Caffeine and performance

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) confirms that caffeine should belong to banned medications of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The president of the AOC John Coates claims that caffeine induces addiction to sleeping pills and tranquilizers.
It is known that the Australian swimmers that competed at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics used sleeping pills Stilnox. So, John Coates confirms that application of caffeine led to administration of Stilnox.
Stilnox is ordinarily sold under the name Zolpidem. It is a sleeping remedy which is indicated in case of insomnia.
John Coates confirms that sportspeople use caffeine in order to increase performance. Usage of this substance leads to insomnia. So, sportspersons have to use sleeping tablets in order to cure insomnia.
 The AOC and Swimming Australia want to prohibit usage of caffeine. It is their response to the disgraceful case related to Grant Hackett. A physician recommended administering Stilnox to this athlete 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 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 intake of Stilnox is widely spread among Australian swimmers.
Stilnox was never on the list of forbidden medicines. Anti-doping agencies didn’t conduct tests to discover intake of this medicine.
But when it comes to 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 preparations.
John Fahey, the president of the WADA, claims that the WADA made the right decision and excluded caffeine from list of forbidden products. He claimed that caffeine would not be included in the list of banned products again.
However numerous specialists claim that caffeine is a performance enhancer, John Fahey contests this affirmation. He affirms that caffeine doesn’t impact on performance. He concludes that no any scientific literature describes capacity of caffeine to increase performance.

However BOA is not happy that Dwain Chambers will participate in 2012 Olympics, they support him

The sprinter Dwain Chambers, who successfully served his 2-year ban for administration of anabolic steroids, was named the representative of Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics.
Chambers troubles about the way to represent the native country. As for the British Olympic Association (BOA), they don’t desire to see him taking part in the 2012 Summer Olympics. Several former British Olympians don’t support the steroid user too.
The sprinter used the steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) introduced by Patrick Arnold. After Don Catlin elaborated a method which could disclose intake of THG, the sprinter tested positive for this steroid. It was on November 7, 2003.
Undoubtedly, administration of the steroid destroyed his reputation. When he tried to return to professional sports, the BOA made the decision to alter the laws in order to prevent appearing of Dwain Chambers in the 2012 London Olympics. The BOA has established the rules which suspend steroid users from Olympics for life-time.
Introducing this rule, the BOA violated the doping code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This factor caused numerous 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 steroid users at Olympics. Such former Olympians, as Sebastian Coe and Daley Thompson, loudly supported efforts of the BOA.
 Daley Thompson confirmed 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 represent Britain at the 2012 Summer 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 bans for intake of steroids will compete at the 2012 Olympics too.
Despites wasting much time to keep former steroid users from Olympic Games, the BOA ultimately confirmed that not only Chambers but also Millar, Myerscough or any other sportsperson that has served a ban successfully may compete at Olympics. The CEO of the BOA Andy Hunt has confirmed that any sportsperson is treated the same way.

US hoped that Austrian authorities would extradite steroid dealer Mihael Karner

Recently a huge steroid ring was busted in Austria. It was discovered that this company received 40 million Euros due to illicit distribution of steroids. Mihael Karner was considered to be the leader of the steroid ring. The USA asked Austrian authorities to extradite this man to the US. But Mihael Karner wasn’t extradited. Mihael Karner gave 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 banned to extradite Slovenians to another country. Mihael Karner turned out to be a lucky man. If he had been extradited to the USA, he would have been probably sentenced to 40-year imprisonment.
Federal prosecutors began the investigation linked with this steroid empire 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 sale of steroids.
Federal prosecutors learnt in 2005 that Mihael Karner and his wife were implicated in illicit sale 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 other countries of the world to extradite steroid dealers to the USA, it doesn’t have significant success in this area. But the persons who 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 suggested 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’s plans don’t correspond to those of 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 usage of steroids. She spent a lot 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 forbidden medications and suspended from rugby. Each person expected that Jonny Spelman would thank his parents for the efforts to hide the truth. But Jonny’s attitude turned out to be opposite.
Spelman’s son wants to become a famous professional bodybuilder. He wants to win the title of Mr. Olympia.
As for administration of steroids, Jonny Spelman was too open. He wrote about own application of steroids on Bodybuilding.com and on bodybuilding forums of other web sites. He claimed that he used Anavar, Dianabol, Winstrol and Testosterone. The teenager shared own experience and asked for guidelines about administration of several steroids and stacks. The teenager also asked about ways of being on PCT.
Since he wrote about administration of steroids openly, administrators of the site Bodybuilding.com banned him. It led to the search of Jonny’s school room. As a result, drug paraphernalia was discovered.
The teenager affirms that however 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 desires to be a bodybuilder. But the teenager 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 adds that viewers of YouTube play a great role in his life because they help him to become a bodybuilder.

Steroid users have lower levels of gynoid fat in comparison with those that don’t use steroids

A precious study was conducted at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University. Scientists studied and defined relations between usage of steroids, body fat distribution and several adverse effects of anabolic steroids. The study has manifested that consumers of steroids can experience unhealthy fat distribution which can lead to heart attacks and other dysfunctions of cardiovascular system.
The results of the research and conclusions were published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
 10 elite lifters from Sweden were enrolled in the research. They use anabolic steroids regularly. Thus, it was studied role of steroids in body fat distribution.
It is affirmed that lifters who administer steroids possessing anabolic and androgenic properties have risks suffering from heart attacks. The specialists at Lulea University of Technology and Umea University have studied the way body fat is distributed in lifters that apply steroids possessing anabolic and androgenic effects. It has been defined that unhealthy fat distribution may be a reason for cardiovascular diseases.
The lifters who 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 take steroids.
The study has shown that those who administer steroids have more decreased fat deposits below the waist. Thus, they have lower levels of gynoid fat.
DEXA scanner which is commonly applied to study osteoporosis has been used in order to determine fat distribution during the study.

Colin Daynes tested positive for Drostanolone, Boldenone, Furasemide and Tamoxifen

Colin Daynes, a Canadian wrestler, tested positive for forbidden preparations. 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 Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports banned this wrestler. He failed a drug test, when he won a gold medal in the 74-kg weight category.
The wrestler tested positive for Drostanolone, Boldenone, Tamoxifen and Furosemide. Every of these drugs is included in the list of banned medications of the World Anti-Doping Agency. When it comes to Drostanolone and Boldenone, they are anabolic steroids. Furosemide represents a diuretic medicine. It serves as a masking agent for other medications. Tamoxifen is a medicine which is advised for prevention of unwanted consequences which appear due to steroid use.
The athlete admitted to usage of banned medications and accepted the sentence. The wrestler affirmed that he took the banned medicines for getting or recovery from an injury. The athlete 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 physician advised to administer these medicines. The athlete also added that he hadn’t known that the products were forbidden. According to his statements, if he had known, he wouldn’t have participated in competitions.
Colin Daynes wanted to represent Canada at the Olympics again. The wrestler represented his country at the 1996 Olympics which took place in Atlanta.
Daynes didn’t try to defense himself. He noted that there was no any difference whether the prohibited drugs were found in the blood or not. They presented in the system.
Earlier this wrestler also competed in mixed martial arts. Colin Daynes had to qualify internationally. The athlete thought that he would compete at the Summer Olympics in London last time. Then his career comes to the end. But he was sentenced to ban due to positives for prohibited products.
Bill Hogarth, the personal trainer of Colin Daynes, 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 the athlete won 62 gold medals, 11 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Australian man that bought 1 kg of testosterone from overseas was sentenced to suspended jail

Carlton Alloysius Hayes, a person from Australia, was accused of possession of almost a kg of Testosterone Propionate. He ordered powder of this medicine via internet and obtained it from overseas. This man also wanted to purchase benzyl benzoate, a chemical that is applied in order to make liquid for injections from powder. When police officers learnt that this man ordered this chemical, he was asked about purpose of buying it. Carlton Alloysius Hayes confirmed that he intended to get it for a friend. But he noted that he couldn’t remember the name of the friend.
Then Hayes himself contacted police officers and asked them to come to his place. When police officers came, Hayes showed that he had 2 bags of white powder. He also acknowledged that he had ordered benzyl benzoate in order to mix it with the powder and ready liquid for injections.  
Hayes weighed circa 156 kg, when the court took place. He confirmed that he couldn’t lose weight, although he trained at the gym. So, he applied steroids to lose weight and improve appearance. This person confirmed that he hadn’t had any intention to distribute steroids. He obtained the testosterone powder for personal application.
A defense attorney for Carlton Alloysius Hayes claimed that his client had a good reputation. He was ever a hard worker.
 Although he had to be sentenced to imprisonment because he purchased steroids from overseas, the judge’s decision was to sentence him to certain months of suspended jail. Thus, this man avoided imprisonment.

Poland’s police succeeds in fight against illegal sale of steroids

A criminal group that manufactured and sold anabolic steroids was busted in Poland. More than 90 policemen and frontier police were involved in the investigation connected with this illicit business. Customers were mainly from North America. Police arrested 19 individuals: 6 women and 13 men. They were charged with illegal manufacture and sale of steroids and money laundering.
Investigators defined that the group was dealing with steroids since March 2008. The company advertised steroids for getting of muscle mass and health in general. The medicines were offered for sale per internet. Persons from the USA, Canada, France, Belgium, etc. placed orders and got illicit medicines.  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 company.
Homes and business offices of the steroid ring were raided. Police found huge measures of steroids and packages which were prepared to be shipped 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 3 individuals composed the leadership of the illegal group. They face 15 years in prison.
This investigation conducted by Polish police turned out to be successful. It was not the first successful drug investigation in this country. Last year Polish police officers busted another illegal drug ring. 7 persons were detained. About 80 policemen were implicated in that investigation. Police officers also identified medications which were offered for sale by that group.

Role of DHT in human development

According to a trial, the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor dutasteride (Avodart) doesn’t influence negatively on muscle mass in healthy men that administer testosterone.
A study connected with this issue was performed. While fat-free mass was increased by 0,6-7,1 kg during 20 weeks in males who applied dutasteride and Testosterone Enanthate, fat-free mass was increased by 0,8-8,1 kg in those that administered 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 applied clinically to cure benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia. These are dysfunctions that commonly occur in middle-aged and elderly men.
DHT represents the chief metabolite of testosterone. But the function of this metabolite in human development is not clearly understood. It is supposed that DHT plays relevant role in development of prostate and phallus.
Middle-aged and elder males with reduced testosterone levels that take testosterone medicines have risks connected with reduced muscle mass and sexual troubles.
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 supposedly not necessary for effects on muscle mass, strength and sexual life. 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 see whether 5?-reduction to DHT is required in order to mediate androgen’s effects on muscle mass. Moreover, the scientist evaluated role of 5?-reduction on sexual activity, hematocrit and levels of lipid.
The study conducted by Bhasin and his colleagues enrolled healthy men who were 18- 50 years old and had normal testosterone levels. They administered Testosterone Enanthate and dutasteride or placebo. Doses of Testosterone Enanthate ranged from 50 to 600 mg per week.
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 study manifested that fat-free mass was enhanced due to usage of testosterone. It didn’t differ substantially in males of these 2 groups. Muscle strength which was also enhanced due to intake 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 administered placebo and dutasteride.
The specialists note that effectiveness of 5?-reductase inhibitors may be limited in men that have normal or increased levels of testosterone. That’s why it is necessary to measure testosterone levels in order to determine how bodies will respond to 5 ?-reductase inhibitors.
So, the study has demonstrated 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.

Dr. Alberto Beltran Nino was leader of international doping ring

Spain’s national police busted a huge illegal drug ring.
According to statements of police, athletes who tested positive at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Vuelta a Espana bought steroids and other related preparations from this doping ring.
10 persons who were implicated in this drug ring were arrested. Professional cyclists and other sportspersons had links with this illegal drug network.  It represented a prominent source of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs in the world of elite sport.
The investigation was named “Operation Skype”. Dr.  Alberto Beltran Nino was the leader of the drug ring. He is a former physician of Liberty Seguros team. He was arrested and sentenced to jail, when he tried to flee from Madrid to Columbia. Cezar Perez, the former personal trainer of the Spanish runner Marta Dominguez, was also arrested by Spain’s police.
Although the center of the drug ring was established in Barcelona, it represented a multinational company. The ring had contacts in Morocco and Columbia. Steroids, HGH and EPO CERA were sold by this illegal drug ring.
The doctor Beltran also worked with Xacobeo-Galicia team. David Garcia, the professional rider of this team, tested positive for EPO at the 2010 Vuelta.
The investigation started summer last year. It was originally connected with the Spanish runner Jose Luis Blanco after he was sentenced to 2-year ban because of positives for prohibited medications.