Patrick Arnold criticizes the government’s prosecution of famous athletes such as Barry Bonds and Lance Armstrong in a new article on his website. Patrick is the organic chemist who introduced previously undetectable designer steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) to the world of competitive sports. He discusses the public apathy towards steroids use in sports, the use of taxpayer money to fund the steroid witch-hunt, and the relevance of the steroid-related doping investigations. Among other things, he states that prosecuting Lance Armstrong doesn’t change the reality of doping in cycling. [Read more...]
Greek Weightlifters Test Positive for Anabolic Steroid Methyltrienolone
April 24, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Eleven of the fourteen members of the Greek National Weightlifting Team have tested positve for the anabolic steroid methyltrienolone. Both samples A and B were positive for the steroid. This will likely result in the expulsion of the entire Greek Weightlifting Team from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Methyltrienolone is a very toxic oral anabolic steroid. However, reports by the Athens News that methytrienolone killed 200 bodybuilders in the 1960s are ludicrous. Researchers at the University of Bonn (Germany) blocked its commercial release in 1966 due to its high hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity). Professor Demetrios Kouretas (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Thessaly) told Steroid Report he worked with the toxic steroid methyltrienolone as part of his postdoctoral thesis at the University of Harvard. [Read more...]
Analysis of Tammy Thomas Verdict
April 10, 2008 By Leave a Comment
The jury verdict in cyclist Tammy Thomas’ perjury trial is factually and legally inconsistent. Most reports suggest the case was a “slam dunk” by the government with anywhere from strong to overwhelming evidence against Thomas.
The fact that Thomas was acquitted on two perjury charges is very significant. It may not be significant for Thomas, but it is significant in showing that the jury did not understand the law.
Basically, the jury determined that Tammy Thomas did NOT receive “banned or illegal performance-enhancing drugs” (i.e. legally-defined anabolic steroids) from Patrick Arnold. (Count 2)
They also determined that Tammy Thomas did NOT “ever get an anabolic steroid from anybody” (at least “up to the time of March 2002″). (Count 5)
But then they believed she was GUILTY of TAKING STEROIDS. (Count 4)
How did Tammy Thomas take steroids if she didn’t EVER get them from ANYBODY?! [Read more...]
Steroids and Dietary Supplement Regulation
February 6, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Several blogs have been discussing Neil Levin’s criticism of inaccuracies reported by CNN. Levin strongly criticized CNN for “preposterous,” “erroneous,” and otherwise “false claims” that dietary supplements are “unregulated” and/or free of “government supervision.” His blog entry goes on to cite the many ways that dietary supplements are regulated by the government. The lengthy entry, with several quotes from regulatory agencies gives the impression that the dietary supplement industry is tightly regulated.
While CNN is technically inaccurate, it is closer to the truth than Levin’s advocacy would suggest. From a consumer standpoint, I feel it is safer to assume that dietary supplements are unregulated. Most regulations are actually “post-marketing” measures i.e. very little prevents a new supplement from being sold in the marketplace. [Read more...]
Cyclist Tammy Thomas Awaits Jury Verdict
The jury in cyclist Tammy Thomas’
dopingperjury trial did not reach a verdict after the first day of deliberations (“Thomas jury deliberations to continue,” April 3).I am certain that Tammy Thomas is anxiously awaiting the verdict. Not only is her freedom in jeopardy but also a future career as an attorney. She has been silent about the case and has not spoken to the media; however, she has been very outspoken in her fashion statements outside the courtroom where she was photographed wearing a San Francisco Giants baseball cap, no doubt in support of other athletes who have been targeted for perjury by this federal investigation. [Read more...]