EAST GERMANS PIONEERED THE USE OF 'ANDRO'

Swimmer: 'It was like a volcanic eruption'

Mark McGwire is being powered by a substance favoured by the former East
German sports machine, which pioneered the use of androstenedione and,
according to documents discovered after the reunification of Germany, made
it mandatory for athletes before the Seoul Olympics.

It was only recently, however, that tests were able to detect
androstenedione, an adrenal hormone that is a direct precursor to
testosterone. Enzymes in the liver quickly transform androstenedione into
testosterone. Androstenedione was added to the International Olympic
Committee's banned list last December.

There is debate about the drug's efficacy. There are no published studies
on the matter. The potential side effects are not well known either.

``We don't know as yet if it's as efficient an anabolic agent as
testosterone would be,'' said Dr. Christiane Ayotte, who runs the IOC's
accredited laboratory in Montreal. But according to the East German
research, a 100 milligram tablet of androstenedione increased testosterone
levels in males up to 237 per cent. East German swimmer Raik Hannerman was
quoted as saying: ``It was like a volcanic eruption.''

Dr. Mauro di Pasquale, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto
and widely published author on the topic of performance-enhancing
substances, said the controversy about androstenedione is a ``lot of
hullabaloo about nothing'' and it should not be regarded as an anabolic
steroid.

Di Pasquale said that he has been involved in conducting tests that
demonstrate it has little to no effect on men with normal testosterone
levels. But he does believe that some athletes are using androstenedione to
hide the fact they're taking testosterone.

``It gives them a cover,'' di Pasquale said. ``I know for a fact it is
being used as a cover by some athletes.''

In Canada, androstenedione falls under the Controlled Drugs and Substances
Act. It's listed as an anabolic steroid and a licence is required to
distribute the drug.

A spokesperson for Health Canada said customs officials could seize the
drug if it was found on someone entering the country, but that prosecution
would only take place if the amount being carried was suggestive of
trafficking or further distribution.
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Checked-by: Pat Dolan