Despite improvements in steroids and drug testing, in general, Victor Conte still believes that more than half of the semi-finalists in the London 2012 Olympics will likely use illegal drugs at some stage of their training.

According to an interview conducted in celebration of the 10^th anniversary of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Conte believes that cheating in sports, through performance-enhancing drugs is still rampant.

Interviewers asked Conte about his opinion as to how many of the sprinters who were able to make it to the semi-finals may have possibly used steroids, he replied by using the term “an overwhelming majority”.

Conte used to own a tiny laboratory in the outskirts of San Francisco. The lab may have been tiny, but Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative became big news due to the steroids scandal in 2003 that continues its “legacy” in the sporting world, destroying careers of hundreds of athletes, even including his own.

Some of Conte’s prominent clients include Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery. Both made their way to the Olympics and even earned medals with the help of BALCO products.

Conte said he regretted getting involved in doping and would like to make amends by contributing his knowledge in doping and steroids.

From Reuters:

MONTREAL (Reuters) - Cheating is still rife in sport despite improved testing and more than half the sprint semi-finalists at the London 2012 Olympics are likely to use illegal drugs at some stage of their preparations, says Victor Conte, the man at the heart of the BALCO doping scandal.

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It has been several months since most of us heard the word “steroids” in the sporting world, a fact that has brought a big smile on the faces of sporting and doping officials. In early February this year, there were anonymous sources reporting that Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) had used performance enhancing drugs to deliver dramatic performances on the field. Then, there were claims by the lawyers involved in the BALCO investigation that David Ortiz was one of the players who had tested positive in 2003.

From News.Yahoo.com:

It is no coincidence that, for the most part, sports writers broke their steroid stories during the off-season when there is not much baseball news around. Of course, when an anonymous source dumps the Ortiz leak during the season, it must be played when it appears. Red Sox fans were worried about Big Papi’s failure to start playing the game until two months into the 2009 season. The drug testing story offered an explanation for Ortiz’s lackluster performance. It happened to all players who had to go off “the stuff.” The faithful rallied to Papi’s side. Since then he has had his usual spectacular year, although his batting average never recovered. No one has bothered to say “never mind” about the drug accusations.

The only steroid news since the shameful accusations against David Ortiz has been the court ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in August on a suit brought by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Federal authorities had seized all the 2003 drug-testing records as part of their BALCO investigation, although their subpoena only referenced information related to ten players. Chief Judge Alex Kozinski, normally a staunch conservative on criminal matters, castigated the Bush henchmen: “This was an obvious case of deliberate overreaching by the government in an effort to seize data as to which it lacked probable cause.” Perhaps the government could not tell the difference between ten records and a hundred. It is refreshing to know that the Fourth Amendment is still part of the sacred covenant that is our Bill of Rights.

It appears that the news of steroids is often broken down during the off-season to keep public interest. After all, publicity, good or bad, seems to be working these days and if the publicity is centered up on a celebrity, people tend to take more interest than ever.

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A team of researchers involved in ascertaining the impact of anabolic steroid use on power lifters years after the use is no longer prevalent has found that changes in the shoulder and quadriceps attained by steroid use tend to stay with steroid users years after discontinuation of steroids.

It is noteworthy to note here that anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones that are derived from testosterone, the male hormone and their use has much been in debate in professional sports where muscle strength is paramount.

From Sciencedaily.com:

Findings

The researchers found that several years after anabolic steroid withdrawal, and with no or low current strength-training, the muscle fiber area intensity, the number of nuclei per fiber in the quadriceps was still comparable to that of athletes that were currently performing high intensity strength-training. They also discovered that the shoulder-neck fiber areas were comparable to high-intensity trained athletes and the number of nuclei per fiber was even higher than found in the current steroid-using group.

Conclusions

According to the lead researcher, Dr. Eriksson, ”It is possible that the high number of nuclei we found in the muscle might be beneficial for an athlete who continues or resumes strength training because increased myonuclei opens up the possibility of increasing protein synthesis, which can lead to muscle mass.”  He added, “Based on the characteristics between doped and non-doped power lifters, we conclude that a period of anabolic steroid usage is an advantage for a power lifter in competition, even several years after they stop taking a doping drug.”

It is evident from this study that even a period of anabolic steroid usage is more than enough to be an advantage for a power lifter in competitive events, even after passage of several years after doping has been discontinued by the power lifter.

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With news coming almost on a fortnightly basis about a professional sportsmen or celebrity using steroids for attaining lean muscle mass and/or staying ahead of the competition, things are surely under a dark cloud as far as the usage of steroids is concerned.

In the worlds of professional sports and bodybuilding, the use of steroids is not new. It almost seems that every one was doping until the steroid testing protocols came into the picture. Despite tall claims by doping testing, more and more sportsmen and individuals are using steroids to get that feel of ‘invincibility’ even today.

From SteroidTimes.com:

In a recent study done by Strahm et al at the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses not very reliable (1). They examined the T/E ratio and its variances between ethnic groups because of a testosterone over epitestosterone (T/E) ratio exceeding 4.0 is considered as suspicious of testosterone administration, irrespectively of individual heterogeneous factors such as the athlete’s ethnicity. Strahm and colleagues found that a deletion polymorphism in the UGT2B17 gene was demonstrated to account for a significant part of the inter-individual variability in the T/E between Caucasians and Asians. By estimation of the prevalence of the UGT2B17 deletion/deletion genotype (African: 22%; Asian: 81%; Caucasian: 10%; Hispanic: 7%), ethnic-specific thresholds were developed for a specificity of 99% for the T/E (African: 5.6; Asian: 3.8; Caucasian: 5.7; Hispanic: 5.8).

In other words the group at the Swiss doping lab found out that a blanket T/E ratio is not accurate enough for the testing protocol and that “significant differences have been observed between all ethnic groups.” There conclusion was “that an athlete’s endocrinological passport consisting of a longitudinal follow-up together with the ethnicity and/or the genotype would strongly enhance the detection of testosterone abuse.”

It is high time that either steroids be allowed or banned as a middle path just do not seem to work any more. Moreover, it will allow steroid users to “enjoy” a level-playing field.

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Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) was a new thing for the world of doping till the time a spent syringe was not anonymously provided to USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency).

But after it was provided, Don Catlin and his team of researchers at the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory in Los Angeles were able to crackdown chemical formula of the substance inside the spent syringe.

The best part of this story is that plans to curb use of this steroid have already been formulated by development of accurate urine detection test for the same.

From News-Medical.Net:

Urine samples were purposely spiked with the newly identified THG and various analyses carried out to determine how the substance could be detected. Although it is not detectable by standard doping control screening, THG was found to be easily detectable by alternate methods. Once detection methods were established, the substance was administered to a baboon both intravenously and intramuscularly, and its excreted urine collected for analysis. It was determined that THG is detectable in urine after both IV and IM administration.

The designer drug identified in this study is different from anabolic steroids previously found in athletes’ urine samples. The Food and Drug Administration has warned that its use could pose health risks, and it cannot be legally marketed without approval.

Lead researcher Catlin attributes this discovery to the provision of crucial inside information, and believes it to be a valuable contribution to doping control. He says, “Now that there’s a test for THG, anyone using it can get caught, and it’s unlikely to be found again in an athlete’s urine sample.”

THG, which is considered to be different than other types of anabolic steroids, cannot be detected in routine doping tests but can be tracked down with IV and IM administration.

The discovery of this synthetic designer steroid has given a respite to doping scientists who always want to stay ahead of doping sportsmen.

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According to a research published today in the Journal Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, a new technique can offer a new dimensional approach in spotting use of banned substances by athletes.

This technique is expected to help doping staff and drug officials to distinguish between the presence of synthetically manufactured and naturally occurring human steroids in the body. It is interesting to note here that though naturally occurring and synthetic steroids are somehow similar in nature, there seems to be a difference in the ratio of ‘heavy’ carbon to ‘light’ carbon they contain.

From News-Medical.Net:

The new approach, developed by scientists from Imperial College London and the University of Nottingham, allows easy analysis of the carbon ratio. It uses a catalytic reaction to strip steroids of their more aggressive parts whilst leaving the carbon ’skeleton’ intact. This technique, called hydropyrolysis, is commonly used to aid oil exploration by freeing small fragments of organic matter from petroleum rock sources.

Dr Mark Sephton, from Imperial’s Department of Earth Science and Engineering and lead author of the research, explained: “The type of carbon in the body’s molecules reflects the carbon ingested as part of an athlete’s diet, and if you can work out the carbon ratio in the molecules you can determine the source of the carbon.

“Drug cheats should beware. The carbon-based secrets of steroids are now apparent to the analyst. Thanks to our technique, in the future it will be much more difficult to escape detection when using performance-enhancing steroids“, he added.

The next step of researchers is to extend the present findings onto pure samples of steroid molecules. It is believed that the new technique will help in curbing use of steroids in sports to enhance the image of sports, which has been tarnished by steroid-taking athletes and other sportsmen in the last few years.

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According to a recently concluded study by researchers from France that was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, children as young as eleven are using drugs to improve their on-field performance. This clearly suggests that steroids have also reached hands of the young children who are willing to take on steroids with an aim to win.

In the last few years, the growing bond of steroids and sports has amazed all. This is primarily because steroids have been helping sportsmen to deliver dramatic performance on a consistent basis without feeling fatigue.

From News-Medical.Net:

The French team found that more than one per cent of eleven year olds admitted to using performance enhancing drugs to do better in sports but by age 15, the number had increased from 1.2 to 3% and they were then being used on a regular basis.

While 62% of eleven years olds used doping agents less than once per month, at 15 the same number were using them at least every week and 24% on a daily basis.

Most commonly used to improve sporting prowess was the drug salbutamol, which was taken by 45% of users; 10% took corticosteroids and 6% cannabis and other stimulants and 38% anabolic agents.

Boys were more likely to take the drugs than girls and 4% experienced health problems, because of doping including becoming violent, changes to the voice and loss of consciousness.

Drug use was linked to sex, number of hours of practice per week, intention to use, other drug use, low self-esteem and anxiety.

It can be easily concluded from the above discussions that the use of steroids has now reached almost every home. The fact that steroids are not harmful when used according to medical advice and are easily available make them closer to young children, who want to taste ’success’ with every attempt.

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According to a major four-decade review by three of the World’s leading experts on doping in sport, scientists are trying their level best to stop steroid or drug-taking athletes to use performance enhancing drugs or undergo genetic manipulation.

According to Professor Don Catlin, Founder and former Director of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory at the University of California, USA, and CEO of the Anti-Doping Research Institute, one of the cardinal features of doping is that some athletes may experiment with new substances to enhance performance.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Remarkable advances have been made over the last 40 years which have allowed sports authorities to identify and sanction athletes who have misused a wide range of drugs, most of which were developed to treat diseases” says Professor Ljungqvist. “More recently drugs have been produced and used to specifically enhance athletic performance and avoid detection.

“At the same time strict regulations have been developed to ensure that athletes with a proven clinical need can still receive the prescription drugs they need without fear of sanctions.”

“This major review by Professors Catlin, Ljungqvist and Fitch provides a concise description of the history of drug testing for the Olympic Games, with fascinating details on the evolution of laboratory equipment and analytical strategies” says Dr Thomas H Murray, President and CEO of The Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute based in New York.

“It identifies failings of the overall anti-doping system - most of them out of the laboratories control - and describes a number of challenges to be confronted.

“And it also shows us that there are five elements that are necessary for a successful anti-doping programme. These are: a strong commitment to - and sufficient funding for - research, a smart sampling strategy, adequate analytical capacity, a trustworthy adjudication process and a solid foundation of clear principles and transparent process.”

Catlin further said that there is need to develop tests before news of a new drug or steroid misused by athletes for enhancing performance is heard by them.

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In the world of professional sports, doping has always been a much-talked topic that has been able to attract attention of sportsmen as well as the general public. But still after WADA made it clear that a sportsman needs to be fair and strong to ethics, a large number of players are seen abusing steroids.

Let us have a clear understanding of doping to have a clear and complete understanding of the same.

From Whitehousedrugpolicy.gov:

Doping is the use of a substance that artificially enhances athletic performance. These substances often pose a significant risk to the health and well-being of athletes. The use of performance-enhancing drugs undermines the ideals of sports and devalues and debases the rewards of competition. Despite the range of health risks and ethical implications, many athletes at both the professional and amateur levels use these dangerous substances.

One of the most effective ways to combat doping is by supporting and working collaboratively with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). WADA was established to harmonize and coordinate an effective international program to detect, deter, and prevent doping. The United States plays a leadership role in WADA, serving on WADA’s governing board and on many working committees. The United States is the largest funder of the organization and was also recently elected to represent the entire 41-nation region of the Americas on WADA’s Executive Committee.

The awareness drive, initiated by the United States Government, will surely bring a complete awareness about steroids and the consequences of steroids in sports.

But the thing that cannot be completely ruled out that till then, steroids would have been almost impossible to pull down from sports. The doubts are increasing in their numbers as professional athletes, all over the world, are now recognizing the fact there seems to be a great possibility to allow steroids in sports.

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Swiss studies with approval from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have brought to light the fact that ethnic variations might cause testosterone doping tests in sport to be unsuitable. While some might raise questions over this, studies do reveal significant differences in testosterone levels in athletes from different geographical origins.

Examined at Lausanne, Switzerland, the results indeed reveal a unique but non specific basis to evidence the misuse of steroid testosterone is not appropriate for the purpose. The tests were performed on athletes from four major geographic origins which primarily included Hispanics, Caucasians, Africans and Asians.

From thaindian.com:

The current doping test in sport for the steroid testosterone is not suitable because of ethnic variations, a Swiss study has revealed.

The study was commissioned by FIFA and carried out among 171 players around the world. The study revealed “significant differences” in the so-called testosterone-epitestosterone ratio with which the use of synthetic testosterone is to be detected.

The official WADA benchmark of 4:1 was surpassed by Hispanics (5.8:1), Caucasians (5.7:1) and Africans (5.6:1) while Asians registered 3.8:1 in the tests after steroids were added to their urine samples.

Furthermore, as an alternative, it suggested that a biological passport could prove to be a better replacement for the current test methods for cases with suspicious levels of natural testosterone. However, it was also argued that different people release different levels of testosterone and so the studies would need stronger grounds to prove its findings.

Where the introduction of biological report was not entirely negated, Wilfred Schaenzer, the head of the doping lab in Cologne, Germany stated that the isotope test can still determine that the synthetic testosterone was added or not.

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