It’s been a few years now since the BALCO investigation ended, but have you ever wondered what happened to the people involved in this very controversial case? The case served as an eye opener for the anti-doping authorities and sports organizations in the country. It also led to the conviction of several people who were involved in the distribution of designer steroids. Professional athletes were sanctioned, banned and forfeited their records. Some of them were even jailed for lying about steroid use. It was considered as one of the successful effort of the government in dismantling the dangerous distribution of steroids to professional athletes.
"The BALCO BUST"
BALCO or the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative was once a popular company for professional athletes in the country. BALCO provided them with products that effectively improve performance and at the same time goes undetected in the drug testing. Most of the players were given “the clear” and “the cream.” These were designer steroids produced by BALCO under the supervision of its founder Victor Conte.
So What happened to Conte? The BALCO founder spent time in jail after pleading guilty to illegal distribution of anabolic steroids. After serving his jail time, Conte established another supplement company, SNAC Nutrition. He now claims that all his products are clean of any designer steroids. He is also working with the US Anti-Doping Agency in its effort to curtail the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in sports.
Conte is also working as training and conditioning coach of some prominent athletes. Some of the athletes who are currently using the supplements and services of Conte are WBC boxing champion Nonito Donaire and Chicago Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd. Both players are being criticized for working with Conte but they are not worried about a possible positive steroid test. They believe the supplements from Conte are clean of any banned substances.
Other personalities connected to BALCO were chemist Patrick Arnold and Greg Anderson, the former trainer of Barry Bonds. Arnold was jailed for 4 months. He was responsible for the creation of the designer steroid THG that was undetected at that time. He is now working for supplement companies E-Pharm Nutrition and Prototype Nutrition. According to Mercury News, Arnold criticized the government for wasting money on prosecuting Bonds.
Coaches and trainers were also responsible why many professional athletes were involved in the BALCO case. They introduced BALCO products to their players. Some of these players contend they don’t know that the supplements were tainted with steroids. Greg Anderson is facing contempt because of his continued refusal in testifying against Barry Bonds. He may end up in jail for the third time. Anderson is also reported to be working with Conte.
Track and field coach Trevor Graham is banned in the sport and given a year of house arrest after he lied to BALCO investigators. He was reported doing a part time job as a school bus driver. Sprint coach Remi Korchemny was sentenced to 1 year probation. He retired in the tract and field in 2007 as part of a deal with the USADA. He is now working with Conte and part of the coaching team of boxing champ Donaire.
The Professional Athletes
The clients of BALCO came from the different field of sports. Some of the athletes who lost their career because of their ties with the company were Olympian sprinters Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery, and Antonio Pettigrew. Jones is building her new career in the WNBA. She is also active in outreach projects helping students. She recently published a book “On the Right Track.”
Montgomery is currently serving his jail time for his involvement in check fraud and dealing with prohibited drug. Pettigrew committed suicide last August. These players were both stripped off their medals and records.
The former NFL star player Bill Romanowski who also admitted taking supplements from BALCO is now running Nutrition53, a supplement company. Baseball’s home run king Barry Bonds also took supplements from BALCO but he persists he did not knowingly use anabolic steroids. He is facing perjury, giving false statements, and obstruction of Congress. His trial starts on March 21.
Other professional athletes who were involved in the BALCO case were Olympian sprinter Alvin Harrison, Regina Jacob, Shane Mosley and Jason Giambi.
And who will forget the chief investigator in the BALCO case. The IRS agent Jeff Novitsky became well known for his uncanny methods in digging evidences in the BALCO case. He is now connected with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and currently handling another controversial case, the doping in cycling which involved Lance Armstrong.
Another well known figure in the anti-doping investigation is Don Catlin of the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory. He is now the CEO of Anti-Doping Research. His latest publication has alarmed health experts because Catlin’s research showed that anybody can still purchase steroids from online sites particularly Amazon. A report from SI also insinuated that Catlin may have helped Armstrong cover his positive drug tests in the 1990’s which Catlin denied.
Muscle Labs USA, an up and comer in the anabolic supplement industry, says that the BALCO case has brought a newer breed of product designers to the market. In 2011, innovations in chemistry and science have made some bodybuilding supplements as effective as prescription strength anaboli steroids. These so called "legal steroids", have gone to new heights in effectiveness. A Muscle Labs USA Spokesperson has said "with advancements in chemistry, there are legal alternatives to androgenic steroids that produce very positive anabolic effects".
"The BALCO BUST"
BALCO or the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative was once a popular company for professional athletes in the country. BALCO provided them with products that effectively improve performance and at the same time goes undetected in the drug testing. Most of the players were given “the clear” and “the cream.” These were designer steroids produced by BALCO under the supervision of its founder Victor Conte.
So What happened to Conte? The BALCO founder spent time in jail after pleading guilty to illegal distribution of anabolic steroids. After serving his jail time, Conte established another supplement company, SNAC Nutrition. He now claims that all his products are clean of any designer steroids. He is also working with the US Anti-Doping Agency in its effort to curtail the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in sports.
Conte is also working as training and conditioning coach of some prominent athletes. Some of the athletes who are currently using the supplements and services of Conte are WBC boxing champion Nonito Donaire and Chicago Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd. Both players are being criticized for working with Conte but they are not worried about a possible positive steroid test. They believe the supplements from Conte are clean of any banned substances.
Other personalities connected to BALCO were chemist Patrick Arnold and Greg Anderson, the former trainer of Barry Bonds. Arnold was jailed for 4 months. He was responsible for the creation of the designer steroid THG that was undetected at that time. He is now working for supplement companies E-Pharm Nutrition and Prototype Nutrition. According to Mercury News, Arnold criticized the government for wasting money on prosecuting Bonds.
Coaches and trainers were also responsible why many professional athletes were involved in the BALCO case. They introduced BALCO products to their players. Some of these players contend they don’t know that the supplements were tainted with steroids. Greg Anderson is facing contempt because of his continued refusal in testifying against Barry Bonds. He may end up in jail for the third time. Anderson is also reported to be working with Conte.
Track and field coach Trevor Graham is banned in the sport and given a year of house arrest after he lied to BALCO investigators. He was reported doing a part time job as a school bus driver. Sprint coach Remi Korchemny was sentenced to 1 year probation. He retired in the tract and field in 2007 as part of a deal with the USADA. He is now working with Conte and part of the coaching team of boxing champ Donaire.
The Professional Athletes
The clients of BALCO came from the different field of sports. Some of the athletes who lost their career because of their ties with the company were Olympian sprinters Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery, and Antonio Pettigrew. Jones is building her new career in the WNBA. She is also active in outreach projects helping students. She recently published a book “On the Right Track.”
Montgomery is currently serving his jail time for his involvement in check fraud and dealing with prohibited drug. Pettigrew committed suicide last August. These players were both stripped off their medals and records.
The former NFL star player Bill Romanowski who also admitted taking supplements from BALCO is now running Nutrition53, a supplement company. Baseball’s home run king Barry Bonds also took supplements from BALCO but he persists he did not knowingly use anabolic steroids. He is facing perjury, giving false statements, and obstruction of Congress. His trial starts on March 21.
Other professional athletes who were involved in the BALCO case were Olympian sprinter Alvin Harrison, Regina Jacob, Shane Mosley and Jason Giambi.
And who will forget the chief investigator in the BALCO case. The IRS agent Jeff Novitsky became well known for his uncanny methods in digging evidences in the BALCO case. He is now connected with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and currently handling another controversial case, the doping in cycling which involved Lance Armstrong.
Another well known figure in the anti-doping investigation is Don Catlin of the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory. He is now the CEO of Anti-Doping Research. His latest publication has alarmed health experts because Catlin’s research showed that anybody can still purchase steroids from online sites particularly Amazon. A report from SI also insinuated that Catlin may have helped Armstrong cover his positive drug tests in the 1990’s which Catlin denied.
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