Apparently, samples taken from MLB players, including Barry Bonds, have not been destroyed as previously thought. Nope, instead the pee has just been sitting around and can be tested again for steroid usage.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/20...sts-BALCO_x.htm
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? The samples from drug tests taken last year by Barry Bonds and six other baseball players have not been destroyed and can be retested to determine if the players used a designer drug at the center of an alleged steroid-distribution ring, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
The seven players in question testified before a grand jury last year and investigators had been seeking the results from the drug tests.
It was believed that only written reports existed, but the newspaper reported on its Web site Friday night that four sources with knowledge of the subpoena process said the actual urine samples remained and could be retested.
That would allow investigators to determine whether the players used THG, which was allegedly given to athletes by the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative.
Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson, was among four men indicted last month on charges of illegally supplying performance-enhancing drugs from BALCO. All four pleaded innocent.
"I don't have any concerns that this would be legally significant to Barry," Bonds' attorney, Michael Rains, told the Chronicle.
The other players who testified before the grand jury were Gary Sheffield, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi, Benito Santiago, Armando Rios and Bobby Estalella.
The subpoenas for the tests are due to be returned next Thursday, however the baseball's union and management are expected to try to challenge them because the tests were supposed to be confidential.
The grand jury had sought the testing results of all major league players. After talks with the players' union and the testing agencies, the subpoena was limited to the results of the seven players who testified before the panel, the newspaper said.
Last month, the union and management agreed to put THG on the list of banned substances. The Food and Drug Administration ruled Oct. 28 that it is an illegal drug. Because baseball and other sports did not know about THG before last October, drug testing was unable to detect it.
Last year's drug testing was done on a survey basis to see if steroid use was widespread enough to warrant testing with punishment this season. Between 5 and 7% of tests were positive, which led to a drug plan with discipline being instituted this season.
The grand jury subpoenaed all documents and materials related to the tests before they could be destroyed, as mandated under the Collective Bargaining Agreement
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