Steroid benefits are sometimes surpassed by its bad reputation in professional sports. Steroids are not only intended to gain competitive advantage in any competition but there are also other uses especially in the treatment of injuries and other medical conditions. With the continuous research on anabolic steroids, the list for its medical use is also expanding. It can be used to treat common infections to a more complex medical condition such as cancer. However, steroid use in the field of sports is a risky thing to do since most sports organization does not allow its players or athletes to use steroids. Even if it will be used to treat some injuries, a positive test result will definitely accompany sanctions and penalty.

The latest case of athlete suspended for anabolic steroid use is track cyclist Mohd Fauzan Lufti of Malaysia. His suspension was caused by a 19-norandrosterone steroid, a metabolite of nandrolone. This was according to the anti-doping agency of Malaysia. The 23 year-old cyclist failed a steroid test during a Mini-Olympics held last month. When the test result was disclosed, Lufti was recalled from Melbourne, Australia where he is undergoing the elite training programme of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation.

Lufti said in a statement that he took the steroid nandrolone to treat his knee injury. His desire to be included in the selection process for the upcoming 2012 Olympics may just end up in vain because of the suspension. “My knee was taking an unusually long time to recover and the Mini Olympics, which was the selection meet for the Asian Championships, was coming up,” said Lufti in an interview with The Straits Times. He felt sorry for what he did and thinks that it is a stupid decision that he had made. Cyclist Lufti said that someone he knew recommended a medication to help speed up the healing of the tissues in the knee.

Datuk Naim Mohamad, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) deputy president said that he was saddened and shocked by the report. To protect the reputation of the sport, Mohamad said that they have to act immediately on the case of Lufti. “The MNCF’s stand and position is very clear. We have raised cycling to world standards on merit and we will not entertain those who want to join our ranks by other means.”

The federation already asked Lufti if he wants an appeal on the result of his A sample but the cyclist chose to rest his case and waive his chance to contest the result. “He is no longer in the programme and his benefits have been withdrawn. We are waiting for the official letter and he will receive a two-year suspension in accordance with international rules,” Mohamad said. “We cannot allow one bad apple to spoil the basket and tarnish the good name of Malaysian cycling. There is no short cut to success in high performance sport like track cycling,” he added.

Lufti was part of the gold medal winning team of the 2005 Manila SEA Games. He won the gold medal for the individual event in the Mini-Olympics which assured him a slot in the national elite programme of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation. But taking steroid nandrolone changed his career in the sport which gave him prestige.

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