'Showering is not an entitlement': Tennis anti-doping unit announces players must shower 'in full view' of officials



Tennis' leader in anti-doping and anti-corruption said players are not permitted to have a shower before a drug test.

The International Tennis Integrity Unit covers policy, sanctions, prohibition, and testing for doping in tennis, and it recently announced a change to its policy that had many fans asking questions.

The ITIA informed players on Friday that drug testing will be conducted immediately following matches and that if a player wishes to shower before the drug test, he or she will have to do so in front of a drug-testing official.

The new rule was shared by Tennis Channel reporter Jon Wertheim, who showed a snippet of a letter from the ITIA on his X page.

"On behalf of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), we are sharing important updates to the Tennis Anti-Doping Program," the letter stated, before introducing a subsection on "showering,"

"The ITIA and previously the ITF has worked hard to ensure that showers following matches can amount to a permissible delay to doping control, particularly when showering could have a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of a player."

The letter continued, "However, showering is not an entitlement, and it is for this reason that the ITIA kindly requests that when showering[,] players adhere to the requirement to stay in full view of the chaperone observing them at all times."

The letter added that if a player is not comfortable with being monitored while showering, the player should consider the idea of whether or not a shower is "necessary before providing a doping control sample. Failure to remain in full view of the chaperone will be taken extremely seriously by the ITIA."

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After the seemingly bizarre wording of the policy received publicity, the ITIA reaffirmed its stance in a follow-up statement.

"We recognise that parts of the anti-doping testing process are uncomfortable," the group said. "However, as with all World Anti-Doping Agency-compliant sports — not just tennis — players who are notified for a test after a match are observed at all times by an anti-doping chaperone until the test is completed."

The group added, "This is a requirement of the World Anti-Doping Code."

While the policy sounded strange on its surface, it did have a certain level of logic behind it. As outlet Metro noted, soccer's governing body in the region, the Professional Footballers' Association, has a similar policy in place with an added explanation:

"It is important for the laboratory to analyse your first sample and by having a shower a player could urinate easily without anyone noticing."

The organization added, "Sports people have done this before in order to manipulate this seemingly insignificant procedure to avoid a positive result."

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MVP Mo Vaughn admits to using human growth hormones nearly 20 years after accusations in infamous MLB Mitchell Report



Former MLB player Mo Vaughn has revealed he used human growth hormones to extend his career in the early 2000s due to a knee injury.

Vaughn was named in the infamous Mitchell Report from 2007, an investigation led by former United States Senator George J. Mitchell (D-Maine) into the use of anabolic steroids and HGH in Major League Baseball. The report named several high-profile players like Barry Bonds, Andy Pettitte, and Jason Giambi.

The former slugger did not consent to an interview at the time of the report but admitted nearly 20 years after the fact that he indeed used the drugs in attempt to recover from injury but does not believe it puts a stain on his career.

Vaughn played with the Boston Red Sox from 1991 to 1998 and won American League MVP honors in 1995. Vaughn then played for the Anaheim Angels before an injury sidelined him in 2001. When he moved on to the New York Mets that year, it was at that point that Vaughn said he was seeking treatments (in any form) for his deteriorating knee.

"I was trying to do everything I could," Vaughn said in an interview with the Athletic. "I knew I had a bad, degenerative knee. I was shooting HGH in my knee. Whatever I could do to help the process."

Vaughn was allegedly referred to Mets clubhouse employee Kirk Radomski by outfielder Glenallen Hill, the Mitchell Report claimed. However, the report specified that it was Vaughn's ankle that he needed help with.

Radomski allegedly told Vaughn that "human growth hormone would help his ankle heal faster."

Radomski further alleged that he did not sell Vaughn steroids because the player was "afraid of the big needles."

Vaughn addressed this in his interview with the Athletic and told the outlet that he was okay with HGH injections because they used smaller needles.

'That had nothing to do with where my pain was coming from.'

Evidence of Vaughn's payment for the drugs was provided by way of three checks: two checks for $3,200 each and one check for $2,200.

Radomski said he did not know why Vaughn purchased the HGH twice within an 18-day period but speculated that he either preferred to leave the drugs behind when he traveled or that he had let the first dose spoil.

His inclusion in the report was not the source of his frustration, though. Rather, Vaughn reportedly said that he had been upset for years because he believed he would have accomplished more if not for his injuries.

“[The report] had nothing to do with where my pain was coming from," Vaughn explained.

The 57-year-old was a three-time All-Star and finished his career with 328 home runs.

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MLB legend Sammy Sosa seemingly apologizes for steroid use: 'I did whatever I could to recover'



Home-run hitting legend Sammy Sosa may have finally admitted to using performing-enhancing drugs during his playing years, penning a letter in which he said he "made mistakes" and is ready to move on.

Sosa, who holds three of the top 10 highest single-season home run totals — including the third highest at 66 — directed his open letter to the Chicago Cubs organization and its fans.

The slugger was accused decades ago, along with fellow players like Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro, of using PEDs during the home run boom of the late 1990s-2000s.

'I made mistakes and I apologize.'

"I left it all on the field for the Cubs and Cubs fans because I wanted to win and make the fans happy," the letter began.

"I loved to see the fans at Wrigley in the right field bleachers every home game. I understand why some players in my era don't always get the recognition that our stats deserve," he ominously continued.

The next passage struck readers as a possible admission to using steroids, human-growth hormones, or possibly some other PED.

"There were times I did whatever I could to recover from injuries in an effort to keep my strength up to perform over 162 games. I never broke any laws, but in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize."

Sosa concluded, "We accomplished great things as a team, and I worked extremely hard in the batting cage to become a great hitter. Cubs' fans are the best in the world, and I hope that fans, the Cubs and I can all come together again and move forward. We can't change the past, but the future is bright. In my heart, I have always been a Cub and I can't wait to see Cubs fans again."

The former right fielder's plea to move forward with the Cubs did not go unnoticed by the franchise, as Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts put out a letter of his own in response:

"We appreciate Sammy releasing his statement and for reaching out. No one played harder or wanted to win more," Ricketts' official statement read. "Nobody's perfect but we never doubted his passion for the game and the Cubs. It is an understatement to say that Sammy is a fan favorite. We plan on inviting him to the 2025 Cubs Convention and, while it is short notice, we hope that he can attend."

The letter closed by saying, "We are all ready to move forward together."

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Sosa's comments have come a long way from remarks he made in March when he was asked if he and Ricketts could rekindle their relationship.

OutKick reported that Sosa called himself a "mature man" and said he recognized his "mistake."

He was then asked by reporter Lou Canellis if that meant he recognized the fact that "maybe" he "did do steroids."

Sosa replied, "This is not a question that I expected from you."

As well, in 2020, Sosa told radio hosts that he never "tested positive" as a reason why he should be considered for Hall of Fame induction.

"I always play every day. I play pretty much 162 games every (year). I was healthy pretty much all of the time. You look at my record, I did it in the field. That's a question. Let’s see what happens. I haven't tested positive. My case is not too hard to deal with."

When Sosa testified about PEDs in 2005, along with other MLB stars, he was criticized for using an interpreter despite speaking English. It was seen as a delay tactic to shorten his time spent answering questions.

Sosa's defense was that since he is Dominican, he wanted to be exactly sure what was being asked and what he was trying to communicate. The then-37-year-old denied any used of PEDs.

Sosa finished his career with 609 home runs, with total career earnings over $127 million.

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UFC legend Jim Miller criticizes 'steroid vacation' after Donald Cerrone says he will unretire following testosterone use



UFC veteran Jim Miller said he doesn't believe fighters should be taking time off to use testosterone before returning to the Octagon.

Speaking specifically about former opponent Donald Cerrone, Miller said that while Cerrone has been "very, very open" about his use of testosterone replacement, it will not heal his brain from previous knockouts.

"He got knocked out quite a few times, and that's not healing from going on a little [testosterone replacement therapy] or whatever. I'm not super into it, to be 100% honest."

Cerrone initially ended his career in July 2022 when he lost his sixth straight fight with a guillotine choke from Miller. Miller was avenging a 2014 loss to Cerrone that ended in a head-kick KO.

Cerrone announced in October, however, that he wanted to return to the UFC and complete the two remaining fights on his contract.

"When I retired, I told you I was getting my hair done and getting on steroids," Cerrone said at the time. "The last two years, taking TRT and a bunch of peptides. Now we've got a protocol. For all you people that [said], 'Oh, what if you get on it and you can't ever come off?'" he said rhetorically. "Well, now I have to come off and piss clean. Fight in a few months. So watch this."

According to MMA Fighting, Cerrone is planning his comeback around his 42nd birthday in March 2025.

'I'm not a very big fan of the whole steroid vacation thing. What are we doing?'

Miller told the outlet that while he has a tough time "telling other grown men what to do," it's up to Cerrone and his team to decide "if they want him to get punched in the head again."

The 41-year-old then explained that he doesn't approve of the steroid usage before a comeback.

"I'm not a very big fan of the whole steroid vacation thing. What are we doing? But he's going to do what he wants to do."

Miller said that for himself, he would never want to retire and then feel compelled to return. "When I make that choice that it's done for me, it's done."

Miller's disapproval seemed rooted in a concern for fighters not properly taking care of themselves. He directly referred to his brother Dan, a former UFC fighter who last fought in 2015 but retired due to what Miller described as an attempted return from injury that ultimately ended his career.

"It's a tough spot [for Cerrone]. I don't like making decisions for other grown men. They get to do their own thing. Whatever he decides to do, do it and do it to the fullest."

Cerrone seemingly already has plans beyond his two remaining fights with the UFC. He recently appeared on the comedy podcast "Kill Tony" and declared that he wanted to fight boxer Jake Paul in mixed martial arts.

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Healthy Is Hot, The ‘Liver King’ Is Not

The 'Liver King' presented a mirage of health and fitness to his millions of followers across social media.
Ildo Frazao/Getty Images

Horowitz: FDA allows pharmacists to practice medicine while banning doctors from practicing

A pharmacist can now practice medicine, but a doctor will lose his license for treating COVID patients and vaccine injuries.

In 2021, we witnessed one of the most remarkable dynamics unfold in the history of American medicine. An order came down through the corporate pharmacy cartel to start illegally practicing medicine by denying prescriptions written by doctors to treat COVID patients who lacked any other options. It wasn’t just ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, but doctors had prescriptions for antibiotics, steroids, and nebulizer treatments denied because “there are no treatments for COVID.”

Never mind the fact that having no approved treatments was all the more reason to prescribe off-label to treat thrombosis and pulmonary inflammation, the latter of which we deal with all the time in asthma, COPD, and pneumonia with some of the drugs these brave doctors were prescribing.

Fast-forward to July 2022, and the FDA approved on Wednesday any pharmacist to “prescribe” Pfizer’s Paxlovid on the spot without a prescription! Suddenly, the establishment finds a sense of urgency to get people treatment early when it comes to greasing the skids of Pfizer.

The juxtaposition of banning doctors from prescribing long-standing approved and safe drugs with allowing pharmacists to prescribe novel and experimental drugs is astounding. Say what you want about drugs like hydroxychloroquine, but if you wanted to venture into the uncharted waters of pharmacists prescribing (not just dispensing) drugs, a drug like that would be a good candidate. But to start this precedent with Paxlovid?

There are no long-term safety studies on this drug. It is mixed with a heavy-duty AIDS drug – ritonavir – which has an FDA black box warning for potential death when prescribed with several fairly common drugs that seniors might be taking. Worse, Paxlovid is contraindicated with 33 common classes of drugs, many of which most seniors vulnerable to COVID are already taking, including statins and steroids. Most seniors are on some form of statin.

Furthermore, the drug’s efficacy, especially for the current variants, is particularly dubious given that it now has a common “rebound” effect, in which symptoms come back even worse, as in the case of Dr. Fauci himself. There is also a common complaint of “Paxlovid mouth,” in which people have a lingering metallic taste in their mouths for a long time after taking the drug. Finally, there are growing concerns based on studies that Paxlovid is creating mutations in the virus. So, if we are seeing these problems up front, can you imagine what we don’t know about its long-term safety profile?

To take a drug like this and allow pharmacists to prescribe it while empowering the same pharmacists to block doctors’ prescriptions of budesonide and azithromycin is simply astounding. Consider the fact that so many vulnerable people have contraindications with Paxlovid. Some might suggest, “Well, aren’t pharmacists who are versed in pharmacology even more astute to contraindications?” However, those touting this talking point are forgetting that if most people have a contraindication, what do you think the pharmacist is going doing about it? Either they are overlooking it, or they are unilaterally making the decision to take the patient off the other drugs for that week. That is a decision that requires a knowledge of the patient, pathophysiology of the other ailments, and a risk-benefit analysis against COVID. That can only be done by a doctor. Pharmacists can now illegally practice medicine, but doctors are blocked from doing so.

The lesson of this juxtaposition is clear. If a certain product becomes part of the “spirit of the age,” all laws, prudence, science, and medical norms are thrown out the window in order to promote the new idol – be it Pfizer’s shot or therapeutic. This is why they are now allowing Pfizer to produce endless products without proper control groups or even clinical trials and foist them upon babies. However, if a product might challenge the idol of the age, then no law, social norm, or medical norm will stop them from banning the drug. Hence, a Nobel Prize-winning wonder drug can’t even be prescribed by a doctor, but a new, risky half-AIDS drug can be prescribed by a pharmacist.

We witnessed this trend throughout the mass vaccination regime in the pharmacies. I had pharmacists admit to me they were vaccinating age cohorts for initial doses or boosters before they were officially approved. Again, these are novel products that, at a minimum, are associated with over 1 million adverse events composing over 14,000 categories of injury on VAERS. Just myocarditis alone has over 40,000 reports, and CDC researchers admitted in JAMA that it’s “likely” underreported. Yet that was totally OK. No shots are turned down. Say what you want about the off-label drugs the patriot doctors are using, but they are definitely safe and are not associated with myocarditis, paralysis, and autoimmune disorders.

The upshot of this decision is that big pharma gets what it wants all the time. The FDA is completely compromised. As Dr. Pierre Kory, co-founder of the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, told me, “We must start advocating for a pathway for repurposed medicines to be evaluated and approved by independent experts who are free of any ties to the pharmaceutical industry. This would dramatically increase the number and efficacy of treatment options for not only COVID, but many other diseases.”

'F*** you, Steven': Intolerant TRANS activists disrupt NEW 'Change My Mind'



Anything is possible when Steven Crowder brings his "Change My Mind" table to a college campus.

Crowder filmed this installment of "Change My Mind" at The University of Texas in Denton, where he asked an enthusiastic crowd to change his mind on whether "biological males should not compete in women's sports."

 
Before Steven could sit down for a rational discussion, he humored the more unhinged crowd members and gave them the spotlight to shout their truths. Predictably, it turned out that the people screaming "f*** you" didn't have much else to share with the group, so Crowder moved ahead with the show.


The conversation kicked off with 21-year-old Isaac, who argued that his primary concern with Crowder's "men shouldn't compete in women's sports" sign was how Crowder worded his premise.

Watch the video to see Part One of the latest "Change My Mind." Can't watch? Download the podcast here.


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