Does MVP Biotech Whey Protein Powder Contain Anabolic Steroids?

Is the anabolic steroid Winstrol (stanozolol) an unlisted ingredient in “Pro Whey” protein powder by MVP Biotech? Hungarian discus thrower Robert Fazekas and his coach Adrian Annus think so. They have filed a lawsuit against MVP Biotech in the State Supreme Court in Niagara County (New York).

While many bodybuilders wouldn't mind receiving a little extra boost from anabolic steroids, most women, fitness enthusiasts and athletes would be angry about inadvertently consuming steroid ingredients that were not listed on the label. Such was the case with Robert Fazekas.

Fazekas was one of the world's top discus throwers. His attorney claimed he had a legitimate shot at winning the gold medal in the event at the 2012 London Summer Olympics. After all, Fazekas outperformed the eventual gold medal winner at meets prior to the Olympics.

Unfortunately for Fazekas, he was drug tested two weeks prior to the Olympics. The sample was analyzed by the WADA-accredited laboratory in Vienna, Austria. A urinalysis revealed the presence of trace amounts of stanozolol (also known as Winstrol). Fazekas was suspended and missed the Olympics as a result.

Kalman Magyar, the attorney for Fazekas, claimed that only trace quantities of stanozolol, approaching the low end of detectability, were found. Magyar claimed Fazekas never knowingly used anabolic steroids and blamed the failed steroid test on MVP products. 

“We surely believe he was greatly harmed here...” Magyar said. “He’s never tested positive for steroids until he came across MVP’s products.”

Fazekas allegedly used MVP's “Pro Whey” prior to testing positive. Magyar claimed that an opened and an unopened container of the protein powder were analyzed by an independent laboratory and both samples contained traces of illegal steroids.

Given the strict zero-tolerance policy of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the inadvertent use of prohibited substances from a dietary supplement is not an acceptable excuse even if the supplement manufacturer is at fault.

An athlete's only recourse to recover damages is to sue the supplement company. Fazekas' and Annus' lawsuit seeks to recover unspecified damages from MVP Biotech. 

Fazekas and his coach may have credibility issues when it comes to doping. While it is true that neither man ever tested positive for steroids or performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), they have both been disciplined for violating anti-doping rules.

Fazekas won the discus gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. But he was stripped of the medal after he failed to provide an acceptable post-competition urine sample. Fazekas could only provide 25-milliliters of urine for the sample because he claimed to be uncomfortable urinating in front of other people. (The minimum requirement is 75-milliliters.)

Annus, the coach for Fazekas, was a gold-medal winning hammer throw competitor at the Athens Olympics. Annus was stripped of the medal after he flat-out refused to provide a urine sample.

Source:

Prohaska, T. (April 6, 2013). Disqualified Olympian sues maker of supplement over failed drug test. Retrieved from //www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130406/CITYANDREGION/130409402/1003