Report: Doc in PED probe linked to Tiger
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A Canadian doctor who has treated golfer Tiger Woods, swimmer Dara
Torres and NFL players is suspected of providing athletes with
performance-enhancing drugs, according to a newspaper report.
The New York Times reported on its Web site Monday night that
Dr. Anthony Galea was found with human growth hormone and
Actovegin, a drug extracted from calf's blood, in his bag at the
U.S.-Canada border in late September. He was arrested Oct. 15 in
Toronto by Canadian police.
Using, selling or importing Actovegin is illegal in the
United States.
The FBI has opened an investigation based in part on medical
records found on Galea's computer relating to several professional
athletes, people briefed on the inquiry told the Times on condition
of anonymity because they did not want to be identified discussing
a continuing investigation.
The anonymous sources did not disclose the names of the
athletes, and Galea told the newspaper "it would be impossible" for
investigators to have found material linking his athletes to
performance-enhancing drugs.
According to the newspaper, Galea has developed a
blood-spinning technique - platelet-rich plasma therapy - to help
speed post-surgery recovery.
Galea visited Woods' home in Florida at least four times in
February and March, the newspaper reported, to provide that
platelet therapy after his agents were concerned by his slow
recovery from June 2008 knee surgery.
Asked about Woods' involvement with Galea, agent Mark
Steinberg told the newspaper in an e-mail: "I would really ask that
you guys don't write this? If Tiger is NOT implicated, and won't
be, let's please give the kid a break."
Woods announced Friday he is taking an indefinite leave from
golf to work on his marriage after allegations of infidelity
surfaced in recent weeks.
A message was left by The Associated Press late Monday night
seeking comment from Steinberg.
Torres told the newspaper Galea found a previously
undiagnosed tear in her quad tendon.
"Excluding draining my knee, he has never treated me, but I
did see his chiropractor who did soft-tissue work on my leg," she
said in an e-mail to the Times. "That was the extent of my visit
with him."
Her agent, Evan Morgenstein, told the AP that Torres was not
available for comment Monday night.
Brian H. Greenspan, Galea's criminal defense attorney, said
an investigation will vindicate his client.
"Dr. Galea was never engaged in any wrongdoing or any
impropriety," Greenspan said. "Not only does he have a reputation
that is impeccable, he is a person at the every top of his
profession."
Galea, who acknowledged he has used human growth hormone
himself for 10 years, told the newspaper he never gave any athletes
HGH, which is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. And Galea
told the Times he has never combined HGH or Actovegin with his
platelet treatments.
"All these athletes come see me in Canada cause I fix them,
and I think people just assume that I'm giving them stuff," he told
the newspaper. "They don't have to come to me to get HGH and
steroids. You can walk into your local gym in New York and get
HGH."
Galea is also being investigated by the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police for smuggling, advertising and selling unapproved
drugs as well as criminal conspiracy, the Times reported.