Steroid Nation

Pistorius plot thickens: Disputed PEDs

All pretrial testimony continues in the Oscar Pistorius Para-Olympian bail hearing in South Africa, the defense contested all evidence the prosecution introduced.  Of interest here is the police/prosecution testimony that anabolic steroids were found in the Pistorius abode, with needles.  The defense countered the substance was "testo-compositum coenzyme" an herbal supplement.

For instance, the detective asserted that two boxes of testosterone and needles were found when officers searched Mr. Pistorius’s home in a gated community where his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and law school graduate, was shot to death with four rounds fired through the closed door of a bathroom.

The prosecution did not accuse Mr. Pistorius of directly using or abusing the substance. Testosterone in various forms is among banned substances on the 2013 list of prohibited drugs for athletes issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

But Barry Roux, Mr. Pistorius’s defense lawyer, said the substance found at his client’s home did not figure among banned drugs.

It was “not a steroid and it is not a banned substance,” Mr. Roux said, accusing the police of taking “every piece of evidence and try to extract the most possibly negative connotation and present it to the court.”

Reuters messed up the name of the herbal supplement Pistorius is alleged to have in house:

Details on the makeup of testo-composutim co-enzyme were not immediately available but administering testosterone as an anabolic agent is banned at all times under World Anti-Doping Agency rules for sports people.

The supplement must be "Coenzyme-Compositum" By Heel. It contains these ingrediants:

Coenzyme compositum contains: Vitamin C D6; Vitamin B1 D6, Vitamin B2 D6, Vitamin B6 D6, Nicotins Kureamid D6; Acidum cis-aconiticum D8, Acidum citricum D8, Acidum fumaricum D8, Acidum a-ketoglutaricum D8, Acidum DL-malicum D8, Acidum succinicum D8, Baryum oxalsuccinicum D10, Natrium oxalaceticum D6, Natrium pyruvicum D8, Cystein D6, Pulsatilla D6, Hepar sulphuris D10, Sulfur D10, ATP (Adenosintriphosphat) D10, Nicotinamid-adenin-dinucleotid D8, Manganum phosphoricum D6, Magnesium oroticum D6, Cerium oxalicum D8, Coenzym A D8, a-Liponskure D6, Beta vulgaris rubra D4.

That doesn't seem all herbal to us.  Furthermore, why hypodermic needles?  Heel makes some homeopathic injectables, loaded with crap.  Should be no problem discerning between an anabolic sterorids and the 'stuff' (like umbilical cord) in an injectable Heel product.  (Or this product for spasms: Spascupreel:

Each 1.1 ml contains: Aconitum napellus 6X 2.2 mcl, Ammonium bromatum 4X 1.1 mcl, Colocynthis 4X 1.1 mcl, Atropinum sulphuricum 6X 1.1 mcl, Gelsemium sempervirens 6X 1.1 mcl, Magnesia phosphorica 6X 1.1 mcl, Veratrum album 6X 1.1 mcl, Passiflora incarnata 2X 0.55 mcl, Chamomilla 3X 0.55 mcl, Agaricus muscarius 4X 0.55 mcl, Cuprum sulphuricum 6X 0.55 mcl

 There were many inconsistencies between defense and prosecution in testimony.  Witnesses claim they heard shouting and fighting, the defense counters that the witness was 300 meters away.  Pistorius said he was walking on his stubs, the forensics showed the bullet trajectories were down, indicating he had prostheses on.  etc. etc.

 

 

 

 

Reports say steroids found at Pistorius home

New reports indicated that para-olympian Oscar Psitorius possessed anabolic steroids, as well as plenty of alcohol. 

Oscar Pistorius, the South African Paralympic athlete will reportedly be tested for steroids after the banned drug was found at the home where he is accused of murdering his model girlfriend.  (here and  here)

And more:

Police asked for blood taken from Mr Pistorius to be tested for steroids, City Press claimed, in anticipation that his defence team might claim he acted in “roid rage” – an aggressive condition associated with taking large doses of performance-enhancing drugs.

A source told The Sun : “Steroid drugs were found at Pistorius’s home together with evidence of heavy drinking. That’s why police have specifically ordered that he be tested for steroids.”

he New York Post is referring to a 'roid rage', which is a ridiculous headline.  Pistorius was well known to own weapons.  He was also a drinker of some skill too.  Furthermore there may be another male invloved in the mess.  Sounds like many complications in this sad story.

Pistorius and family vehemently claim the girl was not murdered; 'mistaken identity' in a country high in break-ins and violence.  However a bloody cricket bat, possible skull fractures in the girl, and a number of bullet wounds in the head could mitigate against any accidental shooting.  How many house robbers stop in the bathroom for a break?

Pistorius supporters are blaming society, the media, the muppets, and who knows who else.

"There is something fundamentally wrong with our society," Henke Pistorius said. "We build people up into heroes, who overcome immense challenges, only to take great glee in breaking them down"

Always a headline, and often not representing the complex interactions that lead to violence, the use af anabolic steroids can significantly increase aggressiveness, however would not be the single proximal cause of this kind of violent aggression.

Interesting that one doesn't hear of Olympic athletes involved in felony violence.  Also interesting that Pistorius was on a competition cycle; wonder if the anabolic steroids found (if that is true) will mitigate some of his championships?

 

 

Hedo Turkoglu tests positive for primabolan

Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu now sits down for a 20 game NBA suspension after he tested positive for primabolan (Metenolone), an anabolic steroid, known as a 'cutting agent'.  Reportedly Turkoglu obtained the drug from a Turkish trainer, without knowing it was banned.

So he not only used steroids during testing season, but would also present himself as somewhat ignorant of the drugs he takes.  It might be better to admit that you are an aging basketball star in a league with younger more athletic players, and that you are trying desperately to hang on.

It is interesting because basketball players, even in the NBA, are rare users of anabolic steroids.

Images over the years show, some development in Turkoglu.  Shot putter, Nadzeya Ostapchuk, suspended from Olympic compeition shows much better development with the drug.  ^^  Maybe the Magic could sign her to a contract.

World record holder in bench press faces steroids charges

The Spokesman Review (Washington State) reports that world record bench holder faces indictments for steroids trafficing.

A Moses Lake man known as the “Bench Monster,” for his world-record weightlifting exploits faces federal charges tied to anabolic steroids.

Ryan Shawn Kennelly, 38, once bench pressed 1,075 pounds to set a world record at the Pride Strength Wars in Kennewick.

Now his burden is dealing with the fallout of a grand jury indictment involving outlawed steroids, charges that carry maximum penalties upon conviction of 20 years in prison and $500,000 in fines.

He pleaded not guilty Friday in U.S. District Court to a rash of charges accusing him of possessing lab equipment to make steroids; importing anabolic steroids; possession and attempts to deliver steroids; and being an unlawful user of a drug while possessing firearms and ammunition.

World records, steroids, firearms and ammunition.  Add federal penitentiary to this list of associations.

I heard a radio announcer on Fox (I think) lobby for legalizing steroids and PEDs, because he liked long home runs.  Not only is that a very superficial thought, but go over that list of associations again:  steroids, firearms, illegal activities, penitentiary.  Even if a fan values long home runs over fairness, honesty and the player's health, does the fan not understand how the associations fit in?  An underworld of aggressiveness, that operates in the criminal shadows.

Friday was not the muscle-bound Kennelly’s first brush with steroid allegations.

Grant County prosecutors accused him in October 2010 of manufacturing marijuana and possession and intent to distribute marijuana and anabolic steroids, the Tri-City Herald reported.

Two months later, authorities searched his Kennewick apartment and seized 84 vials of steroids, and he was charged with possession with intent to manufacture and deliver anabolic steroids.

While those two cases were pending, authorities accused him of trying to ship steroids from Washington to California via UPS, but California Highway Patrol investigators intercepted the package and discovered the vials inside.

Rutting around deer antler velvet: Doe it or doe it not work?

The author or this blog supports a fine Welsh Corgi (Queen's dogs) who causes a multitude of trouble.  Not only is the beast grouchy, but it tends to chase deer.  It brings home deer parts, like legs, bones, and horns.  Deer horns.  Was thinking of using one of the horns as a knife handle, but wait, perhaps it should be ground up and sprayed under the tongue.  Sprayer could then tackle like Ray Lewis and putt like VJ Singh.  If athletes are willing to ante up, it will bilk someone out of money, while producing nothing but a headache.

How can a deer horn cause trouble?  Like seemly every substance found under the sun, and some under other suns, some enterprising entrepreneur will market this substance as a PED, to bilk athletes -- who seem to stop at nothing to enhance performance -- out of their cash money.

The devil you say, Ray Lewis using deer antlers?  VJ Singh withdrawing from a tournament apparently as a result of the spray.

The proponents of deer horn extract claim it is a source of IGF-1 (insulin like growth hormone -1 ) which is like HGH, or they hope a powerful anabolic substance.  Deer horns grow fast don't they? 

The logic is infallible.  Deer antler grow fast (as fast the the national debt?  As fast as hemlock?).  Deer antler contain incredible substances that enhance growth of muscle, bone, teeth, cartilage, spinal fluid, bond yields, who knows?  And it will work for you if you buy it (at a high price) and spray it under your tongue.  Hey, we even have references.

Are there are any actual scientific studies supporting the use of the substance?  Does it matter that these peptide hormones are digested before they are absorbed.  Can we buy some snake oil?

In a review by Rameriz in  2004 (PRHSJ: 23: 189) she comments on the use of deer antler, and the dearth of published clinical trials.  She brings up the possibility of fraud.

A search finds no evidence of any clinical trials.  (however someone is attempting to patent IGF-1 as a treatment for Autism).  So why would anyone care if the spray is pure IGF-1, because it isn't going to be absorbed anyway.

A "Dr Andro" supports the deer antler hoax with a reference.  Here is what the reference abstract says:

There were no endocrine, red cell mass or VO2max changes in any group. These findings do not support an erythropoetic or aerobic ergogenic effect of deer antler velvet. Further, the inconsistent findings regarding the effects of deer antler velvet powder supplementation on the development of strength suggests that further work is required to test the robustness of the observation that this supplement enhances the strength training response and to ensure this observation is not a type I error.

 

It was not significant!

So why is the substance banned?  Contamination?  And why would anyone want to use this junk?  To improve his wedge from the sand trap?

Amazing!

 

Ummmm, where did the Corgi put that deer antler now....

 

 

 

 

Spanish doping doctor finally testifies: Eufemiano Fuentes

The LA TImes comments on the doping trial of Eufemiano Fuentes.  May cyclists expect to be paraded into Spanish Court to document the doctor's role in the contamination of international cyclling which leads all the way to the top of course - Lance Armstrong.  The slimy mess around Armstrong and cycling will only get deeper with time...

CyclingEufemiano Fuentes was arrested in 2006 after Spanish police raided his office, laboratory and home and seized more than 200 bags of frozen blood, labeled with what are believed to be code names for famous athletes. Investigators are working to decipher the code, amid speculation that they could bring down some of the biggest names in sports.

Fuentes told the court Tuesday that he gave "cyclists, soccer players, tennis players and boxers" transfusions of their own blood for "health reasons," but never treated them during competition. He said code names were used on blood labels and during telephone conversations for his clients' own "comfort," because they feared that media outlets might tap their phone lines.

Among those expected to testify at Fuentes' trial, which opened Monday, are dozens of Spanish cyclists who trained with Lance Armstrong and also competed against him.

 

 

Miami New Times claims widespread doping in baseball

In a huge revelation, a site from Florida the 'Miami New Times' obtained insider information about a local anti-aging clinic that appears to have enlightened several baseball stars with PEDs.

...you'll find more than a dozen other baseball pros, from former University of Miami ace Cesar Carrillo to Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal to Washington Nationals star Gio Gonzalez. Notable coaches are there too, including UM baseball conditioning guru Jimmy Goins.

The names are all included in an extraordinary batch of records from Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic tucked into a two-story office building just a hard line drive's distance from the UM campus. They were given to New Times by an employee who worked at Biogenesis before it closed last month and its owner abruptly disappeared. The records are clear in describing the firm's real business: selling performance-enhancing drugs, from human growth hormone (HGH) to testosterone to anabolic steroids.

Interviews with six customers and two former employees corroborate the tale told by the patient files, the payment records, and the handwritten notebooks kept by the clinic's chief, 49-year-old Anthony Bosch.

This operation has been called the East Coast Balco Operation, which has been heard before in conjunction with other schemes.

THis operation appears to dispense HCG, HGH, anabolic steroids, IGF-1,   Names include A-Rod, Melky Crabera, Nelson Cruz, Gio Gonzalez and others.  MLB players just need that extra edge of doping.

Remember that name: Biogenesis.  Starts with 'B' like BALCO.