Australian Olympic Committee: caffeine should be banned in sports

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) believes that caffeine should belong to prohibited preparations of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The president of the AOC John Coates claims that caffeine promotes addiction to sleeping pills and tranquillisers.
It is known that the Australian swimmers that competed at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics took sleeping pills Stilnox. So, John Coates believes that administration of caffeine resulted in usage of Stilnox.
Stilnox is ordinarily sold under the commercial name Zolpidem. It is a sleeping remedy that is taken to cure insomnia.
John Coates notices that athletes use caffeine for its effects on performance. Usage of this substance leads to insomnia. So, sportspersons have to use sleeping pills in order to cure insomnia.
 The AOC and Swimming Australia want to ban consumption of caffeine. It is their response to the disgrace related to Grant Hackett. A doctor recommended taking 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 celebrated swimmer. He won many 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 administration 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 disclose administration of this medicine.
But as for caffeine, previously it was prohibited by the WADA. But since it became widely spread and used in society, it was excluded from the list of banned products.
John Fahey, the president of the WADA, claims that the WADA made the right decision and excluded caffeine from list of prohibited drugs. He confirmed that caffeine would not be included in the list of prohibited medications again.
However a lot of experts state that caffeine is a performance enhancer, John Fahey contests this statement. He affirms that caffeine doesn’t influence on performance. The president of the WADA concludes that no any scientific literature describes capacity of caffeine to enhance performance.

BOA doesn’t want to see Dwain Chambers at 2012 London Olympics

The sprinter Dwain Chambers, who successfully served his 2-year suspension for administration of anabolic steroids, was named the representative of Great Britain in the 2012 Olympic Games.
Chambers troubles about the way to represent the home country. When it comes to the British Olympic Association (BOA), they are not happy to see him taking part in the Olympic Games. Certain former British Olympians don’t support the steroid user too.
Dwain Chambers administered the steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) elaborated by Patrick Arnold. After Don Catlin introduced a method which could discover intake of THG, Chambers tested positive for this steroid. It was on November 7, 2003.
Of course, intake of the steroid spoiled his reputation. When he tried to come back to professional sports, the BOA decided to alter the laws in order to prevent appearing of the sprinter in the 2012 Olympics. The BOA has established the rules which suspend steroid users from Olympics for life-time.
Establishing this rule, the BOA violated the doping code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This situation caused 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 steroid users 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 confirmed 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 be the representative of Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics. This case turned out to be an open door for other sportspersons that have served their suspensions to participate in Olympics.
The cyclist David Millar and the shot-putter Carl Myerscough that have served their suspensions for intake of steroids will compete at the 2012 Olympics too.
Despites spending much time to keep former steroid users from Olympics, the BOA ultimately claimed 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.

US was shocked that Austrian authorities sent steroid dealer to Slovenia instead of extradition to US

Recently a large steroid chain was busted in Austria. It was determined that this company got 40 million Euros due to illegal sale of steroids. Mihael Karner was claimed to be the leader of the steroid empire. The USA asked Austria to extradite this steroid dealer to the US. But the steroid dealer wasn’t extradited. He paid 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 forbidden to extradite Slovenian citizens to another country. Mihael Karner turned out to be a lucky person. If he had been extradited to the USA, he would have been probably sentenced to 40-year imprisonment.
Federal prosecutors started the investigation linked with this steroid ring in 2005. The steroid empire began to function earlier. Federal prosecutors found that since 2000 till 2008 the company earned 40 million Euros due to illegal drug trade.
Federal prosecutors defined in 2005 that Mihael Karner and his wife were implicated 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 tries to enforce other countries of the world to extradite distributors of steroids to the USA, it doesn’t have essential 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 had a victory.
As for Mihael Karner, the USA hoped that the extradition would be successful. That’s why it was a real shock for the US, when it was found that Karner reached Slovenia safely. Thus, the USA was defeated this time in the war on steroids.

Since Spelmans don’t want to help their son to make his dreams real, he finds another way to get money for bodybuilding

Mrs. Spelman and her husband put efforts in order to prevent publishing news about her son’s usage of steroids. She spent much money in courts for this goal. But as you know, any person could read the news about the youngest British sportsman that was caught administering prohibited preparations and banned from rugby. Anybody 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.
Spelman’s son desires to become a prominent professional bodybuilder. He desires to achieve the title of Mr. Olympia.
As for steroid use, Jonny Spelman was very open. He wrote about own intake of steroids on Bodybuilding.com and on bodybuilding forums of other web sites. He noted that he took Anavar, Dianabol, Winstrol and Testosterone. The teenager shared own experience and asked for instructions about usage of several steroids and combinations. Jonny Spelman also asked about ways of being on PCT.
Since he wrote about application of steroids openly, administrators of Bodybuilding.com banned him. It led to the search of his school room. As a result, drug paraphernalia was found.
The teenage athlete affirms 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 should move out, if he decides 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. The teenager concludes that viewers of YouTube play a significant role in his life because they support his efforts.

Swedish specialists: intake of steroids changes healthy fat distribution

A valuable research was conducted at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University. Specialists studied and set connections between application of steroids, body fat distribution and certain undesirable reactions of anabolic steroids. The research has manifested that users of steroids can suffer from abnormal fat distribution which can cause heart attacks and other troubles related to cardiovascular system.
The results of the study and conclusions were published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
 Ten top lifters from Sweden were involved in the research. They administer anabolic steroids continuously. So, it was studied function of steroids in fat distribution.
It is stated 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 take steroids possessing anabolic and androgenic effects. It has been seen that incorrect fat distribution may be a reason for disorders of cardiovascular system.
The lifters that were enrolled in the research were divided into 2 groups. Fat distribution was studied in lifters of the two groups. The lifters of one group took anabolic steroids. The lifters of the other group didn’t apply steroids.
The research has manifested that those that take steroids have more decreased fat deposits below the waist. So, they have lower levels of gynoid fat.
DEXA scanner that is commonly used to study osteoporosis has been used in order to determine fat distribution during the study.

However Colin Daynes has tested positive for banned drugs, his reputation will not be destroyed

The Canadian wrestler Colin Daynes failed a test for prohibited preparations. Unfortunately, his Olympic dreams will not be real. He was given 2-year ban.
Last year the athlete was chosen for the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame.
 The athlete was sentenced to the ban by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports. He failed a drug test, when he acquired a gold medal in the 74-kg weight class.
The athlete tested positive for Drostanolone, Boldenone, Tamoxifen and Furosemide. Every of these medications is included in the list of forbidden drugs of the World Anti-Doping Agency. As for Drostanolone and Boldenone, they belong to anabolic steroids. Furosemide represents a diuretic medication. It is taken as a masking agent for other preparations. Tamoxifen is a preparation which is advised for prevention of side results that occur due to steroid use.
The wrestler admitted to application of forbidden drugs and accepted the sentence. The sportsperson said that he used the forbidden preparations in order to get recovery from an injury. Colin Daynes told to The Star Monday night that he desired to recover in order to participate in the Summer Olympics. The athlete noted that a naturopathic doctor advised to administer these drugs. Colin Daynes also added that he hadn’t known that the preparations 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. The wrestler represented his country at the 1996 Olympics that were in Atlanta.
Colin Daynes didn’t try to defense himself. Colin Daynes noticed that there was no any difference whether the prohibited medications were found in the blood or not. They were in the system.
Previously this athlete also competed in mixed martial arts. He was going to qualify internationally. The athlete hoped that he would compete at the Olympics in London last time. Then the wrestler’s career ends. But he was banned  because of positives for forbidden medicines.
Bill Hogarth, the personal trainer of Colin Daynes, notes that that the things are too bad. But the athlete didn’t want to lie. Hogarth hopes that Daynes’ reputation will not be destroyed. During the career the athlete won 62 gold medals, 11 silver and 5 bronze medals.

1 kg of testosterone for self-administration!

Carlton Alloysius Hayes, an Australian man, was accused of possession of almost a kg of Testosterone Propionate. He ordered powder of this product via internet and got it from overseas. This person also desired to buy benzyl benzoate, a chemical that is used in order to prepare solution for injections from powder. When police officers learnt that he ordered this chemical, they asked him about purpose of purchasing it. Carlton Alloysius Hayes affirmed that he planned to acquire it for a friend. But he noted 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 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 about 156 kg, when he was in the court. He claimed that he couldn’t lose weight, however he trained at the gym. Thus, he took steroids to lose weight and look better. This man added that he hadn’t had any desire to sell steroids. He acquired the testosterone powder for personal usage.
A defense attorney for Hayes claimed 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 certain months of suspended jail. So, this man avoided imprisonment.

Huge source of steroids busted in Poland

A criminal group that manufactured and sold anabolic steroids was busted by Poland’s police. Over 90 police officers and frontier police were implicated in the investigation linked with this illicit business. Customers were mainly from North America. Police arrested 19 individuals: 6 women and 13 men. They were accused of illicit manufacture and distribution of steroids and money laundering.
Investigators defined that the drug ring was dealing with steroids since March 2008. The company advertised steroids for gaining of muscle mass and well-being in general. The medications were offered for sale per internet. Persons from the USA, Canada, France, Belgium, etc. ordered and got illegal medications.  Steroids were packed in fake packages and delivered 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 officers found large measures of steroids and packages which were prepared for shipment abroad. Several vehicles, 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 about 1 million Polish zlotys.
 It was set by police that three persons were leaders of the criminal group. They face 15-year imprisonment.
This investigation conducted by Polish police was successful. It was not the first successful drug investigation in Poland. Last year Poland’s police busted another illegal steroid ring. 7 individuals were arrested. Approximately 80 police officers were implicated in that investigation. Police also identified preparations which were sold by that drug ring.

5-alpha reductase inhibitors don’t affect muscle mass and strength which are increased due to usage of testosterone

According to a trial, the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor dutasteride (Avodart) doesn’t affect muscle mass in healthy males that use testosterone.
A study connected with this issue was conducted. While fat-free mass was increased by 0,6-7,1 kg during 20 weeks in men that used dutasteride and Testosterone Enanthate, fat-free mass was increased by 0,8-8,1 kg in those that used placebo and testosterone. As for muscle power, sexual functions and volume of prostate, they didn’t differ in men of these two groups.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors are utilized clinically to cure benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia. These are diseases that usually occur in middle-aged and old men.
DHT represents the chief metabolite of testosterone. But the function of DHT in human development is not is not understood. It is supposed that DHT plays important role in development of prostate and phallus.
Middle-aged and old males with decreased testosterone levels that take testosterone drugs have risks related to reduced muscle size and sexual disorders.
Scientists also study and 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 muscle mass, muscle power and sexual life. It is also doubted whether DHT plays 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 see 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 research conducted by Bhasin and his colleagues enrolled healthy men who were 18- 50 years old and had normal testosterone levels. They used Testosterone Enanthate and dutasteride or placebo. Dosages of Testosterone Enanthate varied from 50 to 600 mg weekly.
Since 5 ?-reductase inhibitors enhance testosterone levels, all males 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 significantly in males of these 2 groups. Muscle strength which was also increased due to intake of testosterone didn’t differ between the two groups too. Sexual functions, volume of prostate, sebum production, hemoglobin, acne, hematocrit didn’t differ essentially between those who were given placebo and dutasteride.
The experts state that effectiveness of 5?-reductase inhibitors may be limited in males who have normal or enhanced testosterone levels. That’s why it is necessary to check levels of testosterone 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 enhanced testosterone levels or introduce exogenous testosterone in their bodies, 5?-reductase inhibitors will not lead to shrunken prostate.