Entering into politics is not an easy game for Senatoriable Linda McMahon, the former chief executive of the world Wrestling Entertainment or WWE. She is dragged into issues which were already settled in the past and the steroid controversies will never die as long as the nomination is not yet over. The latest issue is the alleged interoffice memo that she wrote interfering with the federal investigation 2 decades ago. It was even sensationalized when the alleged source of information was from a federal prosecutor handling the case. This news may just be politically motivated to affect the candidacy of McMahon or this may also confirm how the WWE allowed the use of steroids in professional wrestling and protected those who will be affected by the investigation.

The confidential memo, which is now accessible to the public, states that Linda McMahon ordered a WWW employee to inform the doctor prescribing illegal anabolic steroids to wrestlers that he was under investigation. In the interoffice memorandum dated Dec. 1, 1989, McMahon wrote to Pat Patterson, a former wrestler, to distance the company from Dr Zahorian, the WWE doctor who is the center of federal investigation. “Although you and I discussed before about continuing to have Zahorian act at our events as the doctor on call, I think that is now not a good idea. Vince agreed, and would like for you to call Zahorian to tell him not to come to any more of our events and to also clue him in on any action that the Justice Department is thinking of taking,” said McMahon.

During the trial of Dr Zahorian, it was also revealed that a certain Pat Patterson called him that they were being told in Washington D.C. that the wrestlers were being investigated. The doctor acted immediately and sent to his lawyer valuable documents related to his steroid prescriptions. Nevertheless, Dr. Zahorian was still convicted for 36 months imprisonment in 1991 for illegally distributing steroids. The prosecution charged him with 12 counts of distributing controlled substances. Some of the wrestlers who were found out getting steroids from the doctor were Hulk Hogan and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Vince Mcmahon who was also charge in 1994 with steroid conspiracy was later acquitted.

In the report of The Day, the prosecutor who allegedly supplied information to the McMahons is former prosecutor James J. West. He was the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District in Pennsylvania in 1989. Although the official was unnamed in McMahon’s memo, a spokesperson from the WWE confirmed to the news agency that it was indeed the former prosecutor who alerted them of the on-going investigation against the doctor, wrestlers and the McMahons. West was also the leading prosecutor on the said steroid probe.

James West already issued a statement denying that he was the source of the information. He categorically denied that he alerted the attorneys of the WWF that Dr Zahorian was under investigation especially that the alleged tip-off occurred months before the feds finished conducting controlled purchases of steroids from the doctor. “Absolutely nothing like that would have occurred,” said West.

He also argued that it would not be possible that it was from a fundraising activity where he allegedly shared the information. Since he was an appointed federal official, he was barred in attending such gathering especially if it is a political event. Since Dr Zahorian was arrested March 27, 1990, the prosecutor would not provide any information before that date as what allege in the memo. “Not at that point in time. When it would have come out is when the World Wrestling Federation would have been made knowledgeable by their own members, when subpoenas were being issued,” West added.

Dr. George Zahorian, an urologist, is now practicing medicine in the Harrisburg area. He declined to comment on this issue. “That is past issue I’m not going to comment on,” he said.

Almost every player caught using banned substances would immediately deny that they took it to intentionally enhance their performance. But whatever their claims are, anabolic steroids do really help increase the performance of an athlete if used properly. There are already many professional athletes that can attest to the benefits of taking steroids. However, some of them prefer to keep it to themselves since these substances were already prohibited in most professional sports organizations and taking them would lead to sanctions and a total ban from their league.

Players found using steroids were not only coming from the major league baseball or national football league. Other major sports, not just in the US but also in other countries, are also experiencing problems on how to curtail the use of these substances from their organization. The latest sport that will be added to steroid controversies is Mexican Football which recently imposed sanctions to a Monterrey team football player for taking steroids. The back-up goalkeeper of champions Monterrey, Omar Ortiz was provisionally suspended by the federation for he positive tests for steroids.

According to the Mexican Football Federation (Femexfut) the suspension came after Ortiz’ failed a doping test during the match against Pachuca on March 6. Although it did not give further details on the test but it was reported that the anabolic steroids found on Ortiz’ system were dromostanolone (masteron) and oxymetholone (anadrol). Both are banned in Mexican football. Femexfut sent the samples to Cuba Institute of Sports Medicine.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper was quick to defend himself saying that he did not know that these substances were banned in the league. “It’s a difficult situation,” Ortiz said in press statement. “I didn’t do it with any bad intentions. These are two substances they recommended to me and at no time did I think it would be harmful,” he added.

Ortiz said in an interview that he took those supplements to keep him in shape. “I don’t want to let myself get depressed… this is something that stains your curriculum (but) it’s not a drug, it was something (with which) to feel better and help my body.” Ortiz also claimed that the steroids did not give him an advantage. He used it to aid him in his regular workouts in the gym. “I always like to stay in condition, and so I go to the gym regularly to train. These supplements were to help me feel better, but without giving me an advantage. This really hurts what is happening. I didn’t do it to give myself any advantage,” Ortiz said.

Why is it that many professional athletes use dromostanolone and oxymetholone? Dromostanolone is commonly known as masteron and is usually used in the cutting cycles of most bodybuilders. This is also a potent anabolic steroids but is administered in low dosages and in conjunction with other steroids. Oxymetholone, on the other hand, is useful in promoting extensive gains in body mass. It also helps in the protection of the joints under heavy loads. It is a very potent steroid that helps in muscle building but side effects are noted if used for extended periods. This drug is also used in many medical conditions such as treatment for osteoporosis and anaemia. The brand name of Oxymetholone is Anadrol.

The latest controversy of possible rampant use of performance enhancing drugs of football players marred the reputation of most Canadian Universities football team. This lead to a massive steroid testing of players in four universities to determine the extent of steroid use. The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport will randomly test football players for performance enhancing substances and any positive result will be made public. Any violator will surely meet sanctions from the sports organization who has maintained a strong stand against the use of steroids, hgh, testosterone or any other performance enhancer in college sports.

Some players can’t restrain themselves in airing their sentiments on the issue. This is evident in the interview of Christine Rivet of the Record to CFL prospect defensive back Taurean Allen of Wilfrid Laurier. The football player can’t still understand why some football players would take a foolish gamble where it could lead to the demise of their careers and at the same time put them into greater health risks.

Taurean Allen is currently ranked number 8 in the CFL’s college draft prospects and a potential first-rounder pick. The draft will start on May 2. He said that it is better to maintain a clean life rather than resort to cheating by taking performance enhancers. “I don’t know why anyone would get into banned substances. If you cheat at anything in life, it takes away the value of your achievement. If you cheat on a test, you just won’t cherish that A-plus,” he said.

For Allen, the ease of access to these substances also influenced some players to take these drugs and supplements. Some can be purchased over-the-counter as a nutritional supplements but it contains banned substances. “The ease of access is posing a real problem,” said Allen. He suggests that student-athletes must be vigilant. He also added that he would never venture into that kind of stuff. “I don’t want to get into that stuff and develop any dependency on it. I’ll just stick to my regular protein shakes,” said the football all-star player.

Although, last week’s incident only involve 1 football player but the police investigators believe that some football players could be involve in a university wide steroid distribution ring which can be alarming. Investigation is still on going up to this moment. This is also the reason why the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) conducted their own investigation to shed light into this matter. The arrested football player of the University of Waterloo was in possession of steroids and HGH when authorities searched his home. He was already suspended.

The university already subjected their football players to steroid testing to dismiss some insinuations that most of their players are using steroids and human growth hormones. “Their entire school is branded in the eyes of some. Even though 99 per cent of their guys are probably okay, stories get mixed up and now people might think everyone must be on steroids,” said Allen. “There’s going to be a lot of questions.”

Other players who are in the CFL’s prospects lists are WLU Golden Hawk defensive end Chima Ihekwoaba, running back Mike Montoya and linebacker Giancarlo Rapanaro. UW Warriors offensive lineman Joel Reinders and lineman Michael Warner are also in the draft list.

Meanwhile, a Russian swimmer was banned by FINA for 2 years for returning a positive result for 2 anabolic steroids. The 17-year-old Nikita Leviakov competed in the national junior championships in Perm last December when she was tested for steroids. Anti-doping authorities found stanozolol and dehydrochlormethyltestosterone in his system. Leviakov suspension will end in Dec. 25, 2011 but her bid in the 2012 London Olympics is nil. The OIC does not allow athletes to compete in the Olympics if they were given a doping ban for more than 6 months. FINA also announced that Chinese swimmer Wei Kun also served his 6 months sanction for a positive result for formoterol, an asthma medication.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency or USADA already started its role in the Mayweather Jr and Shane Mosley fight by conducting random tests for steroids and other banned substances. The tests will follow the Olympic style testing where the fighters will be required to inform the agency of their whereabouts and the tests could be conducted anytime. This procedure is the first in professional boxing where a third party will test fighters for steroids. The state athletic commission will still perform its normal duties in testing the fighters for banned substances before the fight. However, it is not yet clear what will happen if the result of the NSAC will conflict with the USADA.

In the Mayweather Mosley fight which is scheduled on May 1, any positive test will be made public and both fighters agree that any boxer who test positive could be disqualified in advance of the fight, or the bout canceled, and face a two-year suspension from boxing. The type of tests include urine and blood testing which is considered as a more accurate method in determining banned substances such as steroids and HGH.

In the interview by Lem Satterfield of Fanhouse Boxing, Shane Mosley confirmed that the representative of the USADA tested him 5 times already. Chris Forberg of USADA already made random tests for his blood twice and his urine three times. Mosley said that it could be bothersome but he likes the way they do it. “I could see how fighters would not like this. I could see how fighters would not like to give blood and to be so-called harassed or to be on notice 24 hours a day, where ever you go. I could see how it could be bothersome. But at the same time, I kind of like it. It’s truly a good thing.” Mosley believe that it is good for boxing. “It will change the mentality of a lot of fighters, and what they need to do to get themselves together and to get themselves in shape. I think that it’s great. Everybody knows that you’re clean,” he said.

He was interviewed at his training camp at Big Bear Lake, California where he answered questions about the olympic style testing. Mosley admitted previously that he used “The clear” and “The Cream” in 2003. That was the time when he defeated Oscar de la Hoya for the second time in September of 2003 in Las Vegas.

The WBA welterweight champion was asked if the USADA testing is a good start for boxing. “I think it’s a great thing for the major fights. It could throw a lot of people’s fight game off because the Olympic style testing is way different from regular testing. You can’t even really go to the store and buy medicine for your cold really unless you okay it with them,” Mosley said.

He also explained that with the Olympic style testing, the boxer should be very careful of any pill or supplement that he would take. “Your test can show up dirty if you take certain types of medicines or nasal sprays. You could maybe take Claratin and your test could show up positive,” he said. He also added that before taking any medication, the anti-doping agency should be notified about it. “If you’re taking some protein and it has some kind of residue that contains something illegal, you can test positive. That doesn’t mean that you test positive for steroids, but you may test positive because there’s something in there that could just mess you up,” Mosley added.

The result of the urine and blood tests has not yet been released by the agency. The Mayweather’s camp is silent now about this Olympic blood testing. We are just wondering if Mayweather Jr. is also happy, like Mosley, on the strict procedure of the agency where they have to be informed of their whereabouts 24/7.

Customs officers in Melbourne Airport arrested a Thai woman for trying to bring huge volume of anabolic steroids in the country. Officials believe that the steroids will be sold in the black market since some of it was found in the cut-off stockings when physical search was conducted due to suspicious “bulges” around her groin. Moreover, authorities estimated that if the steroid pills will be used for personal consumption, the woman could have an inventory for at least 26 years.

In the report of TheAge, Arisa Pantaeng, a Thai golf caddy arrived on Good Friday at Melbourne Airport to meet his fiance who already planned their marriage next month. Her trip to Australia was already her 4th in the span of more than a year and the latest was sponsored by her fiance Thoredahl Shannon. According to investigator Peter Blackmore, Pantaeng was carrying 13,000 high-quality anabolic steroid tablets with a street value of $65,000. These were found on her luggage and on her stockings.

Pantaeng told the investigators that anabolic steroids were freely available in Thailand. It was not yet clear if there are already orders of steroids or to whom she would sell these drugs. She already cleared her fiance and told the authorities that he was not involved in the smuggle attempt of anabolic steroids to the country. However, it was revealed that Shannon, Pantaeng’s boyfriend, is into professional sports and worked in advertising. They also planned to put up a business in sports catering.

Pantaeng could face a maximum sentence of five years in jail if found guilty. She was out on bail but the court imposed some conditions. She was ordered to live at Frankston, report to police, surrender her passport. She was also barred to apply for any travel documents. Although this was opposed by the prosecution saying that she was charged of importing a tier 2 good, a flight risk, lack of ties to Australia and the seriousness of the charge. The Magistrate court considered the other facts of the case which include the planned marriage of Pantaeng to Shannon. The golf caddy will appear again in court in June.

Meanwhile, a doctor who is active in sports was banned by the Australian Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) for taking testosterone and other steroids. Doctor Stephen Sabine is a cyclist who competed in the April 2009 South Australian Criterium Championships. The in-competition test conducted by ASADA returned a positive result for testosterone which is classed as an anabolic steroid and is banned both in and out of competition.

The South Australian cyclist was banned from the sport for 2 years. He already waived his right to a hearing and accepted the maximum two-year ban which will end in June 19, 2011. It was also reported that Sabine took oral prednisone and prednisolone which are both glucocorticosteriods. These substances were also prohibited in cycling. Sabine started his cycling career with the Adelaide cycle club and a year later joined the South Australian Vets club.

Tiger Woods is back. After a few months of respite from his work as a professional golfer, Tiger Woods called a press conference Monday to announce his comeback in the sport which gave him fame and gave some details on the controversies that ruined his career. This time, he allowed the media to ask him questions. However, some media personnel observed that Woods statements were not that sincere and a hype. Jay Mariotti of FanHouse has this to say about Woods’ press conference. “He wanted this news conference to be the first day of the rest of his life, the beginning of a sea change in his approach to family and humankind. But my conclusion, after sitting in a humid room with 206 other journalists and listening to his orchestrated and often suspicious answers, is that he’s nowhere near a state of believability.”

There were also some questions that were not addressed by Woods saying that it’s a personal matter. Nevertheless, there are new revelations that we have learned from that press con specifically his ties with Dr. Anthony Galea. The Canadian doctor is facing charges for illegal possession of steroids and HGH. The federal authorities are currently conducting an investigation on Dr Galea for the possibility that he prescribed illegal steroids and HGH to professional athletes including Tiger Woods. In December last year, there were already speculations that Woods was probably on steroids but his camp ignored the issue.

Woods confirmed that he availed the services of Dr Galea to treat his right Achilles’ tendon in December of 2008. “I had PRP, platelet-enriched plasma treatments. As you all know, in 2008, I blew out my ACL, and part of my reconstruction with my LCL, it wasn’t reacting properly -it was a little bit stuck. And so I had the PRP injection,” Woods said. He sought the services of Dr Galea for the doctor’s expertise in platelet-rich plasma treatment. The procedure has become popular to athletes suffering from injuries because it helps them recover faster. Woods also said that there were repeated injections of PRP throughout the year because of a recurring injury. He also tried hyperbaric chambers after the injections to help in the healing process. The series of treatment from Dr Galea helped him to continue playing golf.

Tiger Woods categorically denied that he was involved in the use of steroids or HGH and that Dr Galea did not gave him steroids and HGh as part of the treatment. “He did come to my house. He never gave me HGH or any PEDs,” said Woods. “I’ve never taken that my entire life. I’ve never taken any illegal drug, ever, for that matter,” he added. But with the benefits of steroids and HGH which can also help in the recovery after injuries, many are still in doubt whether Woods is telling the truth.

In the press conference, Woods confirmed that he underwent 45 days of rehab. But this is not in connection with the use of any drugs. He admitted that he reached the lowest moment of his life and he keeps on lying to himself and the people around him. He only realized these things when he underwent the therapy. Here are some of the excerpts of his response to the press as quoted from Fanhouse.

“What I’ve done the past years has been just terrible to my family. And the fact I won golf tournaments, I think, is irrelevant. It’s the pain and the damage that I’ve caused to my wife, my mom, my wife’s family. My kids going forward — I’m going to have to explain all this to them. You know, that’s my responsibility. I did it. And winning golf tournaments, I think through all of this is irrelevant compared to the damage I’ve caused. As part of where I was at, I was rationalizing and in total denial. Whatever I did, I lied to myself, I lied to others, and just because I was winning golf tournaments doesn’t mean a thing. The way I was thinking caused so much harm to the people that I love and care about the most on this planet.”

The athlete of the decade is excited about the Masters Golf Tournament opening on Thursday and was asked about his expectations. “Nothing’s changed. I’m going to go out there and try to win this thing,” Woods replied.