the temptation for professional athletes to use it is very great

After Ukmedix News reported that the Israeli sailing sportsman Udi Gal had tested positive for the use of the finasteride drug (Propecia) and thus was likely to be banned from participating in the Beijing Olympic games many of his fans were very upset along with the members of the Israeli Yachting Federation. The good news however is that the World Anti Doping Authority have decided to allow him to participate in the games having reviewed the facts of the case and deciding that there were “no grounds” to suspect that he had been using the preparation for “performance enhancement”.

The Olympic sailing regatta will take part in Qingdao and Udi Gal is considered to be one of Israel’s most likely contenders for a medal in Beijing. When he tested positive for the use of Propecia it was a big blow to Israeli sporting hopes especially as he was head of the Olympic Sportsmen Committee. Further tests have been conducted on Mr. Gal which WADA say show that he was not using any performance enhancing substances which it has been claimed that Propecia can disguise.

Not everybody will be happy with this decision and it is rumoured that other nations are angry that his case has been brushed aside so easily and that despite breaking the WADA rules he has been allowed to compete. Mr. Gal has not got off scot free but has been given a formal warning which is the lowest form of sanction that the WADA can issue.

The hair loss drug Propecia is without a doubt the most successful hair loss medication on the market today and therefore the temptation for professional athletes to use it is very great. Sometimes it is the only thing that will stop them losing their hair and therefore they are prepared to take a risk to use it.

A number of sporting organisations have been calling for Propecia to be taken off the list of banned substances for professional athletes provided that they first inform WADA that they are using it.