Fitness champ Julie Coram retains law firm to fight steroid charges

We carried the story of fitness model Julie Coram from Canada, who won the Miss Manitoba Fitness title on May 31, and who tested positive for several anabolic steroids including the horse steroid Equipoise (boldenone).  She also reportedly tested positive for oxandrolone, (Anavar) and the weak androgen DHEA.  Now, Ms Coram hired a law firm to represent her interests in this controversy.  Story carried in her local newspaper -- the Selkirk Journal.  (note the active controversy ensuing after our prior post on the event)

Julie Coram’s reign as Miss Fitness Manitoba may be going from the stage to the courts.
The former Selkirk resident has employed the services of New York law firm Collins, McDonald & Gann to defend her rights in a drug test dispute after allegedly testing positive for steroids at a physique competition in May.

In a press release forwarded to the Selkirk Journal Monday, attorney Michael J. DiMaggio claims the positive drug test administered at the Ainsley McSorley FAME Model Search Championships were unreliable and have damaged his client’s reputation.

“We’re just beginning to look at the facts of this case but our initial examination reveals a testing process that is so vague and lacking in controls that the results are profoundly suspect,” DiMaggio said.

Coram, who was named 2008 Miss Fitness Manitoba at the Manitoba Amateur Body Building Association provincial championship on May 31, was tested after winning the female muscle model category at the FAME event one week earlier.

The FAME World Tour promotes itself as a natural fitness circuit along with its sanctioning body, the World Natural Sports Organization. Coram was reportedly red flagged by FAME judges who asked for a urine sample.

It now appears there is controversy about the testing procedure.  Once again, forensics rears it's ugly statutory head.

According to FAME anti-doping officials, Coram was found to have three steroids or steroid derivatives in her system, including one sometimes used to treat injured horses.

Once test results were confirmed by the World Natural Sports Organization, Coram was stripped of her FAME title, her pro card and banned from competition by the WNSO.

Coram remains Miss Fitness Manitoba however, at least for the time being. Because she wasn’t tested at the provincial event – and because the FAME results weren’t known before she was crowned Miss Manitoba – the MABBA is awaiting legal advice on whether to accept the FAME results. They have turned the matter over to the Canadian Body Building Federation and the sport’s national governing body, the Canadian Centre of Ethics in Sport.
MABBA competitors are part of a pool of individuals who could be tested randomly at any time by the CCES. The MABBA tests only randomly however due to the expense – reportedly $400 per test.

MABBA officials have openly questioned the FAME test’s validity, a stance that was mirrored in DiMaggio’s press release.

“Elite amateur organizations like the IOC, CBBF and IFBB could hardly take these results seriously,” DiMaggio said.

(more after the jump) (We will also check to see if the anabolic androgens are metabolites of any supplements.)

Now the answer to the forensic challenge.  As we said repeatedly, when sports goes the forensic route, the issue takes forever to determine (remember Floyd Landisr, who is still 'on the bubble').

e loaded and marked before being shipped off to a U.S. lab.

He also said Coram – like all FAME competitors – signed a legal document prior to the competition saying she was a natural or clean athlete.

Kippel added the idea that results were possibly tampered with is absurd.

“What is the basis for that?” he said. “We’re not telling the MABBA or anybody else to ban her. We are banning her. If they don’t put much faith in the testing, that’s fine.”

Kippel also pointed out that nowhere in DiMaggio’s press release is there a steroid use denial.

“Normally, if someone was to refute results from any drug test they would immediately have another taken at an independent lab at their own expense to clear it up, but this was not the case,” Kippel said.

“This is not like making a mistake and taking some over the counter cold medication. This is a substance that is foreign to the body. It shouldn’t be there.”

Comments

[Millard Baker]

As I mentioned in my comment on your original story, the FAME testing is a joke.

http://grg51.typepad.com/steroid_nation/2008/06/female-bodybuil.html#comment-119679238

According to FAME, if it's legal, then they consider it natural. They only ban "illegal substances." ACtually, according to their rules, even that isn't true. They only ban supplements that CAN NOT BE PURCHASED OVER THE COUNTER at a sports nutrition/supplement store.

If ONLY non-OTC substances are banned, this technically means that steroids (steroidal supplements) are permitted if they are sold OTC.

If an athlete ONLY takes OTC supplements and tests positive, then that is a FALSE NEGATIVE.

Collins, McDonald & Gann will take FAME to task for their incompetent, inconsistent and hypocritical rules and regulations on steroids, natural competition, and legal OTC supplements.

[Millard Baker]

OMG, the FAME website actually acknowledges the incompetence of the urinalysis and the problem with FALSE NEGATIVES due to OTC steroidal supplements ("new methods... on the market")!!

Their foolproof solution to this problem: Physique Screening and Voice Stress Analysis! Too bad the IOC and WADA didn't think of that!

In the beginning urine testing was the only method that was proven to catch those who were trying to ‘get by’ the system. However, WNSO soon discovered that urine testing alone was not an effective measure since the test results only came back after the contest had ended allowing those who were not natural to still get the spotlight on stage taking away from those who were actually deserving. As well, new methods appeared on the market that made it much easier for athletes to provide a false negative test result.
Soon afterwards, WNSO implemented the Voice Stress Analysis Testing that was used by the Israeli Army at border crossings. They looked into Lie Detectors and Hair Follicle Tests but were not impressed with the amount of inaccurate readings that could occur. Blood Testing is too invasive and not allowed by certain religions.

Then in 2006, WNSO introduced the Physique Screening Panel as a method to ensure only those who had a natural looking physique would place well at the events. The Panel, made up of qualified WNSO officials and judges, is still the method adhered to today as the stage has never been more ‘clean’. The Panel evaluates every single athlete for signs that may indicate use of any banned substance. Should anyone show signs, or suggestions of usage, the Panel can take them into private screening rooms for further evaluation and actual questioning. If everyone on the Panel unanimously agrees that an athlete in question would not fair well in a contest for natural athletes, that athlete is not permitted to compete. All other athletes who the Panel is cautious about will then be subject to Urine Testing &/or the Voice Stress Analysis Testing.

I'm certain even Dick Pound is shaking his head in bewilderment!

[tim]

what a looser
she has her head so far up her ass wow!
big shot hey Julie??Big New York Law firm.....u are pathetic
just say you are sorry already

[Pamela]

this is embarrasing. i already received an e-mail where she admitted to taking illegal "supplements." just admit you were wrong and leave it at that already.

[jamie]

Pam,
You recieved an email from julie admiting what she did?

[Jewels]

Good afternoon,
>
> Though I realize that it is likely that many of you have already formed your opinion about this situation, I feel it is necessary to share with you my side of the unfortunate news that iscirculating around the gyms and coming events.
>
> On May 24/08 at the Winnipeg FAME competition, I was singled out from all of the athletes in the show and tested for banned substances. The testing methods were questionable and were done by a stage hand without any paperwork or forms. This week, the test results came back as positive for clenbuterol (brief description: http://ifitandhealthy.com/clenbuterol-for-weight-loss ). Clenbuterol is not a steriod, but is a widely used (and unofficially accepted) fat-burner amongst many MABBA & CBBF athletes. The levels of clenbuterol found in my system were slightly above what is legally allowed, and it is important to note that the supplement was only used for three weeks.
>
> Questionable supplements have never before been a part of my contest preparation, however as
> many of you know, this year I fractured both of my ankles only four weeks before I was set to step on stage. After intense training for over a year in anticipation of my 2008 season, I was absolutely devastated to be held back with an injury. Seeking online advice from FAME Pros led me to believe that this supplement was ALSO widely used and accepted amongst FAME and its advanced athletes to streamline their fat loss. (I was entering FAME with false information that I would be competing at advanced levels in ALL categories.) I take full responsibility for making the wrong choice and realize now that it is not accepted in FAME to use this supplement - rather it is simply that FAME cannot catch everyone. I have apologized directly to the athletes who were affected by my decision to compete at the FAME show, and feel terribly that I entered the show with an advantage that is not accepted in that organization.
>
> I hope that this helps everyone to understand and forgive this regrettable situation and trust that my
> reputation and relationship with the local fitness community & my friends won't be completely tarnished because of one mistake.
>
> Thank you for your time & support,
> Jewels

Your reputation is already shattered. And if you think for one minute, that most people will buy your sh*& and what you just posted, you are wrong.

What about the other substances? No comments on those?

And for christ sake already, use your real name, which is Julie in case you forgot, because you are far from a Jewel in this sport.

[manny]

Avoid supplements that have not been around for longer than 3 years. I learned this phisophy from an Australian strength coach who recommended not trying any supplement until it has been around at least 3 years to pass the test of time. This will make your life much easier and help you avoid all the marketing hoopla in the latest fitness and bodybuilding magazine. [Continue Reading]

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I don't think using steroids is legal if you are joining a competition like that.

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