Back Porch FanHouse

WWE's Jeff Hardy Arrested, Jailed on Drug Charges

Ryan Wilson — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs, Pro Wrestling, Twitter

WWE's Jeff Hardy was arrested and jailed in North Carolina on Friday after authorities searched his home and found enough drugs to start a small pharmacy. Via ProWrestling.net, police "discovered 262 Vicodin pills, 180 Soma pills, 555 milliliters of anabolic steroids, and a residual amount of powder cocaine and items of drug paraphernalia."

Apparently, you just can't just stockpile this stuff in your industrial-sized medicine cabinet with the intent to start your own business. Even if you own one of those white lab coats.

The WWE star is facing "two counts of felony possession with intent to sell or deliver a schedule three controlled substance, felony maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia."

Hardy's brother posted his bail -- allegedly $125,000 -- which, as PWTorch.com's James Caldwell writes, "... doesn't seem like a very smart investment" for "an estimated $2,500 worth of drugs." No, no it doesn't.

For his part, Hardy tweets that the news of his arrest has been blown out of proportion. "A lot of exaggerations are out there today, don't believe everything you read 4 it is not true, I am at home and fine-thanks for your concern."

WWE's Jeff Hardy Arrested, Jailed on Drug Charges originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boston Cops Busted for Steroids

Michael David Smith — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:39:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs

The Boston Police Department has disciplined 11 officers as a result of a federal investigation that uncovered steroid use in the department's ranks.

"There is an emerging trend of steroid use in law enforcement that we're monitoring very closely," Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said. "Unfortunately, we were on the leading edge of this being disclosed."

Boston police officers were suspended for anywhere from 15 to 45 days for steroid use and other offenses in an investigation that began three years ago with the FBI arrest of a Boston police officer for trafficking cocaine. None of the officers found to be using steroids were fired, and none will face criminal charges.

The Boston Globe goes into more detail:

The disciplinary action against the officers ends one of the most embarrassing chapters in the department's history, but questions linger about how effective the police can be in controlling steroid use in the department, considering how difficult it is to test for the drug. Unlike other narcotics, steroid testing is much more expensive and results from taking hair samples can be less accurate, resulting in false positives.
Davis said that since the federal investigation has begun, the department has begun training supervisors to spot signs of substance abuse, especially steroids. Supervisors are also going through "integrity training," which reviews the department's ethics, like reporting wrongdoing by other officers.

Officers and recruits must take courses that teach the health risks of using anabolic steroids. New recruits will be tested for steroids.

The Boston Police Department says all the officers who were found to use steroids will have to undergo drug tests for the rest of their careers.

Boston Cops Busted for Steroids originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Belgian Bodybuilders Refuse Drug Tests, Championship Canceled

Michael David Smith — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:53:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs

When it comes to the use of performance-enhancing drugs, no sport is completely clean and no sport is completely dirty. But on the clean to dirty spectrum, the sport that's probably the farthest on the "dirty" side is bodybuilding, those beauty pageants of musculature in which competitors are judged by the bulges in their biceps and the thickness of their thighs. And now a bodybuilding competition in Belgium has reached a new low.

The bodybuilding championships in Belgium were canceled over the weekend when a drug tester showed up and the competitors simply packed their belongings and fled at the sight of him. The Associated Press reports:

A doping official says bodybuilders just grabbed their gear and ran off when he came into the room.
"I have never seen anything like it and hope never to see anything like it again," doping official Hans Cooman said Monday.

Twenty bodybuilders were entered in the weekend competition.

Cooman says the sport has a history of doping "and this incident didn't do its reputation any good."

When Belgian bodybuilders were tested last year, three-fourths of them were found to have steroids in their systems.

Belgian Bodybuilders Refuse Drug Tests, Championship Canceled originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Mon, 18 May 2009 15:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For Clemens and Others, Their Lies Are The Truth

Terence Moore — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs

Now Roger Clemens and Jeremy Mayfield are among the latest to suggest that we should view their (ahem) alleged transgressions through the words of that old song.

"Who you gonna believe, me or your lying eyes?"

Then again, maybe we've gotten it all wrong. Maybe we've missed the point regarding Clemens' fervent denials that he used performing enhancing drugs despite his former trainer claiming he can prove otherwise with a bunch of syringes containing the pitcher's DNA. I mean, Clemens looks and sounds convincing. The same goes for Mayfield, who swears he never took illicit drugs despite the evidence of the toxicologist in charge of NASCAR's testing program.

The same goes for Pete Rose, who only recently stopped saying he never bet on baseball despite the FBI finding his fingerprints on betting slips.

The same goes for O.J. Simpson, who, well, you know.

Let's just say the list is infinite involving sports personalities seeking to convince us that up is down, green is red and ice is hot. Thus a revelation: Maybe, just maybe they actually believe their lies. After all, they were highly proficient in their area of athletics, or they still are. That means they've spent the bulk of their lifetimes training not only their bodies but their minds to perform at an incredible level for long stretches. They've willed themselves to prominence.

So, when they mess up in a dramatic and public way, they start by knowing the truth, but then they flip enough switches in their minds over time to become so efficient at perpetuating the myth that they could pass a lie detector test.

That's my theory, but my degree from Miami (Ohio) University was in economics instead of psychology. So take it from Dr. Patrick Devine, a former Atlanta Braves psychologist, who has spent the last three decades as an accomplished professor in the psychology department at Kennesaw State University.

"You bring up some good points," Dr. Devine said. "Could some of these guys have gotten to the stage where they've blocked things out of their minds, and now they believe that they didn't do them? Well, Sigmund Freud would say, yes, you can repress those thoughts. There's always the possibility that you can take bad thoughts and actions and shove them into your subconscious and make them not a part of your conscious awareness. That's especially true in cases like these involving great players, where you've got a lot riding on the outcome. You've got your legacy and the Hall of Fame involved in some cases, so the tendency is denial, denial, denial."

Sound familiar?

Just plug in a name. Any name, but Marion Jones will do at this point. After years of angry denials that she used steroids to pump extra juice into her legs for those five gold medals during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, she confessed. This was after she kept lying to everybody, including to two grand juries.

DYST V3 test

LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers watches as Mo Williams #2 takes a shoe to the face by Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers after a steal in the closing seconds of the first half at The Quicken Loans Arena on February 8, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (David Liam Kyle, NBAE/Getty Images)

David Liam Kyle, NBAE/Getty Images

Brazil's Diogo (L) vies for the ball with Paraguay's Hernan Perez during their U-20 South American Championship football match in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela on February 8, 2009.(Juan Barreto, AFP/Getty Images )

Juan Barreto, AFP/Getty Images

A Dalmatian looks at its handler as a judge goes to touch the dog during the first day of the 2009 Westminster Dog Show in New York February 9, 2009.(Lucas Jackson, Reuters)

Lucas Jackson, Reuters

Denver Nuggets forward Chris Anderson touches his head during a time out in the first half of their NBA basketball game with the New Jersey Nets in East Rutherford, New Jersey February 7, 2009. (Ray Stubblebine, Reuters)

Ray Stubblebine, Reuters

Margarita Marbler, of Austria, skis to a bronze medal finish the ladies moguls freestyle FIS World Cupskiing qualification at Cypress mountain in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. (Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press/AP)

Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press/AP

West Virginia guard Darryl Bryant (25) is fouled by Providence guard Jeff Xavier (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Morgantown, W.Va. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. West Virginia won 86-59. (Don Wright, AP)

Don Wright, AP

Missouri's DeMarre Carroll, top, celebrates the Tigers' 62-60 win over Kansas in Columbia, Missouri, Monday, February 9, 2009. (Rich Sugg, Kansas City Star/MCT)

Rich Sugg, Kansas City Star/MCT

David Clarkson #23 of the New Jersey Devils fights Erik Reitz #4 of the New York Rangers during their game on February 9, 2009 at The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey (Al Bello, Getty Images)

Al Bello, Getty Images

Driver Patrick Sheltra (60) begins to spin coming out of the fourth turn during the ARCA 200 auto race in Daytona Beach, Fla. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009.

Darryl Graham, AP

Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives serves the ball, in this multiple exposure, to Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic during their Fed Cup tennis match in Brno February 7, 2009.

Petr Josek, Reuters

The point is, Jones almost believed her lie, but her conscious got in the way. Such a thing hasn't happened to Barry Bonds or Floyd Landis, both accused of knowingly taking performance-enhancing drugs and both claiming their innocence. That means they both either are the most unjustly persecuted athletes of our time, or they both are seeking to join Alice in Wonderland.

Or they both actually believe their lies.

"The seasoned guys, like what we're talking about here, such as a Roger Clemens and others -- yeah, they've trained themselves to block out the negative and to emphasize the positive in all situations," Dr. Devine said. "You walk a guy, and then you have to look at the next batter as if this is going to be a strikeout. I'm just talking in generalities, because I'm obviously not involved with any of these situations. But when you can push things out of your mind to this extent, it puts you more into the possibility of saying, 'Well, what I did was really OK.' In the case of performance-enhancing drug use, for instance, it starts to become like, 'Well, everybody else is doing it.' So it makes it easier to deny usage over time, especially if you get caught."

The key phrase is "if you get caught." Those who don't will live with their lie forever, which only makes sense.

To them, the statute of limitations on a lie is never.

Terence Moore is a national columnist and commentator for FanHouse. He is a frequent panelist on "Rome Is Burning," an ESPN show hosted by Jim Rome, that is seen Monday through Friday at 4:30 PM ET. Moore spent more than three decades working for major newspapers, including 26 years as an award-winning sports columnist for the San Francisco Examiner and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He resides in Atlanta.

For Clemens and Others, Their Lies Are The Truth originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Mon, 18 May 2009 12:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Week in Review: You Go, Girl

David Whitley — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs, Horse Racing, Featured Stories

On behalf of David Feherty, I'd like to apologize for the following column. It again takes shots at House Mis-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, not to mention her fellow victims of CIA subterfuge, Roger Clemens, Tim Floyd and Mine That Bird.

Who knew the CIA was plotting to overthrow the Preakness? You will after reading the latest installment of Week in Review.

Last Sunday -- Former Vice President Dick Cheney goes on "Face the Nation" and warns that the Obama Administration's policies are making it easier for Brett Favre to "never just retire and leave us the hell alone."

Critics call for Feherty's head after he says U.S. troops would rather shoot Pelosi than Osama bin Laden. Pelosi says the CIA assured her that U.S. does not have any troops.

Jockey Calvin Borel says he is leaving Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird for another woman.

Monday -- As a new book detailing his steroid use goes on sale, Roger Clemens reiterates that he never, ever used banned substances. And if he did it was only because the CIA hid Human Growth Hormone in his rosin bag.

After Dallas beats Denver in Game 4, a TV cameraman calls Mark Cuban a thug and shoves the Mavs owner out of the way. The NBA rewards the cameraman $25,000

In the next-to-last episode of "24," Jack Bauer tries to save the world from a Nuggets-Magic championship final.

Tuesday -- Pelosi refuses to accept Feherty's apology until he admits he lied to her about CBS' plans to waterboard anyone suspected of beating Tiger Woods.

Pope Benedict goes to the Western Wall and sticks in a note praying that college football will junk the BCS for a playoff.

After Dwight Howard gets zero shots in a Game 5 loss to Boston, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy climbs to the top of Space Mountain and threatens to jump unless people stop calling him the Master of Panic.

Wednesday -- Yahoo! Sports reports that USC coach Tim Floyd gave $1,000 to one of O.J. Mayo's flunkies. Floyd said he can prove his innocence and produces a receipt showing the money actually went to Reggie Bush.

Washington's Ryan Zimmerman's hitting streak ends at 30 games. Pelosi blames George W. Bush.

After reviewing semi-nude photos of Miss California, Donald Trump says Carrie Prejean can keep her crown because "she's really hot."

Thursday -- The Obama Administration announces the closing of 400 failing Chrysler dealers and 18 Major League Soccer franchises.

Favre visits famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who threatens to suture his mouth shut if Favre doesn't announce his retirement soon.

Astronauts repair the Hubble Space Telescope, which then locates Manny Ramirez hiding in his condo on Pluto.

Friday -- Hundreds of Notre Dame students say they will boycott graduation ceremonies unless commencement speaker President Barack Obama says he will no longer support Charlie Weis.

CIA Director Leon Panetta says the agency was only being truthful when it told Pelosi she needed a facelift.

Assistant coach Pat Ewing guarantees Orlando will beat Boston in Game 7. Van Gundy immediately starts taking hostages and threatening to shoot them if Ewing can't teach Howard how to shoot a turnaround jumper in the next 36 hours.

Saturday -- With Borel doing the whipping, Rachel Alexandra becomes the first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years. Mine That Bird's owners vow revenge and sign Tony Stewart to ride the horse in the Belmont.

Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison says he will not attend the White House reception next week because he'll be too tempted to steal the silverware.

Us Weekly reports that "Jon & Kate Plus 8" mom Kate Gosselin told her husband that at least three of their sextuplets belong to Travis Henry.

Can't-miss predictions for the upcoming week:

-- Favre again announces his irrevocable retirement, unless he decides he feels good enough to run in the Belmont.

-- The Obama Administration makes Feherty apologize to bin Laden for calling him a "terrorist."

-- Pelosi will swear under oath that Brian McNamee never injected her with Botox.

Week in Review: You Go, Girl originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sun, 17 May 2009 16:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Did Nancy Pelosi Know About Manny's Drug Use?

David Whitley — Sun, 10 May 2009 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs, Featured Stories, Sports Media, Current Events

What a crazy week. I'd say it was a news week on steroids, but that would just prompt the week to blame everything on its doctor who prescribed the drugs.

From Manny Ramirez's departure to A-Rod's return, the news spun like a roulette wheel. That made it just like most weeks in this 24-7 news era, which is why we here at FanHouse decided a Week in Review column was needed.

On Sundays, you have time to relax and reflect. That's why TV has pseudo-intellectual shows like "Meet The Press," "This Week With George What's-His-Name" and "The Sports Reporters."

This column will remain apolitical unless Air Force One buzzes New York City just to get a photo of the plane flying over Mike Lupica's ego. Then we'd blame it on George W. Bush and move ahead. So without further ado, let's do just that.

Last Sunday -- Tiger Woods finishes fourth at the Quail Hollow Championship, making it two straight tournaments without a win. Congress calls an emergency session to consider spending $20 billion to rebuild Tiger's swing.

Atlanta eliminates Miami to win the right to get swept by Cleveland in Round 2. Vice President Joe Biden urges Hawks fans to remain calm unless they have ridden on an airplane or subway in the previous week, in which case they should immediately run naked down the street screaming "I have the Swine Flu!"

Monday -- "A-Rod," the book alleging Alex Rodriguez started taking steroids in the second grade, goes on sale. Not to be upstaged, the mother of pitcher Joba Chamberlain is arrested on suspicion of selling methamphetamine to an undercover policeman.

In an exclusive interview, Jacqueline Standley tells Katie Couric she has never taken meth. The Yankees then send her to their Tampa minor league facility for rehab.

After studying the latest playoff TV ratings, the U.S. Department of Justice announces it will start utilizing the NHL for its Federal Witness Protection Program.

Tuesday -- Brett Favre is spotted at a Hattiesburg, Miss., feed store wearing a Vikings jersey. All over America fans quickly stage candlelight vigils praying Favre will just go away.

Boston beats New York 7-3 to complete a two-game sweep at the new Yankee Stadium. The reeling Yankees announce Standley is being called up and will start against Tampa Bay on Wednesday night.

Wednesday -- After more than 500 years of protecting popes, the Swiss Guard announces it may consider opening its ranks to women. Augusta National issues a statement saying it will not be pressured into admitting a female member.

The NCAA releases its Academic Progress Report, which tracks retention and graduation rates at member institutions. The worst five schools are South Florida, Mississippi, Minnesota, Washington State and Arizona.

In unrelated news, the first preseason football poll is released. The top five teams are South Florida, Mississippi, Minnesota, Washington State and Arizona.

Oprah Winfrey unveils a coupon giveaway for KFC, prompting millions of Americans to stop watching for Brett Favre updates in order to go stand in line for a free grilled chicken dinner.

In Game 2 of the Western Conference semis, Kobe Bryant grabs Jack Nicholson's courtside seat and hits Shane Battier over the head with it. The officials immediately eject Ron Artest.

Thursday -- Baseball suspends Ramirez for 50 games. Various reports say Ramirez tested positive for HCG, a women's fertility drug often used to mask steroid use.

Eddie "The Squealer" Clemenza scores the winning goal as Chicago beat Vancouver in the Stanley Cup Federal Witness playoffs.

National Intelligence officials release memos indicating House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lied when she said knew nothing about the CIA's "harsh interrogation techniques" on enemy combatants. The report also indicated Bud Selig knew baseball players were mainlining female fertility drugs for the past 15 years but did nothing because no player gave birth to triplets.

Friday -- Favre sends X-rays of his ailing right shoulder to the Vikings for evaluation. Team doctors tell coach Brad Childress it appears Favre has at least 25 more interceptions left in the shoulder.

A-Rod hits a three-run homer against Baltimore in his first at-bat of the season. Orioles manager Dave Trembley plays the game under protest until the results of Rodriguez's post-game pregnancy test are back.

Rick Pitino reportedly has interest in leaving Louisville to coach the Sacramento Kings. The Kings request Pitino send them X-rays of his head to make sure there is something in there.

Saturday -- Jeremy Mayfield becomes the first NASCAR driver suspended for violating its substance abuse policy. Officials won't identify the substance, but unconfirmed media reports say traces of Valvoline were found in Mayfield's urine.

Yao Ming is ruled out of the playoffs with a broken foot after X-rays show a miniaturized Derek Fisher hitting Yao's third metatarsal with a ball-peen hammer.

David Feherty jokes that U.S. troops would rather shoot Pelosi than Osama bin Laden. Pelosi's office immediately issues a statement saying she was not aware U.S. troops used real bullets.

Predictions for the upcoming week:

-- Favre will announce he is absolutely, positively most definitely retired, unless the Dodgers need an outfielder.

-- LeBron James will score as many points as he darned well pleases as the Cavaliers sweep the Hawks.

-- While rounding third base after hitting his fifth homer in a week, A-Rod gives birth to an eight-pound baby boy that Madonna immediately adopts.

David Whitley has been a sports columnist at the Orlando Sentinel for 10 years. He previously worked at the Tampa Tribune, San Antonio Light and Tallahassee Democrat. Like all journalists, he has won numerous awards, though most of his have been at state fairs when he dressed as various farm animals. He lives in Orlando with his wife, two daughters, two dogs, two cats, all of whom are forbidden from owning a fantasy team in any sport.

Did Nancy Pelosi Know About Manny's Drug Use? originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sun, 10 May 2009 13:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HausCast 20: Jay Mariotti Talks Manny, Favre, Dirk's Ladyfriend and Tiger

Will Brinson — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs, TV and Movies, Sports Media, FanHouse Exclusive, Podcast

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

We get to celebrate our 20th HausCast by welcoming FanHouse's own Jay Mariotti, whom you've likely heard of, due to his presence on your tee-vee screens every day at 5 on "Around the Horn", not to mention his work here at the 'Haus. Fortunately, there's plenty of heavy news to choose from: Manny Ramirez suspended for 50 games, Brett Favre deciding he won't come back to football after all, and Dirk Nowitzki getting busted in a very weird relationship. Ryan and I discuss this super-trifecta of sports news with Jay and then bounce around the idea of golfers on steroids, just for shiggles. Enjoy.

HausCast 20: Jay Mariotti Talks Manny, Favre, Dirk's Ladyfriend and Tiger originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 08 May 2009 09:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With Little Funding, Steroid Testing Nixed In Florida High Schools

Tom Mantzouranis — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs, High School, Current Events

People haven't stopped ranting and raving about steroids in MLB, but the incredulity that trickled down from the beginning of this mess into all levels of baseball --and sports in general -- appears to have slowed. Not many states were as quick to jump on the bandwagon to test high school athletes as New Jersey, the first, with only three others (Illinois, Texas, and Florida) joining the cause.

But the economy, as it has been wont to do lately, has hung a black cloud over that initiative in Florida, and a lack of funding has caused the state to cancel the testing program.

"We completely understand," said Cristina Alvarez, spokeswoman for the Florida High School Athletic Association. "We know that money has to go to certain things right now to help the entire state, not just one association."

While Brinson is correct in pointing out elsewhere that the "nip it in the bud" mentality about high school testing is crucial in seriously stemming the future use of steroids in professional sports (especially since, you know, keeping kids healthy is supposed to be the goal, not keeping a number in a record book "sacred"), there are high schools across the country that can't afford athletic programs or, more importantly, text books. When you look at the state of American schools in general, the cancellation of Florida's testing program is put into perspective a bit. Especially since only one student out of 600 tested produced a positive test. The cost didn't match the benefit.

Of course, Brinson also notes that perhaps we wouldn't have to choose about which pretty important priority to sacrifice in our schools if our national and state finances were spent better all along, but if utopias were that easy to come by a lot of things wouldn't be the way they are now.

The sad truth is we're stuck in this situation, and if we're choosing where to cut our money, I don't blame Florida for going this route until the economy turns around. Turning the economy around, as it turns out, will solve a lot of our nation's problems. Imagine that.

Or we can scrutinize Alex Rodriguez's daily life instead. That seems much more productive.

HT Mouthpiece Sports

With Little Funding, Steroid Testing Nixed In Florida High Schools originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lance Armstrong Abandons Anti-Dope Testing Before It Begins

Shane Bacon — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs, Cycling

In the wake of the Alex Rodriguez admission to steroid use, you'd think athletes are doing whatever they can to keep their name and steroids as far apart as possible, especially if they've been questioned in the past.

Not the case for seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, who, after announcing his comeback to cycling, claimed that he would be undergoing some comprehensive testing by Don Catlin, basically the Tiger Woods of anti-doping scientists. The tests were to be extremely strict and available for everyone on the Internet, but have since been canceled without Catlin ever getting a chance to test Armstrong even once.

"In the real world, when you try to implement a program as grandiose as what you had in mind, it just becomes so complicated that it's better not to try," Catlin said, adding that a contract with Armstrong had never been signed. "We're all disappointed, but it's just not going to be possible."

Basically, the story explains that in a world where testing cyclists is now even more important than ever, having such an intense assignment to just one athlete is too much for either party to handle. Armstrong announced on his Twitter page that as of Feb. 4, he has been tested 16 times, and will continue to be tested by the International Cycling Union and the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

As you probably can assume, people are a little suspect of this thing not working out.

Dick Pound, former chief of the World Anti-Doping Agency, last week said: "Armstrong made all the big announcements and the testing has dropped right off the radar. No sign that anything is actually getting done."

From the article, it appears it was just more trouble than the whole thing was worth. The "making it public on the Internet" thing was solid in theory but proved to be a burden when concern arose that normal people, like you and I that don't speak Biology lingo, wouldn't totally understand that charts and might make false assumptions.

As for the testing, Catlin said he couldn't even find a spot during Armstrong's race in Australia to test the American rider.

"There are so many people lining up to test cyclists right now," Catlin said. "We tried to do one sample in Australia, but we didn't even get that done because it was so hectic. There are practical issues, but I think someday that will change."

I guess being really good at something these days just isn't enough. If you're good, you must have cheated and if you didn't cheat the system, you cheated the results. I guess when on a bike, there is no "innocent until proven guilty" business. There's just guilty.

Lance Armstrong Abandons Anti-Dope Testing Before It Begins originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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8 Arrests Made in Michael Phelps 'Case'

Will Brinson — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:10:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs, College Sports, Sports Media, Current Events, Swimming

Michael Phelps and his bong, despite the best intentions of Alex Rodriguez, will simply not go away. That's probably because Sheriff Leon Lott won't let the whole "smoking pot in a picture" thing go, and, as a result of the sheriff's investigation into the party that Phelps attended, eight arrests have been made. (No word yet on whether any were a result of swindling Phelps out of two grand in beer pong.)

Michael Phelps Snapshots

EDITORS, PHOTO EDITORS, LIBRARIANS - DELETE FROM YOUR SYSTEMS, AND DO NOT PUBLISH, AP PHOTO NY162 OF FEB. 5, SHOWING MICHAEL PHELPS HOLDING A BOX OF KELLOGG'S CORN FLAKES. PHELPS HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED SMOKING MARIJUANA OR INHALING FROM A MARIJUANA PIPE

EDITORS, PHOTO EDITORS, LIBRARIANS - DELETE FROM YOUR SYSTEMS, AND DO NOT PUBLISH, AP PHOTO NY160 OF FEB. 5, SHOWING MICHAEL PHELPS ON THE COVER OF A BOX OF KELLOGG'S CORN FLAKES. PHELPS HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED SMOKING MARIJUANA OR INHALING FROM A MARIJUANA PIPE ** NO SALES **

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, front, and Olympic medal winner Katie Hoff, rear, train at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps trains at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps takes a break while training at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps trains at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

That's right: eight people, likely being questioned about Phelps' presence at the party and the bong (which was being sold on eBay!) in question were caught in the crossfire and the resulting smoke.

[WIS News 10 has] learned that since investigators began trying to build a case, they've made eight arrests: seven for drug possession and one for distribution. These are arrests that resulted as the sheriff's department served search warrants.

We've also learned that the department has located and confiscated that bong.

Sources say the owner of the bong was trying to sell it on eBay for as much as $100,000.

The owner, who wasn't even at the party, is one of the eight now charged.

This really is getting out of hand, folks. Seriously, what's next -- attempting to charge anyone who bid on the bong with "intent to get stoned"? I understand why Sheriff Lott wants to go after Phelps; I'm just as eager for the public spotlight as the next guy.

But this is valuable tax dollars being wasted on a bunch of fraternity kids, when there's probably some other guy in a trailer by a field just outside Colombia, South Carolina, with a bunch of marijuana who is far more deserving of the good sheriff's intentions than these kids.

On the bright side, as noted by News 10, at least South Carolina governor Mark Sanford came out against the potential arrest of the Olympic champion, stating that, "I don't see what it gets at this point." At least he's interested in getting re-elected, unlike, apparently, Sheriff Lott.

8 Arrests Made in Michael Phelps 'Case' originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Phelps Discusses Walking Away

Will Brinson — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 01:30:00 EST

Filed under: Blogs, PEDs, Sports Media, Current Events, Swimming

Michael Phelps has endured an incredible amount of media criticism following photos of him smoking marijuana hitting the Internet. He admitted that it was him in the photos, he was threatened with prosecution enforcement community and his choice to partake in an illegal drug has been discussed in every possible forum.

Now that the smoke has cleared (yes, intended), he's finally discussing the personal repercussions, and frankly, it's kind of sad to hear.

[...]Michael Phelps said today that the intense public scrutiny has him contemplating whether he will swim in the 2012 Olympics.

[...]"This is a decision of mine that I'm not going to make today and I'm not going to make tomorrow," Phelps said. "It's going to require a lot of time and energy and a lot of thinking for myself. But also talking to [coach] Bob [Bowman] and talking to my family and just deciding what I want to do.

Phelps continued on, stating that he is not a regular smoker of marijuana and that "this was stupid and I know it won't happen again" in addition to plenty of other very apologetic statements.

Here's the thing: Phelps' story is going to pass, sooner or later. He's not competing in the Olympics for another three-and-a-half years and we'll find something else to focus on during that time, I can guarantee you.

But for now, he's somehow found himself at the center of a debate that's been raging for years, the legalization of marijuana, and one that I'd rather not tackle right now, because it's too complex and too deeply ingrained in our society (in completely paradoxical ways, mind you) to make it even worth arguing.

The important point is this: if you are a professional athlete and/or extremely famous celebrity, and you decide to engage in some sort of illegal (or immoral or just seemingly incredulous, even) behavior in public, you need to be fully prepared to accept the consequences of said actions.

We live in a society that, for better or worse, is far too scrutinizing of everyone's actions for anyone -- and this applies to drunk frat kids as much as famous folks -- to think that doing something stupid will be given a free pass.

Everyone, please: learn this lesson, because if this is the last time you see a public figure get nailed publicly by someone with a camera phone or digital camera for doing something ridiculous, I'll drive down to South Carolina, get filmed taking a bunch of bongrips and put it on YouTube myself.

Did You See That?

The field clears a fence during the New Season Handicap Steeplechase during the at Ludlow Racecourse on September 16, 2008 in Ludlow, England.

Emanuele Canonica of Italy helps his caddie in the rescue of a pigeon from the water around the 18th green during the first round of the Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course on October 16, 2008 in Vilamoura, Portugal.

A multiexposure image showing Britain's Andy Murray returning to Croatian Marin Cilic during a last sixteen tennis match at the Madrid Masters in Madrid on October 16, 2008. Andy Murray won 7-5, 7-6.

English football fans dressed in armours and tunics play in a friendly match against Belarus fans in Minsk on October 15, 2008 before the start of the Belarus vs. England 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier of European group 6 match.

Travis Brigley (R) of Hamburg fights with Matt Keith (L) of Ingolstadt during the DEL match between Hamburg Freezers and ERC Ingolstadt at the Color Line Arena on October 14, 2008 in Hamburg, Germany.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko returns a ball to US Robby Ginepri during a second round tennis match at the Masters in Madrid on October 15, 2008.

A golf ball which has been enveloped by the tree over many years is pictured during the pro-am for the Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course on October 15, 2008 in Vilamoura, Portugal.

Andy Murray of Great Britain plays football during his training session prior to his thrid round match tomorrow at the Madrid Masters tennis tournament at the Madrid Arena on October 15, 2008 in Madrid, Spain.

Samuel Peter from Nigeria gets a punch from Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine during their WBC heavyweight boxing world championship fight in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008. Klitschko won the fight after round nine due to technical knock out.

Herbert Knosowski, AP

Japan's Kyoko Hamaguchi (lower) fights with China's Hong Yan (red) during the semi-final of the 72kg class of the Women's Wrestling World Championships in Tokyo on October 13, 2008. Hong defeated Hamaguchi and will face Bulgaria's Stanka Zlateva in the final.

Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP/Getty Images

Michael Phelps Discusses Walking Away originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 01:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Phelps Threatened by Sheriff

Will Brinson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: Blogs, ESPN, PEDs, Sports Media, Current Events, Swimming

Michael Phelps has "suffered" enough indignity from this whole bong smoking business already, having already been forced to admit that he was the guy ripping tubes. Right? I mean, we can let him walk away with less endorsement money, all the while realizing how stupid his mistake was ... right?

Wrong. Sigh. Leon Lott, the Richland County, South Carolina sheriff, wants to charge Phelps with a crime. No freaking joke, man.

"This case is no different than any other case," Lott said yesterday. "This one might be a lot easier since we have photographs of someone using drugs and a partial confession. It's a relatively easy case once we can determine where the crime occurred."

Possession of marijuana is a misdemeanour, punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a $570 (£395) fine, plus court costs.

Now, what we have here is pretty clearly the case of another uppity lawdog getting wind of some potential fame by trying to prosecute a celebrity. Only it's not like O.J. Simpson or Michael Jackson here -- he's threatening Phelps with something he can't really prove (I think).

I understand that Phelps had, in his hands, a bong. This bong is supposedly used to smoke marijuana. So in theory, he would have been possessing marijuana at the time of the picture, if you're following Lott's logic. But if the potweed's not Phelps', what happens then? He didn't actually posses it -- and besides, there's no actual proof of the fact that there's marijuana in the bong anyway.

Ideally, someone will squash Lott's excitement over actually pursuing this pretty quickly, and we can all just move on.

Did You See That?

The field clears a fence during the New Season Handicap Steeplechase during the at Ludlow Racecourse on September 16, 2008 in Ludlow, England.

A multiexposure image showing Britain's Andy Murray returning to Croatian Marin Cilic during a last sixteen tennis match at the Madrid Masters in Madrid on October 16, 2008. Andy Murray won 7-5, 7-6.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko returns a ball to US Robby Ginepri during a second round tennis match at the Masters in Madrid on October 15, 2008.

Herbert Knosowski, AP

Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP/Getty Images

Michael Phelps Threatened by Sheriff originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Phelps Admits Smoking Weed Picture Was Indeed Him

Will Brinson — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Blogs, PEDs, Sports Media, Swimming

On Saturday, a report from News of the World published an alleged picture of Michael Phelps holding a bong (above) and smoking weed (or, "marijuana") and immediately made waves across the internet. Admittedly, the picture wasn't perfect and there was no guarantee that it was Phelps in the photo.

Until Phelps admitted Sunday that it was him holding the bong.

In a statement released to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games conceded the authenticity of the exclusive picture published Sunday by the tabloid News of the World.

Phelps said: "I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."

The nice thing is that -- unlike many steroid abusers -- Phelps has simply admitted that he got caught, even if it was a few months after the fact. That, in my mind, goes a fairly long way towards helping Phelps rehab a clearly damaged image.

Some folks have stated that the media's making too big a deal out of this; yet I don't think it can be overstated just how much Phelps might have cost himself in terms of endorsement money over the past few months.

Did You See That?

The field clears a fence during the New Season Handicap Steeplechase during the at Ludlow Racecourse on September 16, 2008 in Ludlow, England.

A multiexposure image showing Britain's Andy Murray returning to Croatian Marin Cilic during a last sixteen tennis match at the Madrid Masters in Madrid on October 16, 2008. Andy Murray won 7-5, 7-6.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko returns a ball to US Robby Ginepri during a second round tennis match at the Masters in Madrid on October 15, 2008.

Herbert Knosowski, AP

Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP/Getty Images

Michael Phelps Admits Smoking Weed Picture Was Indeed Him originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Phelps' Bong Picture Causing Quite a Stir (If It's Him)

Will Brinson — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Blogs, PEDs, Sports Media, Current Events, Swimming

Michael Phelps, Olympic hero, has allegedly been busted smoking out of a bong (which is a large glass pipe used to smoke marijuana). Presuming the accuracy of these photos, the "Michael Phelps Bong Incident" will become the latest in a line of events that have moved Phelps away from "Olympic hero" status and into the dreaded "sketchy athlete" realm.

The photo, which you can view here, comes from News of the World and it apparently portray Phelps at a University of South Carolina house party, following Cypress Hill's advice.

It was on November 6, weeks after his Beijing triumph, that 23-year-old Phelps surprised students at the University Of South Carolina in Columbia by showing up unannounced at a house party.

He was visiting Jordan Matthews, a girl he was secretly seeing who was a student there.

Our source revealed: "Michael came to visit Jordan but ended up just getting wasted every night."

News of the World is obviously making a big deal out of this -- they stand to make a ton of money in name recognition and Web site traffic once the word of this gets front and center. But really, is it that surprising that a 23-year-old uber-celebrity likes to party? I say -- emphatically -- "no."

However, that doesn't make Phelps' decision to throw down in public at a major university (in this day and age of camera phones, etc.) any less ridiculous.

And while advertisers can certainly forgive his tabloid-friendly romances, a shoddy SNL performance and even his bringing home a cocktail waitress for Thanksgiving, if these photos prove to be Phelps ripping tubes, you better believe that his market value is going to take a tremendous plunge.

Did You See That?

The field clears a fence during the New Season Handicap Steeplechase during the at Ludlow Racecourse on September 16, 2008 in Ludlow, England.

A multiexposure image showing Britain's Andy Murray returning to Croatian Marin Cilic during a last sixteen tennis match at the Madrid Masters in Madrid on October 16, 2008. Andy Murray won 7-5, 7-6.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko returns a ball to US Robby Ginepri during a second round tennis match at the Masters in Madrid on October 15, 2008.

Herbert Knosowski, AP

Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP/Getty Images

Michael Phelps' Bong Picture Causing Quite a Stir (If It's Him) originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stephanie McMahon Talks Steroids, Tells Congress That Hulk Hogan Is 'Terrible'

Michael David Smith — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs, Pro Wrestling

When the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform decided to look into steroid and illegal drug use in pro wrestling, three members of the McMahon family were called to testify. We've already addressed the testimony of WWE head Vince McMahon and his wife Linda McMahon, but the appearance before the committee of daughter Stephanie McMahon Levesque may have been the most interesting.

Stephanie (who is pictured between her mom and her husband Paul Levesque, better known as the wrestler Triple H) attempted to explain to Congressional investigators what constitutes a good and bad wrestler, and she informed them in the process that Hulk Hogan was "terrible" at the art of professional wrestling, that Stone Cold Steve Austin was one of the pro wrestlers who really understood what it meant to have the "it" factor, and that giving Chris Benoit (who later killed his wife, his son and himself) time off to deal with family issues was an example of the WWE's good treatment of its talent.

As was the case when Vince testified, the WWE's lawyer, Jerry McDevitt, was an interesting part of the proceedings. At one point, Stephanie told the investigators, "Within our vernacular, we have 'babyfaces' and 'heels,' babyfaces being the good guys, heels being the bad guys."

McDevitt then interrupted and said to the investigators, "Would you like to guess which side you guys are on?"

One investigator replied, "I will wait for the script."

In explaining how Stephanie's parents are her bosses, she told the investigators, "I report to Mr. McMahon. I call him Vince in business, so please don't be deterred by that. At home he is Dad. And Linda is the same way; in business she is Linda, and at home she is Mom."

In explaining how wrestlers become big stars, Stephanie said, "You really don't even have to be a good wrestler. Hulk Hogan was a terrible wrestler, and he still is. ... I am sure he would disagree with that. I forget this is all public. But, you know, he was. He was a terrible wrestler."

McMahon later said of her Hogan comment, "I didn't really realize I was on the record and wasn't thinking about that."

When the investigator suggested that WWE wrestlers are at risk of concussions because of chair shots and pile drivers, Stephanie disagreed.

"We only allow two people to do pile drivers," she said. "And they are two of the stronger guys, superstars who have done these maneuvers for a long time, really know how to do them safely. They are very rare. They have to be approved. Pile drivers, chair shots, everything has to be approved, and it is all approved by Vince."

But the subject of the investigation was steroids, and it was clear that the investigators wanted her to say that getting bigger and more muscular was the way to move up in the wrestling world. Stephanie wouldn't bite.

When asked whether she ever told a wrestler to get bigger, she answered, "No. The only time physical appearance has ever come into play is, I had to ask a diva to lose some weight ‐‐ which was very uncomfortable, by the way."

But while Stephanie wants the divas to look good, she also said pro wrestling doesn't just appeal to young males: "Vince's feeling and his company philosophy has always been, well, we are a cross‐section of Americana," she said.

Although Stephanie didn't get nearly as upset with the investigators as her father did, McDevitt, the WWE's lawyer, got testy with the Congressional investigator as the testimony wore on. This was one of several heated exchanges:

Q: Did you have any opinion about whether there was any widespread use of steroids among WWE talent?
A: No, I had no opinion on the subject.
Q: You had no opinion, meaning you didn't think there was widespread use?
Mr. McDevitt. She just said she had no opinion on the subject, Counsel. Did you hear her answer?

When the investigator asked Stephanie if the WWE had ever hired a wrestler who was rumored to be on steroids, McDevitt interrupted and said, "Give her a specific factual predicate and she'll answer the question, but don't deal in rumor mongering for Christ's sake."

You might think the last person the WWE would have wanted to talk about was Benoit, whose double murder suicide tarnished the WWE's name. But Stephanie actually brought up Benoit without the investigators even mentioning him. At one point while discussing wrestlers' schedules, Stephanie said, "Chris Benoit came to us and said that he was having a very difficult time and he needed time off for home. And so Talent Relations made the call, and Talent Relations told Creative Writing we are not going to have Benoit for four months. So no problem."

Stephanie also informed Congress that "s**t the bed" is an important term in wrestling parlance. When Stephanie said the WWE looks for wrestlers who have "it," she and the Congressional investigator had this exchange:

Q: And "it" is, sort of, charisma?
A: It is the total package, yes. It is the charisma. It the ability to take the audience on a ride. It is hopefully some wrestling ability, because you can't ‐‐ again, to use the parlance of our business ‐‐ s**t the bed when you are out there. Excuse me.
Q It is a business term, I understand.
A It actually is, believe it or not.

Later in the questioning, an investigator tried to get Stephanie to acknowledge that part of having "it" was being muscular. But Stephanie was having none of that.

"No, not necessarily," she said. "I mean we have a guy right now that is a really big, fat, bloppy guy. I mean, that's the only, really, way to describe him; and I shouldn't say his name now because it's going to be on record. He is a spectacle. He is an attraction. There are some attractions that we certainly look for in our business. I mean, we have a giant, a giant colleague right now. We have a midget ‐‐ a little person, sorry."

Then, as she discussed the WWE's various champions, McMahon said, "Our champion on SmackDown right now, Batista, is also a good‐looking guy, and he is more of the ‐‐ more of the bigger kind of kick‐your‐ass‐type guy. Excuse my language again."

The investigator replied, "This is Congress. We can take it."

The Oversight Committee web site has a PDF of Stephanie's testimony.

Stephanie McMahon Talks Steroids, Tells Congress That Hulk Hogan Is 'Terrible' originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Linda McMahon Suggests Ted Turner Lured Wrestlers by Not Testing for Steroids

Michael David Smith — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: Wrestling, PEDs

In the early 1990s, the WWF (now WWE) made a concerted effort to combat a public perception that its stars were using steroids, with wrestlers like Hulk Hogan appearing in videos like this to praise the organization's drug testing policies:

But by the mid-90s, the professional wrestling landscape had changed significantly, with Ted Turner offering huge sums of money to lure wrestlers to his promotion, the WCW.

And as recently released Congressional testimony from WWE officials makes clear, the WWE thinks that Turner attracted pro wrestlers in part because they knew they could get away with using steroids in his organization.

Linda McMahon, the CEO of the WWE and the wife of Vince McMahon, answered questions for Congressional investigators on December 13, 2007, and a transcript of that question-and-answer session has just been released (PDF). And while Linda's interview didn't have anything close to the fireworks of her husband's, it did contain one choice nugget about Turner.

"(W)e had put into place a pretty significant drug policy which he refused to put into place," Linda McMahon told the investigators, "so (Turner) had a lot of opportunity with some of our top stars, Hulk Hogan being one of them who went with him at that time."

Later, an investigator asked, "Do you think their lack of drug policy had anything to do with talent moving to WCW?

McMahon answered, "I think it could have, yes."

Basically, McMahon is saying Ted Turner -- one of America's most prominent businessmen -- benefited from looking the other way while the wrestlers who worked for him used steroids. And yet the Congressional inquiry into steroids in pro wrestling never bothered to call on Turner to testify. Strange.

Linda McMahon Suggests Ted Turner Lured Wrestlers by Not Testing for Steroids originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former American Gladiator 'Nitro' Says Steroids Ruined His Sex Life

Matt Snyder — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:36:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs, Action Sports

Here's a great way to keep teenage boys off steroids and other performance enhancers. Boys, if you take steroids, sex will hurt and you'll grow giant man-boobs!

Honestly, I think that needs to be in some sort of commercial. What 16 year-old boy would try to labor through the work of obtaining illicit substances, evading drug tests -- and all the other trouble it would be to juice -- in order to forego his adult sex life and grow female features?

Dan Clark, the American Gladiator formerly known as "Nitro," is coming out with a book about his life. In it, he says that he eventually had to undergo breast reduction surgery, in 1996, to free himself of the dreaded man boobs. On the bedroom performance ... uh ...

(Steroids) also took their toll on his private parts, so much so that he embarrassingly had to explain to women what was going on. "My b- - -s never really regained their size. They're kind of shriveled," he sadly told one bedmate. In addition, steroids subjected him to a "dull throbbing pain" every time he had sex.

Other than wondering how something can be both throbbing and dull at the same time, I don't think I really want to imagine the after effects of abusing your body like that for 20 years.

If you think you can handle the drug in small doses, think again, says Clark:

After finally going for therapy, Clark kicked his habit. He writes: "The treacherous steroid path. I always thought I could handle it. But the drug handled me. Easily and completely . . . I was never big enough or strong enough for myself."

People, let's just make a pact to steer clear of body-altering drugs with significant side effects, okay? Lord knows I don't ask you for much.

Hat-tip: Game On

Former American Gladiator 'Nitro' Says Steroids Ruined His Sex Life originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Viagra Seen as Performance-Enhancing, Could Be Banned in International Sports

Michael David Smith — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:48:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs

The World Anti-Doping Agency is conducting tests to determine whether Viagra is a performance-enhancing drug not only in the bedroom, but also on the playing field.

The New York Times reports that the Anti-Doping Agency, which is oversees drug testing for international sports, is currently conducting tests in which college lacrosse players are taking Viagra and having their athletic performances measured. If the study determines that Viagra gives users a competitive advantage by dilating blood vessels and increasing oxygen-carrying capacity, it will consider banning the drug.

The Times reports:

The drug works by suppressing an enzyme that controls blood flow, allowing the vessels to relax and widen. The same mechanism facilitates blood flow into the penis of impotent men. In the case of athletes, increased cardiac output and more efficient transport of oxygenated fuel to the muscles can enhance endurance.
"Basically, it allows you to compete with a sea level, or near-sea level, aerobic capacity at altitude," Kenneth W. Rundell, the director of the Human Performance Laboratory at Marywood, said of Viagra.
Some experts are more skeptical. Anthony Butch, the director of the Olympic drug-testing lab at U.C.L.A., said it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible" to prove that Viagra provided a competitive edge, given that the differences in performance would be slight and that athletes would probably take it in combination with other drugs.

For now, athletes are free to use Viagra before competing. But by the 2010 Olympics, Viagra may be treated the same as human growth hormone and anabolic steroids.

Viagra Seen as Performance-Enhancing, Could Be Banned in International Sports originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Usain Bolt Tells Bryant Gumbel: 'It Doesn't Matter What People Think, I Know I'm Clean'

Michael David Smith — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:12:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs, Track and Field

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt had perhaps the greatest performance in track and field history in Beijing, winning gold medals and setting world records in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400-meter relay.

But this is track and field in the 21st Century, so it wasn't long before Bolt faced questions about whether he was cheating with performance-enhancing drugs. And some of those questions were raised by none other than Carl Lewis, who said of Bolt's performance, "if you don't question that in a sport that has the reputation it has right now, you're a fool. Period."

On the upcoming edition of HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, Bolt responds to Lewis's comments for the first time.

"Yeah, I knew that was going to come," Bolt said in an interview with Gumbel. "You can't be stressed over what people say. ... It doesn't matter what people think, as long as people know I'm clean and I'm doing this sport clean, it doesn't matter what people want to say."

Bolt's answer is the right one, in the sense that he does himself no favors if he engages in a debate with Lewis -- or if he tries to prove a negative, that he hasn't used performance-enhancing drugs. There's just no sense in Bolt trying to convince people that he's clean.

But the truth is, it does matter what people say. And if Bolt is telling the truth, it's too bad for him that as long as he lives, people like Lewis will never stop saying they question his accomplishments.

Real Sports debuts Tuesday at 10 p.m. and re-airs throughout the month.

Usain Bolt Tells Bryant Gumbel: 'It Doesn't Matter What People Think, I Know I'm Clean' originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LL Cool J Says He Doesn't Use Steroids: 'We Don't Want the Prunes to Turn Into Raisins'

Michael David Smith — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:35:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs

Although Congress and the media have chosen to focus almost exclusively on the use of performance-enhancing drugs among athletes, there's also a great deal of PED use among Hollywood celebrities, from Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone on down.

But one of the celebrities who certainly has the body of a steroid user -- and who played a muscular football player in Any Given Sunday -- says he has never used them. LL Cool J was on Late Night With Conan O'Brien last night, and when Conan brought up steroids, LL made clear that he doesn't want to risk the testicular atrophy that is a side effect of steroid use.

"We don't want the prunes to turn into raisins," LL said. "I still want to matter at home, not just at the beach."

I'm not sure that comparing his own testicles to prunes is really where LL wants to go, but point taken: Count LL as one muscular man who says no to steroids.

LL Cool J Says He Doesn't Use Steroids: 'We Don't Want the Prunes to Turn Into Raisins' originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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