Steroid Nation

Czech archer Milan Andreas tests positive for marijuana, hehe

One might question if marijuana (or THC) really can enhance performance.  However, one group of athletes that should stay away from that substance would be archers.  No want stoned archers shooting arrows in the air for fun.

Czech archer Milan Andreas tested positive for THC; he may be munching down snacks rather than aiming at bulls-eyes in Beijing. (NY Times)

HARSH BUZZ KILL Speaking of drugs, 19-year-old Czech archer Milan Andreas has tested positive for marijuana use, the CTK news agency reports, and may be dropped from that country’s Olympic team. The decision will be made on Wednesday.

Daily Steroids Dose

1.  Big Mark McGwire stays quiet outside of baseball.  (USA Today)

2.  Dwain Chambers runs a 10.05 100M, the UK's best.  (The Independent)

3.  Catching drug addiction before it starts.  (TransWorldNews)

4.  Terry Bradshaw clarifies remarks about steroids: he meant anti-inflammatory steroids, or was did he mean aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, but Terry knew that) (I-Team, NY Daily News)

5.  Two of 10,000 Texas boys tested positive for the juice.  (KFDA)

6.  Jailer caught selling steroids to undercover cop.  (Wicked Local)

7. Disipio.com discusses the regenerative powers of Albert Pujols seen to the right in his high school freshman portrait (pronounce the 'j').

(ex)World record holder/Olympian Tim Montgomery arrested for heroin distribution

Once the world's fastest man, sprinter Tim Montgomery might just be the world's sorriest man tonight.  NBC-7 in Virginia reports Tiny Tim's arrest on heroin charges yesterday.  Not a timely arrest (as if any heroin arrest is timely) as Montgomery heads to court for sentencing on fraud and money laundering convictions.

Former Olympic track star Tim Montgomery has been indicted on heroin distribution charges weeks before he is sentenced in a scheme to cash millions of dollars in stolen or forged checks.

The 33-year-old sprinter once dubbed the fasted human on Earth was arrested Wednesday, accused of dealing more than 100 grams of heroin in Virginia over the past year.

A U.S. District Court magistrate ordered Montgomery jailed pending a bond hearing Monday.

Montgomery pleaded guilty in the check-kiting conspiracy, admitting he helped his former coach, Olympic champion Steve Riddick, and others cash $1.7 million in stolen and counterfeit checks. He faces up to 46 months in prison when he is sentenced May 16.

Montgomery's former companion, Olympic goal medalist Marion Jones, currently is serving a six-month prison term for lying to investigators about her role in the check-fraud scam and using steroids

As with Roger Clemens, the question remains 'how far can these athletes fall?'  Montgomery's former partner (ex-wife and current inmate) Marion Jones lost Olympic gold medals, scads of money, and all fan respect.  Montgomery lost a world record in the 100M, scads of money, and now his freedom for some time to come.  Others in the BALCO trial like Barry Bonds and Tammy Thomas stand to lose a great deal of integrity (?freedom) too.

Montgomery was linked to drug dealing in the past, just not quite as obvious as an arrest.

Montgomery's ex-coach Trevor Graham faces an upcoming BALCO perjury trial that threatens to blow the shorts off track and field.

Steroid/drug bust in Australia nets former Olympic athlete, swimmer Miller

Olympic swimmer Scott Miller, winner of silver and bronze winner, and his buddy collected a ton of nasty drugs and some interesting equipment.  To the Sydney Morning Herald:

An Olympian and the son of a legendary former Wallaby captain have been charged after police allegedly seized a commercial pill press, drugs and cash in raids on Sydney's northern beaches.

Olympic silver and bronze medallist Scott Miller and Mark Catchpole, the 40-year-old son of former Wallaby captain Ken Catchpole, were charged after a storage facility in Brookvale was raided yesterday.

Police allegedly found a pill press, professional tablet counter and some other items.

The pill press was capable of producing up to 27,000 pills an hour, police said.

Get a look at this cache, which is impressive:

Police also allegedly found capsicum spray and steroids, a loaded revolver, tablets believed to be ecstasy, powder believed to be methamphetamine and a large amount of cash in other raids.

Police charged both men with possession of a tablet press.

Mark Catchpole, 40, was also charged with possessing cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, crystal methylamphetamine, and a .32 calibre pistol.

He was also charged with the supply of methylamphetamine and possessing $224,000 which police allege are the proceeds of crime.

NASCAR driver fired up on heroin before he fired up his ride

Aaron Fike from Galesburg Ill, admitted he shot up heroin before he went out racing.  That ain't bumping that's racing according to ESPN:

Suspended NASCAR driver Aaron Fike now admits that he not only secretly struggled with drug addiction for years but also shot up heroin on some race days.

In his first in-depth interview since being arrested for heroin possession last summer, the 25-year-old said he had been using heroin for eight months and suffered from a dependency on painkillers for six years before that. In the weeks prior to his arrest, his once-a-week experiment with heroin had become a daily routine, including the days he was competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

NASCAR officials, when informed of Fike's admission, said the league has kept an eye on the more proactive random drug testing policies recently ramped up by the "Big Four" major league sports but point to the list of recent suspensions as proof that the current policy is working.

More bloody syringes and such:

On July 7, 2007, Fike and fiancée Cassandra Davidson were arrested in the parking lot of Kings Island amusement park outside of Cincinnati. Security guards knocked on the window of Fike's Toyota SUV after realizing that a black sheet was preventing anyone from seeing into the back seat. At first the couple attempted to flee, but a search of the vehicle turned up a haul of drug paraphernalia, including a 100-count box of syringes, bloody napkins and black tar heroin.

Fans may be surprised that narcotics are considered PEDs:

Narcotic analgesics mainly function as painkillers but also may produce euphoria or psychological stimulation, false feelings of invincibility, and illusions of physical prowess. These drugs also increase the pain threshold, which can cause greater injury because an athlete may not be aware of the original injury. Use of narcotics can also lead to physical dependence. Narcotic analgesics include Demerol, Dilaudid, Percodan, and Vicodin.

Physical dependence ensues, like compelled to shoot up in the parking lot before a dangerous race.  Thank goodness Fike ascertained treatment for narcotics dependence. (thanks to Sal for the tip)

Wrestling sites reporting that Nancy Benoit texted Chris Benoit about 'roid rage

ProWrestling,net and the Pro Wrestling Post carry leaking stories about Nancy Benoit's text messages to husband Chris Benoit, prior to the fated homi-suicide last summer.  (extensive documentation here)

It appears that Nancy Benoit sent concerned messages to the pro wrestler about his behavior inclusing his emotional instability.

Nancy Benoit complained of Chris Benoit's steroid abuse and referred to WWE's Wellness Policy as a "joke" in text messages retrieved from her husband's cell phone. "I will not accept this steroid induced roller coaster ride of emotional abuse," Nancy wrote in a text message on May 9, 2007. "Ignoring the problem or running away isn't going to help you face it. You need professional (help) and only if you're fully honest about all of it."
 
In a text message later that day, she mentioned WWE's wellness program. "Get off the stuff," she wrote. "It's obvious (you're on). I'm probably not the only one who can see and we both know the wellness program is a joke."

Obviously more factors influenced Benoit's behavior.  Although there is evidence anabolic steroids cause some increases in emotionality in users, such a homi-suicide occurs rarely in AAS users.  However we would suggest that steroid use in some vulnerable users, or in combination with other drugs, and a propensity to aggressiveness can ignite violent behavior.  More:

Powell's POV: Nancy's frustration with her husband's behavior and the way he was treating her in those final weeks is also well documented. "Are you trying to say this is how you grew up, watching your dad call your mom names and making her cry?" she wrote. "No. Then what gives you the right."
 
The messages help explain to some extent what was going on in their lives in the weeks leading up to the murders. The steroid allegations and the comment regarding the wellness program could be a public relations nightmare for WWE if the cable news talk shows pick up on the story again. The timing couldn't be worse from a company perspective because they are probably on the radar of mainstream reporters due to the fireworks accident that took place at WrestleMania 24.

Too bad Benoit or someone from the tainted wrestling organization (WWE) didn't pick up on his irregular behavior in time to change something.

 
This original source for the above news was Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter. For subscription information, visit WrestlingObserver.com.

Saloon slinging steroids (and HGH)?

The Toledo Blade reports that police found a cache of 'steroids' and syringes in an Ohio bar during a raid on the joint. 

Charges filed against two owners of the Rodeo Bar & Grill in Oregon were dismissed yesterday after a third owner admitted the steroids and syringes found during a search of the business in January were his, their attorney said.

Johnathan Roumaya, 23, of 3140 Shoreland Ave., Washington Township, pleaded no contest and was found guilty yesterday in Oregon Municipal Court to a misdemeanor charge of possession of dangerous drugs. A misdemeanor charge of permitting drug abuse was dismissed. He faces up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Mr. Roumaya was referred to the probation department yesterday for a presentence investigation. He is scheduled for sentencing April 14.

You're going to read that the owner claimed he used the 'roids personally, but why keep his stash at such a public venue?  Wonder if slinging steroids has made local bar scenes like certain bars sling the rock?

The Rodeo Bar and Grill, 3150 Navarre Ave., is believed to be where Michael Gagnon, 24, of Adrian was drinking Dec. 30 prior to heading the wrong way on I-280 and crashing the pickup he was driving into a van, killing five members of a Maryland family.

Authorities searched the bar in January and found steroids and syringes in a filing cabinet. The items found were listed as a blister pack containing nine tablets of Clenbuterol, a bottle with liquid Clenbuterol, several vials of the human growth hormone Jintropin, and a bag of syringes and more human growth hormone. Clenbuterol is a steroid used in meat production that's banned in the United States.

Mr. Potts said Mr. Roumaya bought the steroids for his use though never used them. The other owners, Mr. Yousif and Mr. Murdzia, had no knowledge of the steroids being at the bar, their attorney said.

"[Mr. Roumaya] wanted to be a man about it," Mr. Potts said. "He wouldn't allow his partners to be put through the ordeal and expense to defend themselves when they knew nothing about it."

Good job 'man'.  Also note that neither clenbuterol nor HGH is a steroid.  Perhaps bars join other black market sources of steroid/HGH distribution:

• Buying drugs from AIDs patients
• Distribution from the Russian mafia and other elements of organized crime
• Anti-aging clinics
• Rogue doctors and vets
• Smuggled from Mexico
• Some synthesized in home labs

Sleazy business, huh?

Live blogging the Congressional steroid hearing 3: Selig and Fehr

(11:49 DC time).  Bud Selig on the stand.  He says that he initiated the Mitchell probe because he has nothing to hide.  He points out steroid violations at all levels of baseball have decreased.  Selig is deeply saddened by the behavior of the players.  (interesting)

Don Fehr's turn to testify.  He offers up the successes of testing, although he admits he underestimated the PED problem in baseball.  He wants to discuss HGH in depth.  Talks about banning the substance, and agreeing to begin testing as soon as a valid lab test can be developed.  He talks about non-analytic positives.

Fehr is asking for more federal regulation of HGH, and applauds Rep Lynch's bill, as well as Biden and others introducing legislation.

Fehr is calling the Mitchell Report as 'management only'.  Fehr says steroid use is on the wane -- note his voice wavers on this point.  He wants more time to discuss the issue.

Fehr gets a shot in at Selig talking of 'unilateral implementation' of anti-doping measures.  He doesn't want public disclosure of accused players.

Fehr now taking questions.  He expresses irritation about the extend of the notification (although Mitchell explained he sent letters, to which the MLBPA discouraged replys)

Sad affairs with Andy Reid's sons, including 'roids

Can there be anything more painful for parents than to see their children struggle so desperately with life?  There is no joy in reporting the difficult struggles Philadelphia Eagles' coach Andy Reid faces with his adult sons.  What happened that things went so wrong with the lives of the two sons of the successful NFL  coach?

A Pennsylvania judge says that Reid's house in PA was a warehouse for drugs including steroids.  From Fox News:

NORRISTOWN, Pa. —  A judge who sentenced Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid's sons to jail on Thursday likened the coach's home to "a drug emporium" and questioned whether his adult sons should live there, given their drug problems.

"There isn't any structure there that this court can depend upon," Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill said before sentencing Reid's son Britt to up to 23 months in jail plus probation.

"I'm saying this is a family in crisis," O'Neill said.

When arrested last year, the Reid boys harbored significant amounts of drugs and weapons:

Police found a shotgun and hollow-point bullets along with cocaine, marijuana and OxyContin, a painkiller, in the vehicle Britt Reid was driving during a Jan. 30 road-rage encounter, and later found a handgun at the house that they believe he had brandished at the other driver.

They found vials of heroin and steroids, more than 200 pills and a drug scale in Garrett Reid's car the same day, when he injured another motorist.

Are NFL coaches that busy, that dedicated, and that single minded in the pursuit of voctories, that they ignore what's up with the family?  If so, that horse is long gone out of the barn.

The judge noted that Andy and Tammy Reid love their sons and have supported them through repeated attempts at drug rehabilitation. But he wondered aloud how the parents could be blind to the long list of drugs, guns and ammunition that police found in the Reids' home and vehicles.

"These are highly addictive medications that are just around the house with two addicts in it," O'Neill said. "It sounds more or less like a drug emporium."

As the LA Times reports, Garrett Reid sold drugs down in the hood.  He is so 'addicted' to drugs he smuggled RX pills into his jail cell.

It was Garrett who told the court he enjoyed being the rich kid who dealt drugs in "the hood," but that, "I don't want to be that kid who was the son of the head coach of the Eagles, who was spoiled and on drugs and OD'd and just faded into oblivion."

Yet he is apparently still addicted. Earlier in the day, authorities found 89 prescription drug pills in his jail cell. They believe he smuggled them in his rectum when he was jailed earlier this week.

Tearful Martina Hingis amps down tennis career amid positive coke tests

What is going on with the news?  If it isn't water boarding tortures, or Donald Rumsfeld memos or writer's strikes, or global warmings, it is about pro athletes denying the latest drug charges.

Snorting back tears, Martina Hingis retired from professional tennis when cocaine turned up in her urine drug tests taken at Wimbledon.  The LA Times carries this story.

ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) - Martina Hingis said Thursday she has been accused of testing positive for cocaine at Wimbledon, and then announced her retirement from professional tennis.

Hingis, a five-time Grand Slam champion and former Wimbledon winner, denied using cocaine.

"I find this accusation so horrendous, so monstrous that I've decided to confront it head on by talking to the press," she said. "I am frustrated and angry. I believe that I am absolutely 100 percent innocent."

Where is Dog Chapman when you need him to investigate these drug testing companies that mix up samples (guess he has his own problems)?  Both Hingis 'A' and 'B' samples snowed positive.

Hingis said she was accused by "an outsource testing company" of taking cocaine during Wimbledon. She said she was "shocked and appalled" when notified that her urine sample came back positive after the loss to Granville... 

Hingis said she later underwent a privately arranged hair test which came back negative for cocaine. The official backup "B" sample test on her Wimbledon urine sample, however, tested positive for the drug.

Hingis said she hired an attorney who found "various inconsistencies" with the urine sample taken during Wimbledon.

"He is also convinced that the doping officials mishandled the process and would not be able to prove that the urine that was tested for cocaine actually came from me," she said.

The World Tennis Association (WTA) does not yet know about Hingis' problems.  So why the rush to judgment?

WTA Tour chief executive Larry Scott said the tour had not received any official information about a positive test and "as a result we are not in a position to comment on the matter."

"However, it is important to remember that in the area of anti-doping, all players are presumed innocent until proven otherwise," Scott said.

BTW, there exist any number of clever blog writers to cover for those striking guild writers...

Update on coke as a PED, from ESPN and Gary Wadler.