Australian Customs has reported over 300 anabolic steroid seizures during the first three months of the year. This reportedly exceeds steroid seizures from previous years. The increase in steroid shipments confiscated by customs prior to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing is similar to increases seen prior to the 2000 Sydney Olympics (“Steroid imports not ‘linked to athletes,'” April 22).
The hike comes with the Beijing Olympic Games looming in August and follows a similar increase before the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
However, the Australian Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA),which has an unprecedented information-sharing relationship with the Australian government, reports that there is no increase in steroid shipments destined for competitive athletes.
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) chief executive Richard Ings said the organisation works closely with customs and is notified of any involvement by Australian athletes in importing performance-enhancing drugs.
“If customs are indicating that they are seeing an increase in seizures, there is no suggestion those products were bound for athletes,” he told AAP.
Authorities attribute the increase in steroid seizures to greater demand by bodybuilders and weightlifters in an “image culture.”
About the author
Millard writes about anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their use and impact in sport and society. He discusses the medical and non-medical uses of anabolic-androgenic steroids while advocating a harm reduction approach to steroid education.
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