Up to now, MMA fighter Josh Barnett is still wondering why the California State Athletic Commission has not issued him a license. The hearing was postponed many times and on the December hearing, the commission asked him to bring a legal counsel which he was not informed ahead of time. Barnett already served his one year suspension for taking anabolic steroids but he can’t fight in any professional competition without a license.

The Strikeforce, through its chief executive Scott Coker, announced this month that Barnett is included in the 8-man heavyweight tournament. He will be facing Brett Rogers in the second quarterfinal match but the date and place have yet to be announced. It is clear why the Strikeforce have not confirmed any date yet because of the status of Barnett. Aside from California, other states that may not issue a license to the “Baby Faced Assassin” are Nevada and New Jersey.

However, Coker is optimistic that other state athletic commission will give Barnett another chance provided the latter passed pre-fight test for steroids. “His suspension is off the registry, and a denial doesn’t go on the registry because that’s each state’s determination to make, as far as licensing an individual,” CSAC executive director George Dodd said.

Dodd told the media earlier this month that Barnett should contact him January 10 if he is interested to attend the February 4 meeting of the commissioners. However, Barnett did not comply. Dodd said that CSAC will still tackle the application for license in their next meeting but will issue a recommendation before the commission makes its ruling.

During an interview with MMAJunkie Radio, Barnett is still looking for some answers why his application for license is taking so long and confused on the CSAC’s process. “There are still some things I have to figure out with that with (legal) counsel and Strikeforce, and also, to hear something from the commission as well as to what exactly they intend to do or want. I definitely don’t want to spend my time and fly up there to be ambushed,” Barnett said.

One thing that Barnett should discern is his continuous denial of using anabolic steroids. In doing this, he indirectly questions the anti-doping policies of the California State Athletic Commission. This is the main reason why CSAC want to grill him again on his steroid use during the December 2 hearing. They also want to see that Barnett is already cleared of any performance enhancing drug before he can fight again. Aside from the required negative steroid test, he should also provide the commission with proof of his rehabilitation. The commission may be taking a hard stance on Barnett because the failed steroid test in July 2009 was his third offense for steroids. In fact, his failed steroid test has caused Affliction to close business.

In another interview, Barnett argued that steroids may not help athletes improve performance but admitted that the use of PED’s is common. “I think everybody is doing whatever they can to get an edge on their opponent, no matter what, be it taking anything whether it’s illegal or legal,” he said. “Is it working? I don’t really know. I don’t think so,” he added.

For Barnett, he doesn’t care if he is going against MMA fighters on steroids. “I fought guys who were way jacked to the gills (on steroids). I never cared – I just fought them anyways. I don’t care what pill you take or what shot or what new supplement or what diet you do,” Barnett said during his MMA Hour interview.

Let us wait if Barnett can still fight in the Strikeforce’s World Grand Prix heavyweight tournament.

The investigative report of a New Jersey publication revealed the rampant use of steroids by New Jersey police and firefighters. Records showed that at least 248 officers and firefighters obtained questionable prescriptions from a single Jersey City doctor. It was also found out by the Star Ledger that most of these police officers used their health benefits to obtain anabolic steroids and growth hormones.

It has enraged police officials and lawmakers because they are wasting the taxpayer’s money for medication that is considered dangerous. A task force was already created to investigate this matter which was also supported by many NJ police unions. Now that this cops on steroids becomes a state concern, lawmakers passed several bills that will address the problem.

In the forefront of this issue is Deputy Assembly Speaker Jack McKeon, a Democrat from West Orange. He passed a bill that would require every police officer and firefighter in the state to undergo fitness-for-duty testing. Before they can be prescribed with anabolic steroids or human growth hormones, a thorough medical examination will be required first. McKeon told the AFP that hundreds of uniformed officers needing steroids for legitimate purposes is ridiculous. “It’s not the case. These are being used to bodybuild or whatever reason,” McKeon said.

McKeon also noted that these officers were using the taxpayer’s money for their own gain. The lawmaker said that most of the prescriptions of steroids were issued illegally. The taxpayers have been wrongly paying for millions of dollars in insurance costs for prescriptions that were, in many cases, issued illegally according to the lawmaker.

Another issue that could make this problem worst is the possible side effects of abusing steroids. Based on some studies, long term use of steroids can damage the kidney and can cause heart and liver problems. Anabolic steroids are also associated with mood changes such as “roid rage.” “So now you’ve got a public that’s not properly served when you have uniformed officers who are having that risk,” said McKeon.

Lawmakers know that this problem can’t be solved by a single solution. Assemblyman Herb Conaway, a Democrat from Burlington, tie-up with McKeon in proposing another bill to stop the abuse of steroids by police and firefighters in the state. They urge the attorney general to add steroids to the list of drugs for which officers are randomly tested.

Under the current policy, top police officials can recommend steroid testing for individual officers but this rarely happens. Most of the time, the test is only conducted if the officer is involved in a crime or there are reports that they are involved in using performance enhancing substances. Although there are a few police departments across the state that include steroids in their regular drug testing but the usual problem is the cost of implementing regular and mandatory testing of all police officers.

Another bill that will address the problem of steroid use among NJ police officers is the inclusion of human growth hormone to the state’s prescription drug monitoring program. This program is on its development stage and adding HGH to the list will certainly deter officers to purchase this drug without valid prescriptions.

For years, Spanish cyclist Alberto Leon was in the hot list of the authorities for his involvement in doping schemes. But on Monday he decided to put an end to his controversial career. Based on the Spanish Civil Guard accounts, Leon was found hanged in his home in San Lorenzo del Escorial near Madrid. The authorities have not yet disclosed the specific details of the incident.

In 2006, Leon was investigated by the Spanish authorities for his alleged participation in doping. The investigation named as Operation Puerto leads the authorities to at least 50 cyclists using performance enhancing drugs. It was considered as the largest investigation in the country involving professional cyclists.

The raids conducted in different locations have resulted to seizure of steroids, blood bags and blood doping equipment. Blood doping is common in professional cycling because it helps in improving endurance. Actually this is not only common to European athletes but recent news in cycling revealed that the US Postal Team, including Lance Armstrong, was also involved in systematic blood doping. With Operation Puerto, several cyclists were sanctioned including prominent cyclists Alejandro Valverde, former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich and Giro d’Italia winner Ivan Basso.

Last year, another doping investigation was launched by the Spanish authorities named Operation Galgo or Operation Greyhound. It focused on the alleged participation of Alberto Leon, Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes and several others to supply and manage doping programs for professional athletes. Dr. Fuentes was known in the cycling world to be involved in blood transfusions. According to online reports, Spanish Civil Guard started the investigation in April 2010 after they found out that a group of people are helping elite athletes in using performance enhancing substances.

Operation Greyhound already questioned 14 people in December last year. Aside from Leon and Dr. Fuentez, authorities also questioned Leon’s sister. They were suspected of trafficking illegal drugs and crimes against public health. Spain’s Marta Dominguez, the world’s steeplechase champion, was also accused as part of the doping scheme. Other people who were also allegedly involved in this doping scheme were Dominguez’s coach, Cesar Perez; athlete Alberto Garcia; fitness trainer Manuel Pascua Piqueras and agent Jose Alonso Valero.

Reuters reported that the group was supplying and helping professional athletes administer doping plans. The substances which were allegedly given to athletes were the blood boosting EPO, hormones and other types of anabolic steroids. Blood doping was also performed by the group as evidenced by the confiscation of blood bags and laboratory equipment used for blood transfusions during raids across the country.

Operation Greyhound is the third largest operation against doping athletes in Spain. In 2009, Operation Grial was also initiated by the government. The Spanish government already passed a law penalizing individuals and groups involved in the use and supply of doping substances such as anabolic steroids. Some people speculate that Alberto Leon may not want to go to jail for his doping activities thus ending his life at 37.

If not for their lavish lifestyle, a couple might be still operating their illegal steroid importation business. They spent a lot on luxury holidays, cars, boats and homes. The couple had also acquired several properties both locally and abroad. With this kind of lifestyle it would be very easy for the authorities to look into their kind of business. However, it took them 2 years before they were able to gather enough evidence to send this couple, together with their accomplishes, to jail.

Patrick Hayland, 48, from Great Saling was sentenced to 4 years and six months in prison while his estranged wife Hyacinth Hayland, 56, was sentenced to 2 years. Patrick pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply controlled drugs. Though his wife denied the conspiracy charges, the court finds her guilty because of her active participation in the operation. Three other people received a suspended sentence.

Authorities said that Hayland had a multi-million steroid importation business supplying the country and Europe. “Together with his estranged wife Hyacinth and other associates, he was responsible for the importation of millions of pounds worth of anabolic steroids drugs over many years,” said one officer handling the case.

During the sentencing, Judge Charles Gratwicke said that Patrick was a major player in the supply of anabolic steroids in Europe. “This was clearly a well organised and professionally run enterprise and you were undoubtedly at the centre, it was you who sourced the drugs, who arranged for their importation, who paid for them. You were the controlling hand,” Judge Gratwicke told Hayland during the sentencing. Hayland’s operation is already handling large scale shipments of anabolic steroids from the Czech Republic. Some of the class C drugs imported by Hayland were nandrolone, testosterone and growth hormones.

According to Det. Insp. Martin Pasmore of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, the investigation on Hayland’s illegal importation of anabolic steroids took them 2 years. But their efforts were rewarded with the conviction of the defendants. He also told the Essex Chronicle that the Czech authorities also helped in the successful dismantling of this illegal trade. “We worked in full co-operation with our police colleagues in the Czech Republic, who provided vital evidence of intercepted telephone calls between Patrick Hyland and an associate in Prague. These men arranged the production and delivery of steroids into the UK,” he said.

Investigators learned that the shipments of steroids were hidden in children’s Lego Toys. They have stopped two shipments at Calais and in the Czech-German border. Authorities estimated that the apprehended shipments of steroids were worth £500,000. Police also discovered during a raid on Hayland’s business bundles of cash worth £87,000, “barrels of white tablets” which were purportedly steroids and containers of Lego.

Authorities are still planning to file other charges against the couple. “We will now work with our colleagues in the financial investigation unit with a view to recovering the money they made from their crimes under the Proceeds of Crime Act,” said Pasmore. The Essex Chronicle reported that at least £2 million worth of properties and money were traced during the investigation.

As expected, baseball players with steroid-laced careers were not given any chances to have a place in baseball’s Hall of Fame. Member writers have already hinted even before they cast their votes that players involved in steroids will be facing a hard time getting a good number of votes. These are players who were implicated in steroid use, caught using steroids, or self-confessed users.

Players Going to Cooperstown

This year’s Hall of Fame result showed that it was not easy to become a Hall of Famer. Only two players were able to pass the scrutiny of members of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). Roberto Alomar who got 90 percent of the votes and Bert Blyleven with 79.5 percent of the votes will be inducted in Cooperstown in the coming months. Alomar is on his second year in the ballot while Blyleven is already on his 14th year. A candidate is eligible in the HOF voting for 15 years as long as they will not received less than 5 percent of the votes. The rest of the players eligible in the 2011 HOF all got a failing mark.

There were a total of 33 players hoping to be in Hall but most of them have to wait next year. Out of the 19 newcomers in this year’s voting, Jeff Bagwell and Larry Walker got into the top ten. But their percentage is still way below the passing mark of 75 percent. Others who still have a viable chance in the 2012 HOF are Barry Larkin, Jack Morris, Lee smith, Tim Raines, Edgar Martinez, and Alan Tramwell.

Saying Goodbye to the HOF

16 players will not be eligible in the 2012 HOF because they received less than 5 percent of the votes. These are Harold Baines, John Franco, Kevin Brown, Tino Martinez, Marquis Grissom, Al Leiter, John Olerud, BJ Surhoff, Bret Boone, and Benito Santiago. Players who did not receive any votes are Carlos Baerga, Lenny Harris, Kirk Reuter, Bobby Higginson, Charles Johnson, and Raul Mondesi.

Steroids No Place in the Hall

Mark McGwire, who admitted to steroid use last year, received a dwindling number of votes from baseball writers. He lost 3.9 percent of the votes as compared to his 2010 mark which was 23.7%. Writers are still critical when it comes to steroid use. The current efforts of McGwire to rebuild his reputation like helping in the anti-doping campaign of the Taylor Hooton Foundation could not influence the voters.

Rafael Palmeiro, on the other hand got 11 percent. This number is still way below the passing mark. While Palmeiro also have an impressive record, it was tainted with a positive test for anabolic steroid. After his testimony in an inquiry, Palmeiro was caught using stanozolol and suspended from the league. Until now, he is still firm that he did not use steroids to cheat. He blamed a tainted supplement. Juan Gonzalez was also penalized for being implicated in steroid use.

Hall of Fame President Satisfied with the Result

National Baseball Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson said during an interview that he was pleased on how the voters handled the issue of steroids and performance enhancing drugs. “I think we are happy with the way the voting has gone, we’re happy with the diligence of the voters who have participated, and the chips will fall as they fall,” he said.

He also added that integrity is very important for Hall of Famers. “There’s a certain integrity required when it comes to baseball’s highest honor, which is being inducted into the Hall of Fame. The character clause exists as it relates to the game on the field. The character clause isn’t there to evaluate and judge players socially. It’s there to relate to the game on the field.” Idelson said that the voters should have the freedom to measure that however they see fit.

In 2008, a new world record was set by powerlifter Ryan Shawn Kennelly. He pressed 1,075 pounds during a powerlifting competition in Kennewick, WA. As a professional powerlifter for 16 years, he was able to establish himself as one of the icons in the sports of powerlifting. He wrote a book on powerlifting and has authored several video tutorials on the internet. In fact, a search on Wikipedia and other bodybuilding websites will show information about him.

However, his popularity could be tainted with his alleged involvement with anabolic steroid distribution. According to the report of the Herald, Ryan Kennelly “The Bench Monster” was arrested by the authorities last December 17 for possession and intent to manufacture or distribute anabolic steroids. A raid in his home resulted to the seizure of 84 vials of steroids and 7 packets of steroid chemicals.

Pleaded Not Guilty

Kennelly was already charged by the authorities and currently on a $25,000 bail. His trial was scheduled on February 14. The powerlifter denied these charges and pleaded not guilty in Benton County Superior Court. The Herald learned that Kennelly was also charged in Moses Lake for a similar offense. He was charged with manufacturing marijuana and possession with intent to deliver both marijuana and anabolic steroids.

The use of anabolic steroids by bodybuilders and powerlifters is not uncommon. Actually most of them rely on steroids to beef-up their bodies and increase their stamina and strength. But manufacturing and distributing these drugs will definitely put them in jail. Anabolic steroids are controlled substances and are strictly monitored by the authorities especially when it is purchased from other countries.

Kennelly claimed that he is a clean athlete during an interview with the Herald a year ago. “I don’t want to do anything else. I started fishing again and I enjoy that, but I don’t drink and I don’t party. I have a small circle of friends with no surprises. I’m No. 1 in the world because I didn’t go down that path,” said Kennelly.

Joint Investigation

The investigation on Kennelly started in 2009 according to Grant County Detective Dean Hallatt. The successful arrest and seizure of steroids were the result of the joint efforts of different agencies including the narcotics department and the postal service. “We are still currently in an ongoing investigation with Mr. Kennelly. It originated in Grant County prior, and then it transferred over to Benton County,” said Hallatt. “But as for a lot of the details, respectfully we are still in an investigation so I would hate to compromise it.” Kennewick police Sgt. Ken Lattin also refused to give more details on the case.

Tracking the Shipment of Steroids

The issuance of a search warrant against the powerlifter was based on the report and cooperation of the postal service. Postal inspectors intercepted a package of steroid which is bound to a Kennewick apartment. They placed an alarm system inside the box which will notify the authorities once it is opened. During the search, police found the shipment of steroids in a safe. It was also alleged that other steroids were also confiscated. Court documents also revealed that Kennelly was in possession of $20,000 cash and $80,000 worth of gold coins.