WADA president: there is no scientific support about effects of caffeine on performance

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) claims that caffeine should be included in forbidden medicines of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The president of the AOC John Coates notes that caffeine promotes addiction to sleeping pills and tranquillisers.
It is known that the Australian swimmers who took part at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games took sleeping tablets Stilnox. Thus, John Coates notes that administration of caffeine led to intake of Stilnox.
Stilnox is ordinarily sold under the trade name Zolpidem. It is a sleeping remedy which is recommended to cure insomnia.
John Coates confirms that sportspersons use caffeine for enhancement of performance. Usage of this substance causes insomnia. Thus, sportspersons should take sleeping pills in order to cure insomnia.
 The AOC and Swimming Australia want to prohibit usage of caffeine. It is their response to the disgrace linked with Grant Hackett. A physician recommended administering Stilnox to this athlete 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 claimed that usage 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 discover intake of this drug.
But when it comes to caffeine, earlier it was prohibited by the WADA. But since it became widely spread and consumed in society, it was excluded from the list of banned medications.
John Fahey, the president of the WADA, confirms that the WADA made the right decision and excluded caffeine from list of prohibited medications. He claimed that caffeine would not be included in the list of prohibited drugs again.
Although many 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 enhance performance.

Finally BOA supports Dwain Chambers

The British runner Dwain Chambers, that successfully served his 2-year suspension for intake of anabolic steroids, was chosen to be the representative of Great Britain in the 2012 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 Olympics. Some former British Olympians don’t support the steroid user as well.
Dwain Chambers used the steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) elaborated by Patrick Arnold. After Don Catlin developed a method that could disclose intake of THG, Chambers tested positive for this steroid. It was on November 7, 2003.
Undoubtedly, intake 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 that 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 case led to numerous disputes and news.
The case was even examined in the Court of Arbitration for Sports. The chairman of the BOA Loyd Moynihan put essential 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 wrote 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. Chambers was allowed to be the representative of Britain at the 2012 Olympics. This aspect turned out to be an open door for other sportspersons that have served their suspensions to take part in Olympics.
The cyclist David Millar and the shot-putter Carl Myerscough that have served their suspensions for steroid use will compete at the 2012 London Olympics too.
Despites spending much time to prevent appearing of steroid users at Olympic Games, the BOA finally confirmed that not only the sprinter Dwain chambers but also Millar, Myerscough or any other sportsperson 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.

US rarely has success, when it comes to extradition of steroid dealers

Lately a large steroid empire was busted in Austria. It was determined that this company got 40 million Euros due to illicit sale 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 he wasn’t extradited. Mihael Karner 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 Slovenian Constitution, it is prohibited to extradite Slovenian citizens to another country. Mihael Karner is a lucky person. If he had not avoided the extradition to the USA, he could be sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Federal prosecutors began the investigation connected with this steroid empire in 2005. The steroid empire began to function earlier. Federal prosecutors defined 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 illicit 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. Moreover, the US induced the arrest of Mihael Karner and his wife.
Although the US puts efforts to enforce European countries and other countries of the world to extradite steroid dealers to the USA, it doesn’t have significant 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 celebrated its victory.
As for Mihael Karner, the USA believed that he would be extradited. 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.

YouTube viewers help Jonny Spelman to become professional bodybuilder

The Secretary for State for Environment Caroline Spelman and her husband did a lot in order to prevent publishing news about her son’s application of steroids. She spent huge sums of money in courts for this need. But as you know, any person could read the news about the youngest British sportsperson that was caught administering forbidden medicines and banned from rugby. Anyone expected that Jonny Spelman would thank his parents for the efforts to prevent publishing news about him. But the teenager’s attitude turned out to be opposite.
The teenager desires to become a celebrated professional bodybuilder. He intends to get the title of Mr. Olympia.
As for administration of steroids, Jonny Spelman was very open. He wrote about own steroid use on Bodybuilding.com and on bodybuilding forums of other sites. He claimed that he applied Anavar, Dianabol, Winstrol and Testosterone. The teenager shared own experience and asked for recommendations about usage of some steroids and stacks. The teenager 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 Jonny’s school room. As a result, drug paraphernalia was discovered.
Jonny Spelman notes that however his parents are rich, they don’t want to support financially his efforts to be a professional bodybuilder. They have said him that he has to move out, if he decides 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 receive 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 scientists have studied how steroid use influences on body fat distribution

A valuable research was conducted at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University. Specialists studied and determined links between intake of steroids, body fat distribution and certain side reactions of anabolic steroids. The study has demonstrated that users of steroids can experience abnormal fat distribution which 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 enrolled in the study. They apply anabolic steroids regularly. Thus, it was studied function of steroids in body fat distribution.
It is known that lifters who use anabolic-androgenic steroids face risks suffering from heart attacks. The experts at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University have studied how body fat is distributed in lifters who apply steroids possessing anabolic and androgenic properties. It has been determined that incorrect fat distribution can be a reason for diseases of cardiovascular system.
The lifters that were involved in the research were divided into two groups. Body fat distribution was studied in lifters of the two groups. The lifters of one group used anabolic steroids. The lifters of the other group didn’t take steroids.
The research has manifested that those that take steroids have more reduced fat deposits below the waist. Thus, they have lower levels of gynoid fat.
DEXA scanner which is normally utilized to study osteoporosis has been utilized in order to measure fat distribution by the specialists of the study.

Colin Daynes’ trainer hopes that this wrestler’s career will not be destroyed

Colin Daynes, a Canadian wrestler, tested positive for banned 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 got a gold medal in the 74-kg division.
The wrestler tested positive for Drostanolone, Boldenone, Tamoxifen and Furosemide. Every of these medications is in the list of banned preparations of the World Anti-Doping Agency. When it comes to Drostanolone and Boldenone, they are anabolic steroids. Furosemide is a diuretic preparation. It is taken as a masking agent for other preparations. Tamoxifen is a product that is advised for prevention of negative results that occur due to steroid use.
Colin Daynes admitted to application of forbidden medications and accepted the sentence. Colin Daynes claimed that he took the prohibited medicines in order to get recovery from an injury. Colin Daynes told to The Star Monday night that he desired to recover in order to be able to participate in the 2012 Olympic Games. The wrestler noticed that a naturopathic physician advised him to take these preparations. The athlete also added that he hadn’t known that the drugs were banned. According to his words, if he had known, he wouldn’t have competed.
Colin Daynes desired to represent Canada at the Olympics again. He represented his country at the 1996 Olympics that took place in Atlanta.
The wrestler didn’t put efforts to defense himself. He noted that there was no any difference whether the forbidden products were found in the blood or not. They presented in the system.
Previously this athlete also competed in mixed martial arts. He had to qualify internationally. The wrestler hoped that he would compete at the Olympic Games in London last time. Then the wrestler’s career ends. But he was sentenced to ban because of positives for forbidden drugs.
Bill Hogarth, Colin Daynes’ personal trainer, notes 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 his career he obtained 62 gold medals, 11 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Australian man that weighed 156 kg bought 1 kg of testosterone for personal intake

Carlton Alloysius Hayes, an Australian man, was caught possessing almost one kg of Testosterone Propionate. He placed order for powder of this medicine via internet and got it from overseas. This person also desired to buy benzyl benzoate, a chemical which is used in order to prepare 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 get it for a friend. But he noticed that he had forgotten 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 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.  
Hayes weighed approximately 156 kg, when the court took place. He confirmed that he couldn’t lose weight, although he trained at the gym. Thus, he administered steroids to lose weight and look better. This person added that he hadn’t had any intention to sell steroids. He purchased the testosterone powder for personal administration.
A defense attorney for Hayes confirmed that his client had a good reputation. He was ever a hard worker.
 Although he had to be sentenced to imprisonment because he bought steroids from overseas, the judge’s decision was to give him certain months of suspended jail. So, he avoided prison.

Polish police detained 19 persons involved in illegal distribution of steroids

A criminal group that was dealing with manufacture and sale of anabolic steroids was busted in Poland. More than 90 police officers and frontier guard were involved in the investigation related to this illegal business. Customers were chiefly 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 set that the group was dealing with steroids since March 2008. The company advertised steroids for enhancement 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 acquired illegal products.  Steroids were packed in fake packages and sent to customers. There was a person who was responsible for getting money and transferring it to members of the drug ring.
Homes and business offices of the group were raided. Police found large quantities of steroids and packages which 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 seized objects and money was estimated. It was circa 1 million Polish zlotys.
 It was set by investigators that 3 persons composed the leadership of the criminal group. They face 15 years in prison.
This investigation conducted by Polish police officers was successful. It was not the first successful steroid investigation in Poland. Last year Poland’s police busted another illicit drug ring. 7 individuals were arrested. About 80 policemen took part in that investigation. Police officers also reported about medicines which were found in possession of that group.

5-alpha reductase inhibitors, testosterone use and fat-free mass

According to a trial, treatment with dutasteride (Avodart), a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, doesn’t influence negatively on fat-free mass in healthy men 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 administered dutasteride and Testosterone Enanthate, fat-free mass was increased by 0,8-8,1 kg in those that took 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 applied clinically to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia. These are disorders which commonly appear in middle-aged and old men.
DHT represents the chief metabolite of testosterone. But the role of DHT in human development is not clearly understood. It is suggested that DHT has relevant role in development of prostate and phallus.
Middle-aged and elder males with low testosterone levels that use testosterone preparations have risks connected with low muscle mass and sexual disorders.
Nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are also currently studied and developed. It is affirmed that SARMs and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are safe because DHT is probably not necessary for effects on fat-free mass, strength and sexual life. It is also doubted whether DHT plays 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 fat-free mass. Furthermore, the scientist evaluated role of 5?-reduction on sexual functions, hematocrit and levels of lipid.
The study conducted by Bhasin and his colleagues implicated healthy men that were 18- 50 years old and had normal testosterone levels. They administered Testosterone Enanthate and dutasteride or placebo. Doses of Testosterone Enanthate varied 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 enhanced due to application of testosterone. It didn’t differ significantly in men of these 2 groups. Muscle power which was also increased due to administration of testosterone didn’t differ between the two groups too. Sexual activity, volume of prostate, sebum production, hemoglobin, acne, hematocrit didn’t differ essentially between those who used placebo and dutasteride.
The specialists affirm that effectiveness of 5?-reductase inhibitors may be limited in men that have normal or enhanced levels of testosterone. 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.  Males should know that if they have high testosterone levels or introduce exogenous testosterone in their bodies, 5?-reductase inhibitors will not cause shrunken prostate.

Successful drug investigation in Spain

Spain’s police busted a large doping ring.
According to statements of police officers, sportspeople who tested positive at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Vuelta a Espana purchased steroids and other related preparations from this drug ring.
10 individuals that were involved in this illegal drug ring were arrested. Professional cyclists and other sportspersons had links with this illegal drug network.  It represented a popular source of performance-enhancing drugs in the world of top athletes.
The investigation was codenamed “Operation Skype”. Dr.  Alberto Beltran Nino was the leader of the drug ring. He is a former doctor of Liberty Seguros team. He was detained and sentenced to prison, when he tried to fly from Madrid to Columbia. Cezar Perez, the former personal coach of the Spanish runner Marta Dominguez, was also detained by Spain’s police officers.
However the center of the doping ring was set in Barcelona, it was a multinational business. The ring was connected with Morocco and Columbia. Steroids, HGH and EPO CERA were offered for sale by this illegal drug ring.
The physician 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 started summer last year. It was originally related to the Spanish runner Jose Luis Blanco after he was banned for two years because of positives for forbidden medications.