The recent admission of UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock in an interview with Mike Straka of HDNet’s Fighting Words was not appalling since he was previously tested positive for steroids in 2009. He was suspended for one year because of 3 different anabolic steroids found in his system when he fought super heavyweight Ross Clifton at “War Gods: Valentine’s Eve Massacre” in 2009. He won the fight but anti-doping authorities slapped him with a suspension due to Stanozolol and 19-Norandrosterone and 19-Noretiocholanolone, both were nandrolone-based substances.

Shamrock questioned the results but did not pursue the case to clear his name. Instead he just accepted the suspension. With his admission, it validated the results of his steroid tests. The reason for admitting in public that he took steroids is not yet clear. But some of MMA fans lauded his decision. “Kudos to Shamrock for being so honest and not making phony excuses like baseball players do,” commented by a fan.

However, the most interesting part in the interview was the insinuation of the MMA legend that the fans put too much burden on the players to become bigger, stronger and perform at the highest level. “They want home runs, baby. They want people jacking them out of the park,” Shamrock said. He noted that whenever a player tested positive for a banned substance, the fans would immediately blame them for being irresponsible. “But then when they find out about it they want to stick their heads in the sand and (say), ‘How bad, that was stupid, you’re crazy, don’t let him in the hall of fame.’ It’s like let’s point the finger because if we don’t point the finger at somebody else, we have to point it at ourselves because we knew. Nobody wants to take responsibility, but everyone wants to see it,” he added.

Ken Shamrock also revealed how easy it is to buy steroids especially for professional athletes. “It’s like going to the grocery store. It’s that simple. It’s that easy,” said Shamrock. However, abusing these drugs could pose harm to the athlete. “But when you start trying to make things bigger and better, you’re going to get yourself hurt.”

Journeyman Dennis Hallman agreed on Shamrock’s statement. The use of steroids in the sport is common. “Just like if you have a headache, you take aspirin to make yourself feel better; if you have a serious injury and you take steroids to heal you, that’s a smart thing to do. That’s what’s going to heal your body,” said Hallman. For him, steroids should not be the only factor that will help improve the skills of a fighter. “If you’re taking steroids to make yourself a better fighter because you don’t have the skill level or something like that, then it’s a problem,” Hallman added. He also estimated that at least 50 percent of the fighters are taking performance enhancers. There were only a few who failed steroid tests because they were always ahead of the anti-doping system.

Before entering into mixed martial arts, Shamrock wrestled for the WWE from 1997 to 1999 and became one of the WWE Intercontinental champions. He also has a short stint in TNA in 2002 where he won a championship title. Ken Shamrock will prove again his fighting skills against Pedro Rizzo in July 18 at Impact Fighting Championship to be held at Sydney Events Centre in Sydney, Australia.

The 2010 World Cup already started with a big bang. The opening was a success with thousands of spectators cheering for their favorite teams. However, news stories from the sidelines draws some fans to be outrage by a news that Argentina’s star player used steroids. In an article written by Yahoo sportswriter Martin Rogers, he insinuated that Lionel Messi’s outstanding performance could be due to his use of steroids. But many soccer fanatics criticized the writer for reporting erroneous information.

Lionel Messi is considered as the hope of Argentina in the 2010 World Cup. It was in 1986 when they were able to get the World Cup title through the help of Diego Maradona, now the coach of the national team. Messi is considered as one of the best footballer in the world because of his impeccable performance in Barcelona. He was the highest scorer with 34 goals in the La Liga. Some of his achievements were from the Youth World Cup 2005 and 2008 Olympic gold medal with Argentina.

Last year, Messi was awarded by FIFA as the World Player of the Year and many sports analyst sees more to come to this young soccer player from Argentina. His coach in the Spanish League couldn’t just describe his star player. In the last season Messi scored 47 goals with an additional 14 assists in just 53 games with his Barcelona team.

The pressure is also mounting for the Argentianean player. Their national coach, who is also the world’s best football player, has put on his shoulder the task of bringing the team to the top of this year’s world cup. “I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi,” said Diego Maradona in an interview.

The young star who will turn 23 this year, seems to like the challenges. He told a news agency that he is ready for the world Cup. “I have waited, not very patiently, for this World Cup to come around. I want to do my best for my country and play to a great level,” Messi said.

But a report that he was using steroid or HGH is something that could tarnish his good reputation whether it is true or not. There are already many professional athletes who admitted that using steroids and HGH helped them to perform better in sports. An example is Mark McGwire of Major League Baseball who admitted to the use of several steroids and human growth hormone when he was at the peak of his career. Does this mean that Messi is also one of them?

In the report of Rogers, his title “Steroids helped Messi’s game grow” captured the attention of many online readers. He was even criticized for using the word steroids and implying that Messi used steroids just to get huge readership. His lack of research on the subject was noted by some readers by saying that HGH is an anabolic steroid.

While it may be true that Lionel Messi used human growth hormone but its purpose is to treat his growth hormone deficiency problem. Based on the reports, he was treated with growth hormone when he was 9 years old. This was confirmed by his doctor who said that a hormone therapy is needed. “Nothing allows us to overcome genetics. But if difficulties arise we can help it along. Those who genuinely have growth hormone deficiency have it for life. That is why it is necessary to intervene,” said Dr. Diego Schwarsztein, an endocrinologist.

But many people don’t believe that the treatment helped him become a great football player. The use of growth hormone many years ago could not be attributed to Messi’s excellent performance in football. If he was on steroids, HGH or something, the sports organization should have caught him and ban him from the league. And he should not be in the World Cup in South Africa.

It is a fact that anabolic steroids and HGH are popular among bodybuilders. When used properly and together with regular workouts, it can really help in developing good physique. However, there are times that the use of these supplements are abused thus leads to some side effects. Many critics would always say that the use of anabolic steroids could lead to what they call “roid rage.” This may be true but there are other factors that contribute to this state of condition.

An example of “roid rage” is the case of convicted steroids dealer David Jacobs and fitness competitor Amanda Jo Earhart Savell. They were found dead by the police in their Plano home two years ago. Based on the investigation, Jacobs killed Savell and committed suicide after. Authorities believe that it could be due to roid rage because of the evidences gathered. Narcotics agents found steroids at the residence and the autopsy of Jacobs’ body revealed that he was taking steroids.

Jacobs was also an amateur bodybuilder but was involved in an illegal steroid distribution network. According to authorities, the bodybuilder had a very high level of testosterone and also tested positive for a synthetic steroid called nandrolone. This steroid helps athletes develop muscle mass. Experts say that Jacobs was following steroid stacks because of multiple substances found in his system.

After 2 years, Savell’s family filed a lawsuit against the Chinese supplier and the GeneScience Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. There are also several corporations and individuals who were included in the lawsuit. The dallasnews.com reported that Kathy and Gary Earhart of Plano filed their suit in Marshall, Texas. One of the respondents is Lei Jin, a Chinese citizen, who was alleged to be one of the steroids suppliers of Amanda and David and a Chinese pharmaceutical company who manufactured the said steroids.

The complaint states that these people and entities were “in the scheme to illegally produce, market, sell and buy anabolic steroids and human growth hormone.” It was stated in the lawsuit that GeneScience Pharmaceuticals manufactures and exports GenLie Jintropin, a human growth hormone and other anabolic steroids.

The Savell family believes that the steroids caused the roid rage of Jacobs. “I used to run fitness centers. I’ve seen guys go crazy” on steroids,” Gary Earhart said in an interview. “The worst thing about steroids is that they work. They also work on you mentally,” he added.

Before Jacobs’ death, he was sentenced on probation because of his involvement in one of the largest steroid distribution ring in the country. Court records showed that Jacobs purchased the raw materials from his suppliers in China and mixed and distribute it in North Texas and other states. He also cooperated with federal agents by providing them information on his clients like some of the NFL players. Savell, on the other hand, was not involved in the case but had a previous relationship with Jacobs.

The extravagant demands of Floyd Mayweather Jr. to require all his opponents to undergo an Olympic style blood testing may have contributed something good to professional sports. Others criticize Mayweather for his actions which many consider as promotional efforts to sell his fights. On the other hand, the boxer has a basis for requesting for a stricter test in sports since many athletes were using performance enhancing drugs particularly anabolic steroids.

The UFC may be the next one to adopt an Olympic style blood testing. There were already a handful of mixed martial arts fighters involved in the use of steroids so instituting a comprehensive blood testing will help clean the sport with PED’s. But the real motive of some fighters may be questioned because they could be using this issue to hype their fights.

In the press conference for the Season 12 of the “The Ultimate Fighter,” coach and fighter Josh Koscheck said that his future opponent Georges St. Pierre should undergo an Olympic style blood testing. Georges St. Pierre has been into steroid spotlight in the previous months because of allegations that he was using steroids. One of his accusers is BJ Penn who believes that GSP is not 100% clean. He used this issue in their pre-fight and post-fight at UFC 94. Currently, athletic commissions use urine tests to determine if an athlete is using steroids or not. However, there are other performance enhancers that can only be detected in blood tests.

Although, Georges St. Pierre have not failed a test, his future opponent wants to be sure that he is not pumping his body with performance enhancers. “From what I’ve heard from other fighters in other camps, yeah, (St. Pierre) has done steroids and HGH. But Koscheck is not sure if these allegations were true. “I don’t know. This is just on hearsay information that I’ve gotten. That’s just speculation, but it’s a possibility,” Koscheck told news agencies.

Koscheck also admitted that he received more information from the BJ Penn’s camp. “B.J. Penn and his camp gave me a little phone call. They were saying, ‘Yeah, he’s on steroids. He’s this; he’s that.’ I said, ‘Yeah, there’s a possibility.’ The guy is pretty ripped all year round,” he told MMA Junkie.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship 12 is scheduled in December where coaches will be fighting in the main event. Koscheck on his part is willing to undergo an Olympic style blood testing. “I would love to do it; why not?” he said. He believes that adopting this kind of testing will be good for UFC. “I think Olympic-style testing would be great for our sport. At least you do it a couple times out from the fight. I think it will be a great idea,” he added.

St. Pierre also accepted the challenge and he also want this kind of testing in the sport. “I stand for that more than anybody else,” said St. Pierre. “I just hope it will happen soon because I know a lot of people cheat in this sport, and it’s unacceptable. I am all for random blood testing. Nobody in the UFC agrees on that more than me,” he added.

And the MMA champ has something to say against his future opponent for asking him to undergo blood testing. “I have no problem — any time he wants,” he said. “I’m not a coward and somebody that uses steroids is a cheater. I am not afraid of Josh Koscheck and I don’t have to cheat to beat him,” St. Pierre added.

St. Pierre believes that steroids were really helping fighters to gain more advantage in the ring. Genetics, style, skills and the heart to win makes a good fighter according to GSP. However, the use of steroids is a big factor that will change the outcome of a fight. “What makes a good fighter is a lot of things: genetics, style, skills, heart. But now, there’s another factor that influences a fight and that’s the team of doctors behind the fighter. This should not be an element that helps a fighter,” he said.

The investigation of Lowens Pharmacy in Brooklyn, New York leads the investigators to look for police officers who were allegedly purchasing from the pharmacy illegal anabolic steroids. Several NYPD officers were investigated but it does not end there as records showed that other clients of the pharmacy also came from the JCPD. It was revealed in the investigation that around 50 Jersey City police officers purchased steroids from Lowens Pharmacy. The respondents in the Lowens case were already charged but most of them did not receive any jail term because of plea agreements. Dr. Lucente who was charged for conniving with pharmacy owners in prescribing illegal anabolic steroids received no jail term but have to give up practicing his profession.

In 2008, Jersey City chief of Police Tom Comey directed the internal affairs unit to conduct steroid testing of its police officers based on the report provided by NYPD. The results confirmed that several of the 50 officers, who were clients of the pharmacy, were positive for steroids. According to Dr. Edward Boylan, the steroid levels of the officers were too high. Dr. Boylan was hired by the city to conduct the test and give recommendations.

Chief Comey decided to put these officers on modified duty until such time that their steroid test result will become normal. As a consequence, they were restricted to wear police uniform or possess a city weapon. They were also assigned to off-duty jobs in the department and were required to work in the radio room.

However, 7 police officers filed a lawsuit against the chief for putting them on modified duty and for violating other laws such as testing them for steroids. They argued that their first, fourth and fourteenth amendment rights were violated. The plaintiffs also cited provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Based on court filings, the officers filled legitimate hormone replacement therapy prescriptions at the pharmacy. However, they allege that they did not know that the pharmacy is dispensing drugs which contain unapproved drug components and also argued that they were not sure if those substances were also dispensed to them. The police officers were Nicholas Kramer, Brian McGovern, Patrick Fay, Victor Vargas, Stefano Petrillo, Michael Stise and John Bado.

But their arguments were not strong enough to convince U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan. In the report of NJ.com, the judge dismissed the case and ruled in favor of the city chief of police. According to him, Jersey City Police Chief Tom Comey acted properly in the situation. He said that putting the officers on modified duty did not constitute a violation of their constitutional rights. “Chief Comey received credible information that as many as fifty of his police officers were visiting a pharmacy in New York City that was under investigation for its distribution of illegal steroids,” the judge said in his decision.

Comey’s decision is reasonable according to Judge Sheridan. “He received this information from a captain of the NYPD Internal Affairs bureau, who was investigating the use of illegal steroid by NYPD officers. Chief Comey acted quickly to ensure that JCPD officers were not using steroids that would make them dangerous and unfit for duty. This is a very significant concern,” Sheridan added.

He also noted that the officers were allowed to return to their normal duty when their subsequent tests became negative. Kramer, on the other hand, was suspended because he has still high level of steroids in his system. Sheridan also added in his ruling that the officers can’t refile the case in the future.

A businessman who was previously sued by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) for swindling the elderly in 2008 was again sentenced by the court for smuggling steroids into the country. Anabolic steroids are included in the controlled substances and importing and distributing these drugs illegally will result to stiff sanctions. Rick Boros, 66 was sentenced for 9 years in prison plus 5 years of probation. Boros is one of the co-defendants in the steroid smuggling case filed against Purchase Meds Inc. Boros is one of the owners of the pharmacy.

Based on court records, the group used women to transport the steroids and other prescription pills. The drugs which came from Mexico and Belize were commonly concealed in women’s shoes and electronics equipment which were not detected by customs officials. Mexico is one of the common sources of anabolic steroids which were usually entered into the US through illegal means. They used this strategy from 2003 to 2006 according to federal prosecutors.

Boros also used another alias as Vince Kwiatkowski which he used in his business dealings. He also obtained illegal prescriptions from doctors which he used to sell the steroids and other medications such as Xanax to customer. Most of his business transactions were done through the internet.

Prosecutors said that the group processes at least 50 internet and telephone purchases a day. Most of their clients did not only come from Illinois but from other states as well. It was also revealed that their steroid business was purely a homed based operation which was located at 17200 block of Oriole Avenue in Tinley Park. The prosecutors also said that bodybuilders from a nearby gym were some of their frequent visitors to buy anabolic steroids.

There were 6 people who were charged in the smuggling and operation of their steroid business. Randy Soderlund already received 1 year sentence while Larry Calow avoided the prison term by committing suicide in 2008.

Before his conviction in the steroid case, Rick Boros also operates the North American Mining Ventures. In the information reported by South Town Star, Boros defraud his elderly investors of more than $1.2 million which should be invested in gold and silver mines in Durango, Mexico.

However, the SEC found out that Boros used the funds to buy extravagant gifts to his wife and secretary. It was also spent to the college tuition fee of his daughter. According to SEC, Boros used the money for personal expenses like paying for personal credit cards, owning 3 luxury cars, and paying for spas and salon services.

Boros will spend his 9-year prison term in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago. The steroid case was handled by U.S. District Judge Joan B. Gottschall.