematocrit didn’t differ substantially between those who used placebo and dutasteride.
The experts affirm that effectiveness of 5?-reductase inhibitors can be limited in men that have normal or high testosterone levels. That’s why it is necessary to check testosterone levels in order to determine how bodies will respond to 5 ?-reductase inhibitors.
So, the research has manifested that muscle mass is not affected by 5?-reductase inhibitors.  Men have to know that if they have enhanced levels of testosterone or introduce exogenous testosterone in their bodies, 5?-reductase inhibitors will not cause shrunken prostate.

10 persons related to huge doping ring were detained in Spain

Spain’s national police busted a huge illegal drug ring.
According to statements of police officers, sportspeople that tested positive at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Vuelta a Espana bought steroids and other related preparations from this doping ring.
10 individuals that were implicated in this illicit drug ring were arrested. Professional cyclists and other sportspersons had relations with this illicit drug network.  It was a prominent doping ring in the world of elite sport.
The investigation was named “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 flee from Madrid to Columbia. Cezar Perez, the former personal trainer of the champion Marta Dominguez, was also detained by Spain’s police.
However the center of the doping ring was established in Barcelona, it was an international company. The ring was linked with Morocco and Columbia. Steroids, HGH and EPO CERA were sold 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 linked with the runner Jose Luis Blanco after he was banned for two years because of positives for prohibited drugs.