What’s with all the hCG? »
In the last year we have seen two significant positive tests in professional athletics for hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin). Although most people assume that the players were coming off a steroid cycle and had used hCG as way to jump start their own testosterone production. Not a bad assumption – but if you were to [...]
TMZ takes a shot at Jay Cutler »
TMZ, echoing common sentiment among the non-steroid using populace, decided to take a shot at Jay Cutler, Mr. Olympia, calling him a “former human” and poking fun at the fact that he “willingly did this” to his body. But this is nothing new to Mr. Cutler, who prior to winning the Mr. Olympia title, admitted [...]
The Courson Plan for drug testing in Football »
The reality was obvious: American football was beset by muscle doping and related systemic problems at all levels by the 2000s, professional, collegiate, and secondary school. The primary evidence was increasing sizes, the documented history of anabolic drugs in football [steroids from about 1960 followed by human growth hormone, clenbuterol, GHB, IGF-1, and more], and [...]
Steroid use unpreventable in high school football »
As the high schools of America were drawn into national debate on anabolic steroids, prep coaches and officials maintained that use was minimal. Politicians and media expressed outrage, proclaiming that kids mattered while denouncing pro athletes as poor role models. Studies concluded teens used steroids, and kids said the drugs were accessible and becoming more [...]
Charlie Francis, track coach, steroid expert, passes away »
Charlie Francis, who was diagnosed with lymphoma five years ago, 61, died at Sunnybrook Hospital on Wednesday afternoon. Francis was the Canadian 100-meter champion in 1970, ’71 and ’73. His personal best of 10.1 seconds was established at the Pan American Games trials in 1971. Francis became first became a world-wide household name when an [...]
Increasing body sizes in football »
There existed no evidence of systemic muscle doping in American football—so said insiders, media, and fans. That was the basic public excuse during the problem’s first 50 years. Approaching 2010, America continued to avoid potentially painful reform over drugs in football, preferring instead to gorge on the nationalistic blood sport as it stood. The smoking-gun [...]
The Steroid Era: behind us? »
One of the take-aways from Bud Selig’s official statement was that he believes the Steroid Era to be behind us. I’m not so sure, but I’m no chemist. Luckily, I happen to know someone who is familar with the bleeding edge of performance enhancing drugs. I asked Anthony Roberts his thoughts on what Bud Selig [...]
Science dispute over GH isoform test »
It’s shadow boxing so far, the so-called debate over science of rhGH testing for pro athletes in America, as opponents shout from across the mat. Staying put in one corner, the anti-doping agencies claim they stand on sound science in their current Olympic blood test for recombinant human growth hormone. Posturing in the other corner, [...]
Human Growth Hormone testing comes to the Minor Leagues »
An important first step has been taken: HGH testing is coming to the minor leagues. Over the past decade, the minor leagues have been the place where Commissioner Bud Selig has introduced new steps against the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The majority of minor leaguers are not members of the players union, which has allowed [...]
Human Growth Hormone: FAQ »
The New York Times recently published an article announcing a new anti-doping test for HGH. This gives us an opportunity to write a Q&A post, so that you’ll all be experts on HGH doping and HGH testing. I’m half-serious, by the way. The quality of reporting on doping issues is so terrible, you can read [...]
