Steroid usage amongst athletes from the Dominican Republic has been a major issue within major league baseball. Today over half of all players (57%) who tested positive for steroid usage have been from the Dominican Republic. This usage has served to be a deterimental issue in both the United States and the Dominican Republic. "two Dominican prospects, hoping for an athletic edge, injected themselves with steroids intended for cattle and died." [1]
Performance Enhancers and Age Reductions
editSome Dominican atlhetes were found to be younger than the age they reported in an effort to qualify for sporting teams including Danny Almonte. In an effor to avoid being caught using steroids, some athletes have responded by using supplements intended for cattle and horses, such as diamino. [2] This has resulted in the death of at least 2 Dominican Athletes. This prompted a statement of a need to probe by former New York Governor George Pataki. [3]
Article Quotes
Why is it that more than half of the players test positive for steroids in Major League baseball are dominican?
[4]
[5]
This is a huge percentage when you consider According to statistics compiled by the commissioner's office, 23.5 percent of the 829 major league players on opening-day rosters and disabled lists were born in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico or Venezuela. [6] It is also quoted that over 80% of young dominican baseball players use steroids. [7]
In the dominican republic it is illegal to fire someone for testing positive for drugs. [8] "Myra Sung, a spokeswoman for Hispanics Across America, said it believed the percentage would soar if baseball tested for diamino, a supplement given to horses and cows but used by teenagers because it is cheaper than steroids and more easily obtained in the Dominican Republic." [9] [10]
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE0D71031F931A2575BC0A9659C8B63
http://historyofalcoholanddrugs.typepad.com/alcohol_and_drugs_history/dominican_republic/index.html
List of Athletes who have tested positive for Steroids or other Sports Enhancing Drugs
editLuis Castillo Miguel Tejada - alleged [11]