In the interview of the Las Vegas Sun, UFC’s Nate Marquardt said that he doesn’t care if his opponents are on steroids. The middleweight fighter is scheduled to fight Yushin Okami at UFC 122 next week. The match-up will be the main event on November 13 at Oberhausen, Germany. However, Marquardt, who is considered as one of the best contender in the middleweight division, avoided making negative comments on Chael Sonnen who was suspended by the CSAC for failing a steroid test after his fight with Anderson Silva in UFC 117.

Everybody likes to know what will be his reaction to the positive result of Sonnen since the latter beat him in the number 1 contender fight. Could it be due to steroids why Sonnen won the fight? While everybody is expecting to hear a more drastic response, Marquardt told the Las Vegas Sun in a more subtle way. “My thinking is, it doesn’t matter if the guy I’m fighting is on steroids. I don’t care about that. I should be able to beat him either way. I feel like I can fight someone on steroids and still have them at a disadvantage,” he said.

Steroids not Needed

He believes that a true athlete should not be dependent on supplements or performance enhancing drugs. “If you’re a true athlete, the best way is to be natural. Anything you get from steroids you’re trading off somewhere else, whether it’s your cardio or longevity in the sport. You need all those things,” said Marquardt.

Marquardt refused to make comments because he doesn’t know the facts on Sonnen’s steroid use. However, he still has high regard for the middleweight contender for his skills. “Honestly, I really don’t know what to think. I don’t know the facts. Either way, he’s a tough guy and he’s going to be back before long,” he said.

Title Fight Against Silva

Chael Sonnen is expected to appeal his suspension on December 2 hoping that the sanction will be reduced or lifted. Right now, the rematch with Anderson Silva was pulled out because of Sonnen’s suspension. This is a good news for Marquardt. If he wins on November 13, he will likely have the chance to fight the best middleweight fighter, Anderson Silva. “When you’re at the top of the division, you’re always one or two fights away from the title shot. I figured I would have one more fight against a top guy and then a No. 1 contenders fight,” he told the Sun.

In another interview, Nate Marquardt told cagepotato that it is best not to comment because he doesn’t know the facts on Sonnen’s positive test for steroids. “I didn’t see the results of the test, so I can’t even comment, to be honest. Who knows? Obviously it was a banned substance that was in his system or it was over the limit or however it was, but either way he’ll be punished for having that in his system,” he said. “At the same time it doesn’t mean he was trying to cheat. It could have been several things. It could have been an over-the-counter medicine or a supplement he was taking that made him test positive,” Marquardt added.

Suspended for Steroid Nandrolone

Nate “the Great” Marquardt is not new to the issue of steroid use. He himself was given sanction for a positive test for steroid nandrolone. He tested positive for Deca (nandrolone) in the Ultimate Fight Night 1 against Ivan Salaverry back in 2005. He received a six month suspension but appealed the case. He said that the positive test could be the result of an over-the-counter supplement he was taking that time. The suspension was then reduced to 5 months.

His opponent next week, Yushin Okami also told MMA Junkie that he believe Sonnen is innocent. “I trained with Chael and I think he’s innocent [because] of his personality,” said Okami. Asked about his prediction on the UFC 122, Okami is optimistic that he will dominate the fight. “I’ve gotten many techniques from Team Quest, so now I believe I have more power than Nate,” said Okami.

Most countries have initiated strict campaign to get rid of illegal anabolic steroids and other drugs which are said to enhance performance. This is a good thing because the general public is at least protected on the illegal use of these drugs. However, regulatory agencies should not be complacent because people who engage in the illegal manufacture and distribution of these drugs will always think of ways just to circumvent the laws.

Recent apprehensions of authorities of illegal manufacturers and importers should be commended. Regardless of the amount of steroids confiscated, they are sending a clear message that violators of the law will not be spared and the government is also concerned on the welfare of the consumers.

Last month, a lot of seizures of illegal steroids were made by law enforcement agencies in different countries. In Ukraine, a news agency reported that authorities were able to seize 10 kilograms of anabolic steroids. The investigation led by the department for organized crime of Kyiv under the Ministry of Interior Affairs together with the cooperation of the Security Service of Ukraine apprehended 3 suspects for trying to smuggle 10 kilograms of steroids with an estimated value of UAH 1 million.

Authorities said that these anabolic steroids were bound to be distributed in Asian countries. Searches also revealed at least 240 pills and 3 liters of Durabolin, an anabolic steroid. Durabolin is known for its muscle bulking effects. Police said that they are still looking for the laboratory where these steroids were allegedly produced. The suspects were already charged for violating Article 321 of the Criminal Code of the country. Article 321 refers to the unlawful production, manufacture, purchase, transportation, transfer, possession with intent to sell or sale of any toxic or substances or toxic drugs according to the report of Ukrainian News Agency.

In India, the municipal health agency in Ahmedabad seized 1 kilogram of steroids from two suspects allegedly selling the drug illegally. The stores which are being used to sell the steroids were also ordered to be closed. According to local health officials, the two suspects were selling the white powder in small packs charging Rs5 for each pack and claiming that these are intended for arthritis.

The steroids confiscated by the health authorities were sent to a laboratory for testing. Local health officials in Ahmedabad warn the consumers of the possible danger of taking these steroids. Based on the reports both of the accused were not licensed pharmacists or has no medical background.

Another successful raid was conducted by police officers in North Bend, OR. Raids on homes of 5 suspects led to the seizure of several anabolic steroids and drug paraphernalia. In the first home, police found vials of testosterone and steroids. The anabolic steroids were Sustanon, Dianabol, and Mandralone. There are also unlabeled vials and syringes to inject these steroids were also found.

On another house, different types of anabolic steroids both in liquid and pill forms were discovered. The World News reported that these steroids were found in different locations in the house and some of them were hidden in cabinets and drawers. Several bottles of testosterone, nandrolone, Scoperson 100 with Biogen labels were confiscated. Bottles of Equipoise, testosterone cypionate, and unlabeled testosterone were found in a bathroom. There are also vials of testosterone enanthate, boldenone, a box of cloprosdenol sodium vials, and other pill bottles. Cash worth $725 was also recovered by the police.

It will always hard for the sports organizations to curtail the use of performance enhancing drugs like human growth hormone if it is widely available online. This is the concern of Paul Mella, the head of the Canadian Center for Ethics and Sports or CCES. It has been years already when the campaign to eradicate steroid use started but up to now, it is still a problem of most sports organization and regulatory agencies. The source of the problem may not be due to the failure of these organizations to police their own players but the existing laws that regulate the use of these drugs.

For example in Canada, the possession and personal use of HGH is not illegal. The government only prohibits the illegal manufacture of the drug. However, for legit pharmaceutical companies the sale of HGH is extensively marketed both offline and online. Some of these companies even focused only on selling online because of the worldwide reach of the internet. They can get customers from the different parts of the world, a very good strategy for reaping more profits.

According to a news agency, Global News, the purchase of HGH online is still easy. They tried purchasing HGH from an online pharmacy and they were able to complete the transaction in just a few minutes. A bottle of a popular brand only cost $56 and that is already good for 1 month supply. An HGH supplement comes in oral, spray and injectable form. These are primarily marketed as an anti-ageing supplement which makes it become popular for those who are conscious about their health and professional athletes who want to recuperate faster from injuries and improve their skills.

However, CCES President Paul Mella said that these products are associated with certain cancers and cardiovascular disease. The CCES explained that HGH is a very complex molecule which must be injected to be effective and not to be swallowed. But pharmaceutical companies selling the oral and tablet form claims that their versions of HGH are also effective.

The CCES is worried on the extensive advertisements on newspapers and other media. “It’s a bit distressing to see something like that in a mainstream daily newspaper, knowing that kids are going to see it, and knowing that it’s an issue that we deal with at the high performance sport level,” Mella told the globallethbridge.com.

Mella stressed that the efficacy of the human growth hormone declines as it go to the manufacturing process. “If there is any human growth hormone in it, the active nature of that hormone would be depleted through the manufacturing, packaging and retail processes involved in getting it to people,” Mella said. Another problem that he sees in these HGH supplements are the overrated claims of the manufacturers. “At the end of the day it’s not unlike most supplement companies, they advertise much more than their products are able to deliver,” he said.

The CCES head admitted that it is hard to regulate supplements like steroids and HGH. One of the reasons is the sourcing out of raw materials used in the manufacturing of HGH products. Most of these, he said, are coming from China and South America and bought from the internet. Mella knows that their only weapon in curtailing steroids and HGH use in the sport is through proper education. “We don’t have the capacity to police it and regulate it,” Mella said refering to the use of HGH. “The reaction we’re getting from them is really throwing up their arms and saying, ‘We can’t do much about it.’ Education is our best hope,” Mella concluded.

We already have so many blogs about law enforcement officers from the different law enforcement agencies jailed because of their involvement in either selling steroids or possession and use of anabolic steroids. Federal agencies as well as local police departments does not permit the use of anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs unless it is being used for legal and valid reasons. Officers who are tasked to protect the people from lawless elements should be healthy and capable of performing their duties. Taking drugs or medications to enhance their physique or strength are not allowed because it can affect their judgment according to some health experts.

However, some police officers have a different view on this thing. They believe that taking steroids and other supplements will help them become more effective in their jobs. If professional athletes take these to gain competitive advantage, police officers have similar objective. They want to be in control when pursuing those lawless elements.

These reasons are not enough to let them violate departmental rules. This is what happened to a former police officer and agent for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Blaine, Washington. When still working as a cop in Tacoma, Sean Patrick Ganley, 38 experienced being beaten by lawless elements. This forced him to search the internet for something that could enhance his body. He found a site that promised to solve his problem. Ganley ordered human growth hormones from China and had used other steroids for many years. But things went different when he was caught importing the HGH drug when he was assigned to the immigration and customs enforcement.

After the trial, Ganley was sentenced by the U.S. District Court in Seattle to 2 years probation. Ganley told the court that it was a big mistake for him to neglect the law which he is bound to enforce. “I made a big mistake, there’s no sugarcoating it. I felt that was what I could do to increase my strength. I wish I would have never done it.”

The former police officer also alleged that steroid use was very common in the police department where he was assigned and as well as in neighboring police agencies. “So I again mistakenly felt it was ‘no big deal’ to use them,” Ganley said. As a result of the investigation, Ganley resigned from the ICE earlier this year.

According to the Seattle Times, the judge handling the case would like to give harsh penalty for the police officer to send a strong message to other officers taking illegal drugs particularly anabolic steroids and HGH. Ganley could have spent at least 10 years in prison for the offense. However, the prosecution and the defense agreed to a lighter sentence because of the plea agreement. According to assistant U.S. attorney Tom Rice, the guilty plea of Ganley include his resignation from the ICE and will not be allowed to work in other law enforcement jobs because of the felony conviction. This is already enough punishment for the officer for the use of performance enhancing drug.

According to court documents, Ganley ordered the human growth hormones from China using a fictitious name and address. The package was discovered by customs agents in the JFK International Airport in 2008 which led to the investigation and filing of charges on the ICE agent. His use of steroids started when he was still working in the Tacoma police and based on court records, his steroids use began in 2004.

Weak anti-doping policies of major sports leagues are the reasons why many professional athletes still use anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drug and performance enhancing methods. Although there are existing test for steroids, many experts are not convinced that it can really detect all types of steroids available in the market. Every year, we hear new designer steroids being marketed and disguised as natural supplements. This is aside from the issue on human growth hormone or HGH. Many sports organizations are still adamant to include HGH testing because of unreliable tests. Enhancing performance through other means such as blood transfusions is also common in endurance sports.

The former head of the World Anti-Doping Agency Dick Pound has not changed his stance on this problem in professional sports. The leagues failed. In his recent talk in University of Western Ontario, Pound stressed that in order to stop the problem on steroids and other performance enhancing drugs, the leagues should establish up to date and strict anti-doping policies.

Pound was lambasted for his remarks 5 years ago when he said that more than 50% of NHL players were using banned substances. But it seems that the anti-doping crusader had a point. After 5 years, the number of professional players caught using banned substances particularly anabolic steroids are not waning. An excerpt of his speech in the Western’s law school was quoted by the Canadian Press. Pound told his audience that the NHL does not have a particularly robust (anti-drug) program. “They say there’s no evidence (of players using steroids) but how can there be evidence if there’s no testing? The anecdotal evidence from players and coaches is certainly there,” Pound said.

Though there are existing anti-doping test, many criticized the league because the test does not include playoffs or during summer. Testing up to 3 times during the season can only catch reckless athletes for not being cautious on the length of time a steroid stays in the body. Everybody knows that athletes can adopt steroid cycles to avoid detection. There are also some anabolic steroids which can be flushed out from their system in a very short time. And not to mention masking agents that can hide the use of steroids.

Pound is not buying the argument that there are some sports, like the NHL, that doesn’t need steroids. With the various benefits that an athlete can get from using steroids, it has attracted more users from different sports. According to Pound, the leagues know this fact. “The head of the NBA told me he was aware they could be doing more but that he was too busy with players’ problems off the court,” he said. “The NFL likes to consider itself the gold standard in comparison to other leagues in anti-doping but then you hear players say a suspension of four games is too much, that it should be two games.” Dick Pound commended the CFL for making its significant move to include HGH testing on its players. But Pound emphasized that greater testing is still needed and the HGH tests is a little bit late.

The former President of WADA believes that there are still substances out there that haven’t been detected by existing tests. “It’s something that worries us all. I’ve always operated on the premise there is stuff out there we don’t know about,” Pound told the media after his talk at the University of Western Ontario. He also added that the cheaters are getting smarter and drug scientists have become more advanced in developing new steroids. “I guess all we can rely on is the ability to question a sudden and unpredictable spike in an athlete’s performance,” he said.

The side effects of these performance enhancing substances are also dangerous. Death is the worst thing that can happen to an athlete aside from the minor and other serious side effects such as permanent acne, constant rage and shrinking of the testicles. “Too many young cyclists have died. They’ll say ‘he had a weak heart.’ Well, he had a weak heart because of EPO,” Pound added.

Connecticut’s Senate is a very hot contested race. Both parties tried to outdo each other in poll rankings and hoping that this will turn into real votes in the election day. Democrat Richard Blumenthal was able to find the right issues that caused Republican Linda McMahon’s poll rating to decline in the previous days. Everybody knows that polls can influence how people choose their candidates.

Now, the company that Linda McMahon and his husband built made a last minute effort to save the candidacy of their former CEO. The World Wrestling Entertainment launch the “Stand up for WWE” campaign to help rebuild the credibility of McMahon and ensure that the former CEO win the Connecticut Senate race. But her rival was quick to counter this strategy and asked for a federal elections investigation to look into whether the company has illegally cooperated with the political campaign of the Republican senatoriable. Nancy DiNardo, the chairwoman of the Democrats in the Connecticut, told the AP that Linda McMahon have again made another questionable strategy just to win the election. “Linda McMahon’s $50 million attack machine is calling in corporate reinforcements with no respect for the law or the voters of Connecticut,” she said

While Vince McMahon was trying to distance himself from the political arena, his company, the WWE, was not spared from the issues which are being used to derail the candidacy of his wife. In fact, Vince was only seen in a few occasions with Linda to avoid dragging the name of the WWE to politics. But this is not the case. According to Vince, he underestimated the interest and scrutiny of the people on the issues plaguing his company such as the use of steroids, rude programming and deaths of professional wrestlers.

The Stand up for WWE was launched to denounce the continuous malicious and misleading attacks to the entertainment company and to Linda McMahon. The WWE also filed a lawsuit against a top state election official for comments that voters wearing the WWE clothing and paraphernalia should not be allowed in the polling areas. They have won this case when a judge recently ruled in favor of the McMahon’s.

The WWE, through its website, explained that they should not be blamed for the deaths of wrestlers and should not be accused of allowing the rampant use of steroids in the sport. “In virtually all instances, WWE is being blamed for the deaths of performers who were no longer affiliated with WWE in any way at the time of their deaths. Since the formation of the company in 1982, five wrestlers have passed away while under contract with WWE.” But none of these cases were directly caused by the use of anabolic steroids. “According to coroner reports, one individual died by accident, one by suicide and three by natural causes, specifically arteriosclerotic heart disease.”

The Democrats have recently launched campaign ads that directly attacked Linda’s capability as a future senator of Connecticut. A not so nice video clips of Vince McMahon while performing in the WWE was also used by Linda’s opponent. The trial of Vince in 1994 involving his allege conspiracy in the distribution of anabolic steroids and Linda’s memo interfering with a federal investigation were all revived.

Now, it’s up to the people of Connecticut whether these issues will be of much importance in choosing the right candidate in the senate. Who will be the new Senator of Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal or Linda McMahon? We will know very soon.