July 8, 2011

More Doping Scandals could surface this summer

The sports doctor from Toronto was sought out by the biggest names in sports, so the repercussions of this investigation could really change the way we deal with doping in professional sports.

By Stephen Lars

Dr. Anthony Galea, a Canadian sports doctor, pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to bringing into the United States unapproved drugs. Galea’s high-profile clients have included Tiger Woods and Alex Rodriguez and the acusations against him state the he could have brought illegal drugs into United States soil including human growth hormone. These drugs were allegedly used to treat professional athletes.

The sports doctor from Toronto was sought out by the biggest names in sports, so the repercussions of this investigation could really change the way we deal with doping in professional sports. Galea was indicted by a federal grand jury in October on charges that he smuggled human growth hormone and other substances. The investigation also revealed that he had lied to border agents to smuggle the drugs into the USA. Whatever his fate in the courts of the United States, Galea faces similar charges in Canada.

The sports doctor from Toronto was sought out by the biggest names in sports, so the repercussions of this investigation could really change the way we deal with doping in professional sports.

Most of the U.S. charges were dismissed with Galea's plea. It seemed as some sort of agreement or deal cut between him and the court. It seems that he could walk out of this one if he agreed to cooperate with investigators and disclose the identities of his patients and their treatments.

Galea could face some trouble considering he was never who licensed to work or practice in the United States. He has been accused of treating 20 professional athletes at their homes, hotels and friends' houses from October 2007 to September 2009.

The indictment did not identify any clients, but prosecutors said they included golfers, professional baseball and football players and others. The Canadian doctor pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Richard Arcara. That made the whole process to move faster and thus eliminated the need for a trial. More evidence and witness statements could publicly reveal information about which athletes he visited or billed, and that could be the turning gate of many more investigations.

The Prosecutors believe that Galea was able to bill around $800,000 for his work in the United States.  The estimated value of the drugs and other substances used on the professional athletes was in the range of $30,000 to $70,000.

This is just not the best timing for some athletes that are allegedly involved with the Canadian doctor. Tiger Woods recently announced he will miss the British Open because of the same injury that has been affecting him since Augusta National in late May. He also declared that he has been treated by Galea but didn't receive performance-enhancing drugs from the Canadian doctor. The New York Mets' Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran also have acknowledged talking to federal authorities during the investigation in regards to their connections with Galea.

Major League Baseball officials have already contacted Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees. On his statement he declared that he didn't receive performance-enhancing drugs from Galea, all he got was antiflammatory pills.

The judge asked about other athletes linked to Galea. Prosecutors said all their names would have come out at trial but they included NFL linebacker Takeo Spikes and retired running back Jamal Lewis. These players have never been accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, but I guess we will have to wait for the trial to get more information on this interesting case.

About the Author

Stephen Lars is a prominent sports blogger and currently covers the Sports news, previews and handicaps for the BetIAS Sportsbook. You may reprint this article in its full content, please note no modifications to it are accepted.