After a lengthy legal battle, the UCI and WADA got a favorable ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). They appealed the doping case of Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador when the latter was cleared by the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC). Contador claimed that the positive test for the anabolic steroid clenburetol during the 2010 Tour de France was due to contaminated meat. A defense that did not satisfy UCI and WADA.

Last week, the CAS gave its verdict banning the Spanish cyclist from the sports up to August 2012. “Contador is sanctioned with a two-year period of ineligibility starting retroactively on 25 January 2011, minus the period of the provisional suspension served in 2010-2011 (5 months and 19 days). The suspension should therefore come to an end on 5 August 2012,” the CAS said in a statement.

CAS Believes Contador Used Supplement Contaminated with Clenbuterol

In the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sports, the 3-time Tour de France champion might have ingested a contaminated food supplement rather than getting the steroid from a contaminated meat. Contador failed to identify any supplement that may have caused the positive test but instead stick to his claim that he ate meat contaminated with the substance clenbuterol.

The said steroid is a common muscle enhancer in cattle production. In fact, the WADA issued warnings to professional athletes to avoid eating beef products from countries where clenbuterol use is rampant like China and Mexico.

The UCI welcomed the decision of the court saying it puts an end to the doping case which has been affecting the sports of cycling. “This is a sad day for our sport. Some may think of it as a victory, but that is not at all the case,” UCI President Pat McQuaid told the media. He added that there are no winners in doping cases.

The ruling was also appreciated by Tour de France organizer Christian Prudhomme because it ended the already lengthy doping case. “It puts an end to an interminable procedure which lasted too long and deeply embarrassed all organisers of races in which Alberto Contador took part,” he told the AFP.

Lost 2010 Tour de France Title

As a result of the 2-year ban, Alberto Contador lost his 2010 Tour de France Championship title. It will be given to Andy Schleck of Luxembourg. His Giro de Italia title will be forfeited also. Though this is a great blow to Contador’s cycling career, his sponsors will not withdraw support for the cycling champion.

Contador is optimistic that he can return fast in the cycling world. He tweeted that he’s back to work and seen doing his regular training. In a press conference last week, Contador assured the fans that he will come back to ride the best races again. “I’ll train clean as I’ve always done. Right now even though my morale is low I know I’ll come back just as strong,” he said.

Appeal to the Highest Court Possible

Contador has 30 days to appeal the ruling of CAS. Though this is a possible option, the cycling champion may just wait till the suspension ends in August. People knowledgeable in doping cases said that an appeal may take another 2 years. It will also cost Contador millions for the litigation process. Online reports revealed that Contador already spent at least 2 million euros ($2.6 million) in legal fees. Another factor to be considered by the legal team of Contador is to find procedural error in the decision of CAS.

The German sports court still hold Sinkewitz’ doping case unsettled, a year after his A and B samples both tested positive for human growth hormone.

Patrik Sinkewitz was suspended by the International Cycling Union and his team, Farnese Vini, after his drug test result revealed that he is using illegal performance enhancing drugs. His samples returned an adverse analytical finding while racing in the GP di Lugano last year.

The German cyclist has initially contested the result denying his involvement in HGH use. Questions on the validity of the laboratory result were raised by Sinkewitz calling the whole process unfair. He also threatened to take legal action against UCI regarding the doping charges issued to him.

No Official Statement from Authorities

Developments on the doping charges against Sinkewitz were not disclosed by authorities governing the procedure of the case. Although Sinkewitz case is not the only doping case that have taken an extended period of time before verdict is serve, it nevertheless stirred the interest of many since the HGH case of Sinkewitz is the first in professional cycling. EPO and testosterone are the most common PED’s used by professional cyclists.

The German Cycling Federation (BDR) said that the case has been referred to the appropriate organization. “The federation has passed the case to the appropriate sports court and it is out of our hands. Nobody at the BDR can say at the moment, how things stand,” Christine Kapp of the BDR said.

The spokeswoman for the German anti-doping agency Christina Gassner confirmed the statement given by the German Federation claiming that the doping charge against Sinkewitz is ongoing. The case is now being reviewed “for possible violations of the anti-doping rules” at the sports court of the Deutschen Institut für Schiedsgerichtbarkeit e.V. “That procedure is, like all procedures at the German sport court, not public,” Gassner added. She refused to make any further comments regarding the developments of the case.

Enrico Carpani, UCI Spokesman, also imparted to the Cyclingnews that they have not reached any decision on the Sinkewitz case as details on the said charges is still being deliberated in the German National Anti-Doping Organization.

Sinkewitz Remains Silent on the Case

Patrik Sinkewitz refused to give any comment regarding the progress and possible outcome of his doping case. “I cannot and may not say anything about the procedure,” he told Cyclingnews. “I have to wait and can’t hurry them along,” he added.

The German cyclist, amidst the HGH controversy, firmly stands to his statement and is more than determined to clear his name. His lawyer previously told the media that Sinkewits did not took any artificial HGH. With past records of using steroids wherein he served one-year suspension, clearing his name would surely take a lot of efforts on his side. Plus the fact that he also tested positive for testosterone in 2007 and later admitted to using EPO and underwent blood transfusion while riding for various teams.

His past records of using performance-enhancing drugs could possibly leave a negative note to the jury, making it harder for him to prove his innocence. A possibility of a lifetime ban in cycling will be faced by Sinkewitz if the doping charges are upheld against him.

Government prosecutors failed again in another big case against doping. The US prosecution announced Friday that they already dropped the case against the 7-time Tour de France Champion, Lance Armstrong. The country’s pride in professional cycling was dragged into doping controversy after his former teammates accused the cycling champ of undergoing systematic doping while he achieved those championship titles.

With so many charges filed against Armstrong, from fraud to conspiracy and systematic doping, the government failed to gather enough evidences that are strong enough in putting the legendary cyclist into jail. In fact, the government used all the resources in finding evidences particularly his use of performance enhancing drugs. Jeff Novitsky, one of the leading investigators in the case, even went to France and other European countries to gather doping test results.

Former Teammates Lead the List of Accusers

The steroid rumor has been haunting Armstrong for years but critics failed to get concrete evidence on his use of PED’s. It was in 2010 where cyclist Floyd Landis, a former champion involved in the use of anabolic steroids, encouraged the federal authorities to conduct an investigation on Armstrong. Landis provided “damning evidence” about the use of steroids and illegal blood transfusions of the US Postal Team where Armstrong was also a member. Landis claimed that the championship titles of Armstrong were aided by the use of illegal performance enhancing substances and methods.

Cyclist Tyler Hamilton also accused Armstrong of using EPO from 1999 to 2001 Tour de France. In the course of the investigation, former teammates and close friends were also called and testified against Armstrong. Some of them were Betsy Andreu, the wife of Frankie Andreu who was a former teammate of Armstrong; Ukrainian cyclist Yaroslav Popovych, who was part of the Armstrong team in 2005; Allen Lim, an exercise physiologist for Team Radioshack; and longtime Armstrong friend Stephanie McIlvain. All of their testimonies have been linked to the doping activities of the team and Lance Armstrong.

Witnesses not Happy

The dropping of the charges put the witnesses in shock. Betsy Andreu told the media that the legal system failed in this case as she aired her disgust on the decision of the prosecution. “This is what happens when you have a lot of money and you can buy attorneys who have people in high places in the Department of Justice,” she said. The lawyer of Hamilton also said that the dropping of criminal charges against Armstrong doesn’t mean the champion cyclist did not cheat in the competition. Landis, who even helped the feds in gathering evidence against Armstrong, has yet to give comments on the recent development of the case.

Armstrong: It’s the Right Decision

Lance Armstrong told the media that he was pleased by the decision of the prosecution. “It is the right decision and I commend them for reaching it. I look forward to continuing my life as a father, a competitor, and an advocate in the fight against cancer without this distraction,” he said. Ever since, Armstrong denied that he was involved in a systematic doping or used steroids to boost his performance in the tours that he participated in.

Some observers linked the decision to Armstrong’s charitable endeavors. His Livestrong Foundation already helped hundreds of cancer patients and continuously gaining support from various entities. Another possible reason is the lack of concrete evidence that will convict Armstrong beyond reasonable doubt. Though there were evidences that will point to his doping activities, the main charges were focused on his alleged infringement of federal laws like fraud, racketeering and criminal conspiracy. The investigation on his doping is just secondary. It’s possible that the prosecution failed to prove that Armstrong used government sponsorship to buy steroids or other PED’s.

USADA will not give up Anti-Doping Campaign in Cycling

But this is not yet a total victory for Armstrong. The USADA is not giving up on the issue of doping. USADA Chief Travis Tygart told the AP that their investigation will continue to eradicate doping in the sports of cycling. “We look forward to obtaining the information developed during the federal investigation,” he added.

They did not force me to take anabolic steroids. This is the new statement of Brazilian soccer player Daniel Carvalho after his damaging accusation on former team earlier on Monday. In an interview by a local media in Brazil, Carvalho mentioned that his former team, CSKA Moscow, gave him anabolic steroids to improve his skinny physique. That happened in 2003 where he was just starting his international career. Carvalho played as a midfielder for the CSKA Moscow.

Steroids Used to Boost Carvalho’s Physique

The player also alleged that using steroids at that time is normal since Russia has no doping test yet. The Brazilian soccer player even disclosed that steroids injections were made by the doctor of his former club. As a result, he gained almost 18 pounds just after 6 months. He opined that these injections made the players, including him, improve their physique and become stronger.

The steroid issue came out when Carvalho was asked about his current physique which is considered as overweight. The new player of Palmeiras argued it was the steroids that change his physical structure and he is now facing a hard time maintaining a better weight.

The Club did not Forced Him to Take Steroids

But after the news circulated in the internet, CSKA Moscow allegedly called Carvalho about the accusation. The player immediately issued a press release retracting his previous statement. This time, the former star player of the CSKA denied that the club forced him to take anabolic steroids. “Nobody was forced to take anything.” However, he admits that he took the same food supplements that his teammates were also taking on a regular basis. He decided to stop taking the drug after he learned about its possible health effect to his heart.

He also clarified that he doesn’t know if those injections were performance enhancing drugs. “I don’t know if it was an anabolic steroid, I don’t have the medical knowledge to know that,” Carvalho said. “If it was, it’s something that happened 10 years ago and it’s in the past. If it wasn’t, I apologize to the Russians for the badly used words,” the player added.

Carvalho’s International Fame

After playing for the Sport Club Internacional, Carvalho played for the CSKA Moscow where he received commendation for his great performance in the 2005 EUFA Cup. He received the Russian Footballer Award in that year. He help the team get their first EUFA title. The attacking midfielder was released by the CSKA Moscow in 2010 and signed for the Atletico Mineiro. Carvalho also played for Brazil national team in 2006.

Daniel Carvalho is now with the Palmeiras club hoping to show again his prowess in the field. But with this steroid issue, his credibility will be questioned. Are those 34 goals he made during his international career is aided by anabolic steroids? The CSKA will also face a PR nightmare. They have to explain if they are really involved in systematic doping of their soccer players just to win the EUFA cup.

Here’s another doping controversy. This time a top Swiss sprinter blamed his doctor for his failed steroids tests. According to the Associated Press report, Swiss sprinter Pascal Mancini will be facing a probe after he failed the steroid tests twice. Sanction has yet to be given to the track and field athlete because the Switzerland Anti-Doping Agency will still conduct investigation on the case.

Injected with Anabolic Steroids

Based on the information given by the Swiss athletics federation, Mancini was injected with the wrong type of medication. Instead of injecting cortisone, Mancini’s doctor allegedly injected the sprinter with the steroid nandrolone. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory painkiller medication but nandrolone is a type of anabolic steroid commonly used by athletes to build muscles and enhance performance. The other type of steroid was not disclosed. The sprinter will be filing a case against his doctor.

Mancini was also reprimanded by the IAAF last year for taking the ADHD drug Ritalin without permission from the athletics federation. Ritalin is a stimulant which can boost the energy of an athlete. As a result, the federation refuses to recognize the record of the Swiss team in the 4×100-meter time run in the Zurich Diamond League meet where Mancini is a team member.

Mancini Competes in World Competitions

The 22-year old track athlete has been competing in various local and international competitions representing the country. Though Mancini has no championship medals in world competition, he competed in all major track competitions. He participated in the 2007 European Junior Championships, the 2008 World Junior Championships, the 2009 European Indoor Championships and the 2010 World Indoor Championships. Pascal Mancini also competed in the 2011 European Indoor Championship in Paris

With the pending investigation on his positive steroid test, Mancini will be barred from competing in the World Championships in March which will be held in Istanbul, Turkey.

Doping Scandal in Germany will Put 28 Athletes under Investigation

Meanwhile, Germany’s anti-doping authorities will also conduct further investigation on at least 28 professional athletes who were allegedly treated by a sports doctor involved in a doping scandal. Dr. Andreas Franke, who worked at the German Olympic Sports Confederation training elite athletes, is now facing charges for using unapproved and illegal treatments. The doctor allegedly administered blood transfusions on Germany’s elite athletes which is a banned procedure under WADA rules. It is considered as doping since the blood transfusions help athletes improve their performance in endurance competition like cycling.

The AP reported that 28 names are already on the watch list of the anti-doping officials but they still need to gather more information. Some of the top athletes include former 800-meter Olympic champion Nils Schumann, former Olympic speed skating champion Claudia Pechstein, German cyclist Marcel Kittel and Jamaican long jumper James Beckford. NADA already brought a case against cyclist Jakob Steigmiller.

Officials said that some of the athletes who received blood transfusions from the doctor were still minors during that time. The names of other athletes were not disclosed publicly.

Winning in high school sports unfortunately involve more than just rigorous training and discipline. Lives of many young athletes are altered with the use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs. Reports show that the use of these drugs is increasing among aspiring high school athletes to cope up with the stiff level of competition.

Steroids and performance enhancing supplements have made their way to the corridors and playing fields of the nation’s high schools. This is a very alarming issue that has been found to cause number of untimely deaths and other adverse health risks damaging the future of young aspiring athletes.

Even though the vast majority of student-athlete considers steroid use as a way of cheating, there are some who remain unconcerned about the long-term health effects of this drug. They are willing to take steroids for the short-term benefits even if it is risky.

The authorities, government and school administrators are in continuous search for solutions in making athletes well-informed of the risk of using steroids and performance enhancers. Just recently, the lawmakers in New Jersey approved a bill that would discourage steroid use by student athletes. It is now forwarded to the governor for final approval.

Provisions of the Bill to Prevent Steroid Use

The recommendations from the 2005 Governor’s Task Force on Steroid Use and Prevention would now be a systematized regulation after receiving final legislative approval by the full Assembly. After being decided upon by a majority vote of 72-2 the bill for preventing steroid use will now head to Governor Chris Christie’s desk with high hopes to be ratified.

The bill proposes a program for random steroid testing of student athletes who qualify to compete in championship tournament authorized by NJSIAA. The state Department of Education (DOE) together with the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) would be the one to develop and implement the said program.

All public school coaches and non-public interscholastic sports, dance and cheerleading coaches are required under the bill to incorporate a gender specific program intended to reduce the use of steroids, alcohol and other drugs. The program should promote healthy nutrition and exercise. The specifics of these programs will be approved by the athletic director of the district or private school before being implemented.

Steroid Prevention Programs will be Implemented in NJ High Schools

Anti-steroid advertisements in the form of brochure, pamphlets, handout, program, book and other materials should be made available either for sale or distribution at an NJSIAA-approved tournament as stated on the bill. The DOE is also mandated by the bill to publish information and materials about preventing steroid abuse on its website.

A steroid performance enhancing supplement prevention information program will also be developed and implemented by NJSIAA under the provisions of the bill. The program should provide coaches and athletic directors with information on the dangers of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs.

It should further identify the use of steroids and performance enhancing supplements in student athletes. All public and non-public middle school and high school coaches and athletic directors should also be provided with programs that effectively incorporate healthy alternatives for strength building into coaches’ training programs.

The lawmakers also declared the 3rd week of September to be a “Steroid Awareness Week” in New Jersey. The school districts are tasked to organize activities that should increase awareness of the students about the hazards of steroid use and performance enhancing supplements.

Winning the Game without Steroids

This measure is seen by many as the best move to deter high school athletes in using steroids and other performance enhancing substance. Lawmakers and school officials still believe that games could be won even without the help of steroids. Student athletes should not put their health at risk just for the sake of that much-needed competitive edge.