Originally published March 9 2005
Schwarzenegger calls for bodybuilding industry to crack down on steroid use
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a legendary former bodybuilder himself, wants steroid use in that sport to stop. He has recommended several changes to the ways contest entrants are screened and judged, and he says the two bodybuilding magazines he edits will, also, be pushing for similar changes. Schwarzenegger's call has earned some criticism because he has admitted to using steroids in his career -- when they were legal, he points out.
Arnold Schwarzenegger said Saturday he has urged bodybuilding officials to crack down on steroid use and suggested calling a summit of the sport's leaders to discuss the problem.
Schwarzenegger, who admits using steroids on the way to seven Mr. Olympia titles, also said he would put pressure on two bodybuilding magazines where he is executive editor to become involved in the effort.
"We have to step up the testing procedures, and find other ways, and be more aggressive with it," Schwarzenegger said at the Arnold Classic, the annual bodybuilding contest that bears his name.
He said he suggested the summit and discussed the problem earlier Saturday with editors at the magazines Flex and Muscle & Fitness, as well as officials of the International Federation of Bodybuilding.
"Let's talk again about it and really think what else could we do," Schwarzenegger said.
Schwarzenegger also recommended changing the way bodybuilding is judged so that demonstration and display count more than muscle size.
Experts on bodybuilding and steroids say steroid use is common among elite bodybuilders.
Athletes are not tested at events, and experts say the IFBB's random testing is inadequate and ineffective.
Last year, Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would have created a list of banned substances for interscholastic sports and required coaches to take a course on performance-enhancing supplements because he said it was too vague in defining supplements.
"It has nothing to do with that we don't have enough laws, because we already have a very solid and sound law that says you're not allowed to take illegal drugs," the Republican governor said.
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