China Vows to Police Steroid Trade Ahead of 2008 Olympics

China, "under U.S. pressure" ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, said it is "scrutinizing" companies based there that are accused of exporting steroids and it is "vowing to better police the trade," according to the
Washington Post.

Interviews with steroid makers and suppliers highlight the challenges in containing the problem, as "confusion over regulations reigns, and companies can manipulate the system."

According to the Post:

"Since at least 2005, when a U.S.-led crackdown crippled Mexico's steroid industry, Chinese firms have been supplying the vast majority of the steroids sold over the Internet, according to U.S. law enforcement officials. Those steroids are used by a wide range of athletes, from amateur bodybuilders to top-tier professionals."

With the Olympics now nine months away, authorities certainly want to do all they can to at least eliminate the perception of easy access to their performance-enhancing substances.

The story continues:

"The steroids issue is particularly sensitive as China prepares to host its first Olympics. Chinese authorities are determined to use the Games as an opportunity to showcase their country as a modern state and are keen to prevent any potential embarrassments.

"The Chinese Food and Drug Administration last month announced a five-agency investigation and a plan to "standardize" production and distribution of steroids. While the country's FDA has provided no further details and would not comment specifically on the Chinese companies that had been targeted, it has said the investigation is the first of its size and scope."

Sounds like a situation that will be a major struggle for all parties.

Maybe Major League Baseball can help since they've done such a fabulous job of ridding their sport of steroids?