Musk Deer: the new kid on the block

[Granville57]

North Korea officials blamed traditional musk deer gland medicine for five positive tests for steroids at the Women's World Cup,
the biggest soccer doping scandal at a major tournament in 17 years.
http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6775108/2011-women-world-cup-five-north-koreans-positive-steroids

It was very complex," FIFA's chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak said, especially because the kind of steroids had "never before appeared and never before been determined." The experts concluded there were "positive findings of an unknown origin," Dvorak said.

After extensive testing that lasted until late Friday, "we can really say with far-reaching confidence that these steroids were the result of this so-callled Chinese traditional medicine," Dvorak said. He added the musk deer gland extract "is not part of the world of doping. It is really the first case in which this has been discovered."

The gland in question comes from musk deer living in a large swath of Asia from Siberia to North Korea. The hairy gland is usually cut open to extract a liquid that is used for medical purposes. "There is a whole industry linked to that to produce these medical products," D'Hooghe said.

The culprit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musk_deer

Might give the Honey Badger a run for his money. Yikes!

 

[hrotha]

Holy crap, that thing has tusks. No wonder it can make you test positive for anything.

 

[Oldman]

N Korean Deer 'roids...for real?

Five North Korean soccer players were popped by FIFA and apparently have confirmed the use of a previously unknown, naturally occurring steriod. The interesting part is that it "was previously unknown" and then the source goes on to suggest there is an "entire industry" supporting it's production and distribution. This isn't the first time we've heard of naturopathic hormones but this is a strange case.

Borrowed from SI:

FIFA investigators who discovered evidence of doping in the North Korean samples were in uncharted territory. Experts from the World Anti-Doping Agency were called in to confirm the breach of doping rules.

It was very complex," FIFA's chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak said, especially because the kind of steroids had "never before appeared and never before been determined."

The experts concluded there were "positive findings of an unknown origin," Dvorak said.

After the first two cases were discovered, doping officials went unannounced to North Korea's last match. They declared the two players provisionally suspended, and 15 minutes before the end of play, said all players would be tested.

"They were surprised but they cooperated," Dvorak said. The testing took until 3 AM and a few hours later, the whole delegation was on its way back to North Korea.

Dvorak said the team's medical officer "gave us sample that she described as classical or traditional medicine that is often used in North Korea."

After extensive testing until late Friday, "we can really say with far-reaching confidence that these steroids were the result of this so-callled Chinese traditional medicine," Dvorak said.

He added the musk gland extract "it is not part of the world of doping. It is really the first case in which this has been discovered."

The gland in question comes from musk deer living in a large swathe of Asia from Siberia to North Korea. The hairy gland is usually cut open to extract a liquid that is used for medical purposes.

"There is a whole industry linked to that to produce these medical products," D'Hooghe said.

Doping officials have been concerned about such naturally occurring substances in recent years. During the run-up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, FIFA's concerns focused on African plants that could give players an unfair advantage by providing energy or helping to heal muscle injuries.


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...rea.steroids.deer.ap/index.html#ixzz1SNfHk58V

 

[burritogirl]

http://www.globalanimal.org/2011/07/02/nfl-player-admits-to-using-deer-antler/44233/

http://www.thepostgame.com/features...h-evans-says-he-uses-controversial-swats-spra

Not sure it's exactly the same but...

Motocross legend Mike Metzger admits to using it too.

 

[spalco]

The culprit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musk_deer

Might give the Honey Badger a run for his money. Yikes!

What the hell? Is this an animal that only lives around nuclear reactors or something?