Lebanese sports officials recognize that anabolic steroid use is widespread in competitive bodybuilding in Lebanon. The use of steroids and human growth hormone (hGH) is the proverbial “elephant in the room” at competitions such as the Lebanese Bodybuilding Championships according to the Lebanon Daily Star.
Jihad Haddad, medical secretary of the Lebanese Olympic Committee, acknowledged that steroid use in bodybuilding is a problem but claimed he is more concerned with the increasing use of steroids among athletes. Steroid use is reportedly reaching epidemic proportions.
“Anabolic steroids and growth hormone are a problem among bodybuilders, but also among athletes like rugby players and people just looking to improve their physique,” according to Haddad.
Haddad is part of a group of individuals seeking to establish a national anti-doping organization (NADO) in Lebanon. Haddad helped draft a law that will not only mandate a Lebanese NADO but als0 facilitate the involvement of local and national police in the investigation of steroid use by athletes.
NADOs agree to adopt, implement and enforce the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. NADOs are responsible for in- and out-of competition steroid testing as well as issuing bans for any athletes caught using prohibited performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
WADA also expects NADOs to provide steroid and anti-doping education to athletes within the country. Unfortunately, WADA does not require that the steroid “education” provide accurate information supported by the scientific literature. It appears that scare tactics will suffice.
Dr. Johnny Ibrahim, the official medical doctor of the Lebanon national football team, represents an ideal candidate for a WADA anti-doping educator. Ibrahim told the Daily Star how easily steroid users can die from heart failure.
“The heart becomes bigger and then you can have hypertrophy of the heart,” explained Ibrahim. “When you add the extra energy someone gets as a result of taking steroids, they can easily die from heart failure.”
Source:
Anderson, S. (October 14, 2011). Steroid use continues despite dangers. Retrieved from http://www.dailystar.com.lb
