Julie Coram Case Exposes Unfairness of FAME Natural Bodybuilding

The Julie Coram case has exposed the incompetence and unfairness of the “natural” bodybuilding competitions sponsored by FAME and the World Natural Sports Organization (WNSO). Coram was stripped of her WNSO pro card after testing positive for metabolites of three different anabolic steroids, boldenone, oxandrolone and DHEA after winning the Ainsley McSorley FAME Model Search Championships in Winnipeg.

Coram has now been stripped of her title and banned from the organization due to her choices as we are serious when it comes to our drug testing procedures and want to keep not only a natural stage but a healthy stage too.

Rick Collins and Mike DiMaggio of Collins, McDonald and Gann recently reported the drug test results of Julie Coram conducted by a legitimate anti-doping organization.

…Julie Coram was subjected to an impromptu drug test by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), the testing body responsible for administering drug testing under the Canadian BodyBuilding Federation’s (CBBF) anti-doping program. The results are in, and Ms. Coram tested negative for all prohibited methods and substances.

Collins compares and contrasts the fairness and reliability of the CBBF testing protocols with those of FAME.

“We are grateful that the CBBF subjected Julie Coram to a prompt, fair and reliable drug test,” said Rick Collins, an authority in the field of doping legalities and Ms. Coram’s lawyer. “The results were not at all surprising to us. She tested absolutely clean – she had no traces whatsoever of any banned substances in her sample. Julie has been exonerated.” Collins said that the result is particularly significant because the testing protocol of CBBF is stricter and more sophisticated than the test that FAME conducted. It is also significant in light of the substances that Julie was alleged to have tested positive for, which included a metabolite of a horse steroid that is reportedly detectable for up to five months.

Drug testing expert Dr. Mauro DiPasquale weighs in on the lack of credibility of FAME’s anti-doping procedures.

The CBBF result casts serious doubt on credibility of the FAME test. World renowned doping control expert Dr. Mauro DiPasquale, who was not involved in the case but read the media coverage of Ms. Coram’s alleged positive test, commented: “Inferior drug testing protocols can yield inaccurate results; however, the reliability of the CCES drug testing protocol is in line with the World Anti-Doping Agency, which is considered the gold standard for drug testing.”
FAME asserts it is “serious” about drug testing. In actuality, FAME is seriously incompetent. Rather than follow the “gold standard” of athletic anti-doping procedures consistent with WADA, they have chosen ridiculous procedures such as “Physique Screening” and “Voice Stress Analysis.”

Neither is FAME serious about maintaining a “natural” competition. Their rules permit everything that can be purchased over the counter at a supplement store. Prohormones and prosteroid formulations sold over the counter (including 22 OTC dietary supplements that contain anabolic steroids) are technically allowed under FAME/WNSO. In other words, FAME/WNSO rules permit competitors to use some anabolic steroids. In addition, FAME/WNSO openly admits the inefficacy of the urinalysis and the problem with false positives from over the counter supplements.

One thing that is clearly worse than no drug testing in bodybuilding is incompetent, unfair, and unreliable drug testing.

Rick Collins still has hope for FAME.

“Hopefully, Julie’s CCES results may encourage FAME to re-examine its anti-doping protocols and bring them up to the standards of other organizations so that true dopers can be caught and rightfully punished but innocent athletes are not ensnared,” said Mr. Collins.

Or better yet, perhaps natural bodybuilders should just abandon FAME in favor of a real natural bodybuilding organization like the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) who is serious about drug testing and conducts its anti-doping procedures in a manner consistent with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

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Source: MesoRx
Author: Millard Baker

Manitoba Gyms Riding a Steroid Buzz Surrounding Local Fitness Model's Noteriety

Since the publicity surrounding local bodybuilder/fitness competitor Julie Coram's steroid 'bust', Manitoba gyms have been buzzing like a Gold's gym on steroids according to the Winnipeg Sun.




The Sun recounts stories of bodybuilders calling with stories and questions and advice to the love lorn:

Winnipeg's bodybuilding and fitness circles have been shaken since a local competitor was stripped of a title after testing positive for two anabolic steroids at an event in late May.

Fitness model and trainer Julie Coram is banned from FAME World Tour events and was stripped of her FAME pro card but has hired a New York-based law firm to defend her.

Several people who work in the fitness industry or work out in city gyms have contacted the Winnipeg Sun to talk about the drug test's impact.

"The gyms are just buzzing. Everyone is being scrutinized," said a man who works at a local supplement store.

The man said some steroid users are concerned about serious health risks and the possibility of being caught by a competitive body and identified.

Apparently some 'roid users are now concerned with the health consequences.

"I know a couple of people who have decided to quit after reading the articles in the Sun," the man said. "Some people decided to go to the doctor and get their bloodwork done to check their health."

Steroids aren't hard to find, the man said.

"You can go into a typical gym, ask around and in five minutes have information on where you can get steroids and how much," the man said. "It's cheaper to get a stack of steroids than going to (a store) and buying a stack of supplements."

Plus steroids produce quick results, making them even more attractive, especially to young people, the man said.

A one-month cycle costs about $100, he said.

The man said he believes steroid use is high among male bodybuilders and weightlifters but much lower among women.

It sounds like the sponsoring organization has stepped into a PR nightmare: trying to keep competition fair, while also trying to avoid lawsuits from unhappy competitors with positive tests (not everyone has the resources like the USADA who spent millions in the against fight Floyd Landis's lawsuits). The defense attorneys will go right for the procedure and the chain of custody in the drug testing. One of the basic legal maneuvers is to challenge procedure and protocol; if an organization is going to test, they better do it correctly with proper documentation.

Coram gave a urine sample after winning the female muscle model category at the Ainsley McSorley FAME Model Search Championships in Winnipeg on May 24.

A week later, before the drug test results were known, she was named 2008 Miss Fitness Manitoba at the Manitoba Body Building Association's (MABBA) provincial championships.
MABBA is awaiting legal advice on what action it should take.

Coram has hired law firm Collins, McDonald & Gann to "defend her rights," according to a statement from the firm.

The firm questions the validity of the drug test.

"We are reviewing the drug testing program and procedures available online to athletes who compete in the World Natural Sports Organization's FAME competition, and are not finding any of the safeguards that other sports federations have implemented to protect their athletes and insure the integrity of the testing specimen and the reliability of the results," firm partner Rick Collins said in the statement.



Source: Steroid Nation

Marzia Prince Wins FAME Pro Card

Marzia Prince, global magazine model for Gaspari Nutrition, won the Bikini Competition at the Lyzabeth Lopex Fame Classic that was held in Toronto, Canada on Saturday May 12, 2008. As the result of her victory, Marzia has earned her Pro Card with FAME. Less than 100 women worldwide have the honor of holding a FAME pro card. This victory is another major success in 2008 for Marzia who also was selected FHM100 Most Sexiest Women in the world in their South Africa publication and recently with the hostess for the 2008 NPC Ronnie Coleman Bodybuilding/Figure Classic held in May. Also, Marzia is schedule to be featured in Muscular Development Magazine with her sister, Alizia Gutierrez this summer. Marzia will be competing in the FAME Pro World Championships in Toronto, Canada this summer.

“I am very excited about the victory at FAME in Toronto and winning my Pro Card,” voiced Marzia Prince – Glamour/Fitness Model. “The last 24 months have been an extremely fast pace and rewarding. The hard work in the gym and having the right nutrition plan has paid off with the success I am achieving. Winning the FAME competition in Toronto is the beginning of my move from just a fitness model to more mainstream glamour model opportunities. Also, I want to be able to use the FAME organization as a platform to promote to women around the world about how to keep a healthy and fit life no matter how old you are. I am looking forward in competing on the Pro Tour with FAME and working with them in any capacity they may need me to promote fitness anywhere around the world.”

ABOUT MARZIA PRINCE

Marzia is an internationally known glamour & fitness model sponsered by Gaspari Nutrition that has appeared on numerous magazine covers. Marzia is currently a personal trainer in her hometown of Dallas, Texas when she is not traveling on personal appearances, photo shoots, hosting events, and entering competitions. Marzia is currently writing her first book on fitness for women that is due out the end of 2008 or Spring 2009. Finally, Marzia long-term goal is to be a spokesperson for the fitness industry on how to live a better life through exercise and nutrition.

ABOUT FAME/WNSO

The FAMEWNSO (World National Sport Organization) is an all natural fitness and bodybuilding organization based out of Toronto, Canada. All WNSO events are drug tested to ensure fair, drug-free competitions. The organization was founded 10 years ago and conducts events nationally and internationally.

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Source: PrLog