Another rider tested positive for performance-enhancing drug. That’s nothing new. In fact, that does not constitute news in the world of cycling. Now, if that’s another way around – a rider winning a tournament without using performance boosters – that would be an eye-popping news.

From the Virgin Media:

World road race champion Marta Bastianelli has failed a doping test, the Italian cycling federation confirmed on Monday.

The Italian rider tested positive for illegal stimulant flenfluramine following a drug test on July 5 at the European under-23 championship in Verbania.

The sample will now be sent for a counter-analysis.

It is expected Bastianelli will be replaced for the Olympic Games.

Gianni Petrucci, president of  the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) was damning of Bastianelli, saying she had “betrayed” her colleagues.

Betrayed? We think that’s such a strong word to use. You see, cycling and performance-enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids and erythropoietin (EPO), are inseparable tandem. Remember the Festina Affair?

The Festina Affair took place in Tour de France 1998 in Ireland where a string of investigations and reluctant confessions exposed a systematic and massive doping activity by those high-paid professional cyclists. It is so called because it started from the discovery of cache of doping paraphernalia in a vehicle belonging to the Festina team then snowballed to other participating teams. Investigators found several hundred grams of anabolic steroids, EPO, syringes – you name it, the Festina Team got it.

The Festina Affair gave birth to the World Anti-Doping Agency, the Big Brother of the doping world.  That’s why now John Fahey fulfils a crusading role internationally rather an obscure government post in Australia. And that’s why now competitive athletes blame Bruno Roussel, et al., for the inception of WADA – the bane of their profession.

“If the analysis is confirmed we will be inflexible. Marta Bastianelli has betrayed CONI, the federation and the world of cycling,” he told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

“We will also have to weigh up the eventual damage to the image of Italian sport, seeing as she had already signed the contract all Azzurri athletes heading to Beijing had to sign.”

The president of the Italian cycling federation, Renato Di Rocco, was less harsh in his view of the outcome, and revealed the federation would request more tests.

“She has been incredibly naive,” said Di Rocco. “She has tested positive for flenfluramine, which is a component in diet products. She only eats salad.

“Now we will immediately call for a counter-analysis. But the problem is not only the Olympics, which she as world champion was obviously due to take part in. The problem is for her image and for that of cycling.”

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Laughter is not always the best medicine, especially in the case of Christopher Laughter who was sentenced to five-month prison term for Medicare fraud and illegal possession of anabolic steroids.

Apparently, Laughter has always been in a convivial mood – except during his sentencing, of course – so that he was able to con several healthcare programs, including Medicare.
And there’s more. The penitent Laughter was also able to get a plea agreement with prosecutors. He was originally charged with 27-count indictment, which could have put him away for life in some prison cell, crying away the hours for sure.

From the State.com of South Carolina:

Christopher Laughter cried Monday in federal court in Columbia as he apologized for defrauding Medicare and illegally possessing steroids at his Northeast Richland clinic where men were treated for erectile dysfunction.

“As a result of my actions, both my wife and two daughters have been miserable,” said Laughter, of Lexington County. “I’m sorry. I ask the court to have mercy on me.”
Laughter, 50, the former owner of National Men’s Health Clinic on Blarney Road, was sentenced to five months in prison and five months of home confinement.

While Laughter originally was charged in a 27-count indictment that could have put him in prison for life, he reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie also ordered that Laughter’s prison term be followed by three years of supervised release, that he pay nearly $28,000 in restitution, and forfeit more than $25,500.

Laughter was accused of using an expired Drug Enforcement Administration registration of a doctor who never worked at his clinic to order steroids.

In some instances, health care programs were billed for services not given, prosecutors have said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Holliday told the judge Laughter received nearly $28,000 through committing health care fraud.

His volunteer work in a city ballet group might have put him in better light in the judge’s eyes. We just wonder what the precise nature of his participation with the ballet group was. Did he serve juices during rehearsals? Oh, by that we mean orange juices not the type that makes you all juiced up (read: steroids).

One of his attorneys, Kathy Schillaci, pointed out Laughter has no prior criminal record, no longer works in health care, has a low chance of recidivism, and volunteers in church and the community, including in a city ballet group.

Laughter’s wife and about 10 friends and neighbors came to show support.

Judge Currie said she was concerned more about “the fraud aspect of the case” than steroids and said some time in custody was necessary.

Laughter is married with two daughters. His clinic, which was shut down in May 2007 after a raid by the DEA, provided testosterone injections to increase their stamina and libido.

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In preparation for the coming Summer Olympics in Beijing, and probably in response to the recent showing of a documentary in Germany about gene doping and steroid trade in China, Chinese officials are now intensifying their drive against suppliers of performance-enhancing drugs.

Those who have suffered the brunt of now embarrassed local anti-doping officials include manufacturers of steroids and peptide hormones, wholesalers, consumer outlets and websites.

The Earth Times has the complete report:

China has begun a clampdown on companies making drugs that can be used to enhance sporting performance ahead of next month’s Olympic Games in Beijing. Production bans, licence withdrawals and fines have all been used by the authorities, the national anti-doping agency (CHINADA) and other ministerial agencies reported Monday.

According to the reports, 257 companies which deal with or manufacture anabolic steroids and peptide hormones, 2,739 wholesalers and 340,000 consumer outlets were inspected.

As a result, 30 companies were ordered to suspend production while 25 firms had their licence to manufacture drugs which can be used for doping withdrawn.

Another 318 websites, which gave information on the sale of steroids and peptide
hormones, were also targeted.

“We have punished those who have broken the rules,” said Yan Jiangyung, spokeswoman for the Chinese state authority that overlooks nutrition and medicinal drugs.

Earlier this month, a German television documentary suggested that genetic doping is possible in China.

The documentary broadcast by the state-run ARD network showed a reporter, claiming to be a swimming coach, inquiring about performance- enhancing stem cell treatment for athletes in a Chinese hospital.

While Yan called on the ARD to hand over any information it had on Chinese medical practitioners who were involved in doping, a spokesman for the Health Ministry said genetic doping was not possible.

“I can say in agreement with international experts that such a therapy does not exist in China or elsewhere internationally,” said Mao Qunan.

With less than two weeks before the start of the Games, many consider the move to be a belated attempt to curb the use of these banned compounds. But China is under intense pressure from anti-doping agencies, particularly the World Anti-Doping Agency. WADA’s top gun John Fahey has been proclaiming that the 2008 Summer Olympics will be the cleanest ever.

From AFP:

Though Fahey refused to guarantee a completely drug-free Games, he said cheats are more likely to be caught by the doping agency this year than ever before.
“One has to recognise the question of doping in sport has been around now for a long time,” Fahey told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Radio.

“There’s been evidence that at successive games it’s occurred. (But) I can give this guarantee: there’s a far greater likelihood that anybody cheating or attempting to cheat in the Beijing Games will be caught than in any other time of our history.”

It is expected that around 4,500 tests for banned compounds will be implemented on participating athletes in the Beijing Olympics. This is significantly higher with those that had been carried out in Athens and Sydney, numbering to 3,700 and 2,800 tests respectively.

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World Extreme Cagefighting fighter Alexandre Noguiera failed a doping test at WEC show held on June 1. The featherweight tested positive for the anabolic steroid boldenone.

The California State Athletic Commission suspended Nogueira for a year due to the steroid use. His suspension is through May 31, 2009. He was also asked to pay a fine of $2,500 but has the option to appeal the decision.

According to CSAC Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas, Nogueira’s “A” sample was tested at Quest Diagnostics and his “B” sample was tested at Laboratoire de Controle du Dopage, a WADA certified test facility located in Laval, Quebec in Canada.

The WEC show took place at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif. In said event, Nogueira (13-5-2) lost to Jose Aldo via second-round TKO. The Brazilian fighter lost three of his past four fights.

Apparently, this is not the first case of MMA fighter testing positive for a banned substance. Many who are considered loyalties in the sport also resorted to these drugs. Sean Sherk, Royce Gracie, Josh Barnett, and Phil Baroni are just a few of those who reportedly violated anti-doping rules. Most of them have been handed down with suspension and/or pecuniary fines.

Why is there a prevalent use of these agents in MMA?

MMA is a sport where size and strength does matter. Talent and skills does not necessarily translate to triumphs; and thus, those who literally play this game resort to every means and avenues to gain an edge. Anabolic steroids and their ability to enhance the physique and performance come in handy.

MMA also is a sport where injuries are part and parcel of the profession – and we’re not talking about mere scratches or muscle cramps but bone-breaking, blood-letting injuries - anabolic steroids are used to hasten the healing process.

In the article published by American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, it is cited that anabolic steroids do have legitimate medical uses. It states: “Anabolic steroids may aid in the healing of muscle contusion injury to speed the recovery of force-generating capacity. Although anabolic steroids are considered renegade drugs, they may have an ethical clinical application to aid healing in severe muscle contusion injury, and their use in the treatment of muscle injuries warrants further research.”

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