Until now, the use of steroids in professional sports is still a problem of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Though they are continuously doing research on how to detect new types of steroids, dopers are always one step ahead particularly in beating the doping test implemented by the agency and other member sport organizations. WADA head David Howman has already thought possible solutions to this problem but it would be very difficult to materialize.

In an anti-doping conference held at Twickenham rugby stadium, Howman revealed that majority of steroid trade is controlled by the criminal underworld and suggested that each countries should implement their own comprehensive anti-doping policies to eradicate the use of performance enhancing drugs in the sports. The conference was sponsored by the World Sports Law Report.

Howman said that his sources from the Interpol and other law enforcement agencies revealed that the illegal distribution of anabolic steroid is still rampant. It is controlled by syndicates who are also involved in illegal betting. His sources are credible because they are experienced and knowledgeable on these issues. “They say the underworld is involved in betting, in distributing steroids and it’s the same jokers, it’s not anybody new,” Howman said. “I have been saying this for five or six years and now INTERPOL are justifying it. They now have the numbers and the information and they are really worried about it.”

Why is it that the world of sport is now a vulnerable target of syndicates? The answer is simple; there are still a lot of professional athletes who turn to steroids to enhance their performance to achieve their goals. According to Howman, another reason is the money involved in the trafficking of steroids. Some lawless elements are now shifting to steroids trade because it is more profitable than heroin.

Inadequacies in Testing and Analysis

Wada director general David Howman also claimed that other anti-doping agencies around the world have inadequate testing policies. Some anti-doping officials are not determined to go after those doping athletes especially with borderline cases. He understands that anti-doping scientists don’t want to be bothered by appeals and criticisms but it would not help deter athletes from taking banned substances. “It’s human nature. You get a borderline case and you think, ‘what are the implications going to be [if it is a positive result]? It’s going to be challenged, therefore I am going to be before a tribunal, I’m going to be rigorously cross-examined, I’m days away from the office’. All those sorts of things go through a human’s mind,” he told BBC Sport.

He gave as an example the case of Marion Jones, an Olympic gold medalist in the track and field. Jones was able to dominate her sport for several years without being caught. She was forced to admit steroid use when federal authorities were able to get evidences of her doping.

Howman’s Solution

The WADA head suggested that different countries should test each other to eradicate the use of steroids in the sport. “Why don’t we get France to drug test Germany and Germany to drug test France?” he said. “Perhaps there would be more enthusiasm for catching cheats from another country,” he added. Though this solution may be a brilliant one, do you think member countries would be amenable to this proposal?

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