BALCO Associated Coach Now in Malaysia

BALCO-related, steroid-convicted coach Miles Sarcev has turned up in Malaysia, much to the surprise of the Malaysia press.

As reported here in The New Sunday Times, Malaysia's sports authorities are not amused.

MALAYSIA’S reputation and image has been tarnished because a sloppy National Sports Council (NSC) failed to check on body-building coach Milos Sarcev’s record before recommending him to the Malaysia Body Building Federation.

Apparently, Sarcev was charged for conspiracy to possess steroids in the United States two years ago.

Sarcev, who is from what was Yugoslavia, was recommended to coach Sazali Samad and Liaw Teck Leong for the just concluded Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

  The MBBF has also been told to explain why Sarcev was appointed as he has been charged in the US.

Asian Body Building Federation (ABBF) secretary-general Datuk Paul Chua yesterday confirmed that a report has been lodged with the International Body Building Federation stating its displeasure on Sarcev’s appointment by Malaysia and the coach’s outburst in Doha following Sazali’s defeat in the men’s 65kg category.

Malaysia authorities are arguing over who is responsible.

  According to an article in the Sioux City Journal dated Nov 29, 2005, Sarcev and another bodybuilder, Denis Tyron James, were fined US$10,000 (RM37,000) and US$1,000 (RM3,700) respectively after each had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess anabolic steroids, a misdemeanour, at the US Federal Court in Iowa City. "Who is Milos" said an irate Boon Leong. to speak on behalf of MBBF? We have never met him and we don’t know him. It was NSC that appointed him," said an irate Boon Leong.

As for Sarcev, he didn't fess up completely to his past:

  "Sarcev did mention the case but claimed he was cleared," said Zolkples.