The French Anti Doping Agency (AFLD) reported Wednesday that most of the French athletes that they tested returned a positive result for a banned steroid. The results showed a high concentration of an anti-ageing pill which were found on almost 15 percent of the athletes. The supplement is named as DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone). This was discovered in the hair samples of the athletes tested by the French Anti-Doping Agency.

A natural steroid hormone, DHEA or Dehydroepiandrosterone is produced from cholesterol by the adrenal glands and is chemically similar to testosterone and estrogen. This is easily converted to those hormones.

The AFLD were alarmed on the big number of athletes found to be using DHEA. Although the French Anti Doping Agency will not take any disciplinary action against those athletes but their sports organization or league were informed about the results. The AFLD did not disclose the names of athletes at this moment since the test is not yet part of their official doping tests.

AFLD President Pierre Bordry told a news conference that it is the first time they do this kind of test and it is more important to tell them to stop endangering their health than to punish them.

Bordry also noted that there could be an organized doping going on. “There are doping patterns that seem to be organised so that we cannot find anything during a competition,” Bordry told Reuters. Bordry added that, “It is the impression we have. I have been surprised by the levels (of DHEA) and by the fact that they were more or less the same. It is not a coincidence, it means that there are some people advising the athletes (to take DHEA).”

Heads of other sports organization were also surprised with the results. Pierre Camou, president of the French Rugby Federation was also worried about the results. “I can’t accept that a man is putting his health at risk. I can’t accept that the glory of winning titles leads people to do this.” Further, Camou said, “I am very happy that everyone knows that liars are paying for what they are doing but also that those who are attracted by the lure of this are putting their life in danger.”

The test conducted in 2008 is limited since every test will cost the anti doping agency 500 euros. Of the 138 athletes tested randomly in 2008 from football, rugby, cycling and athletics, 22 were found to have traces of banned substances. 18 athletes were positives for DHEA and 3 for anabolic steroids testosterone according to the report.

Of all the sports, French football returns the highest percentage of positive DHEA. 21.8% or 7 footballers out of 32 showed traces of DHEA or raised levels of testosterone. In cycling, there were 4 out of 37, rugby; 5 out of 30 and athletics; 3 out of 22.

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