Essendon star David Zaharakis alleged to have been given anti-ageing drug Carly Crawford
From: Herald Sun
August 04, 2013 BOMBERS star David Zaharakis was allegedly given an anti-ageing drug whose status is unclear as part of the Bombers' 2012 supplement regime.
Despite claims Zaharakis, 23, was not part of the Bombers' controversial program, the Herald Sun has confirmed there are allegations he was given the capsule TA-65.
Zaharakis is believed to have been assured TA-65 did not contravene anti-doping rules and Essendon has medical advice that the drug is not prohibited.
But the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority has been unable to explain its status to the Herald Sun.
The revelation comes as the AFL and Essendon examine a 400-page report from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority about the club's supplement regime.
Essendon's former sports scientist, Stephen Dank, has told associates Zaharakis had been given TA-65, a herb extract which is said to improve stamina and joint flexibility.
Essendon declined to comment on whether Zaharakis took the drug.
Anti-ageing doctor Robin Willcourt, who worked with Dank during his time with Essendon and is a strong promoter of TA-65, insists it has no performance-enhancing properties and believes it should not be banned.
The sports medicine specialist recently appointed by Essendon to review its supplement program, Andrew Garnham, said there should be no doubt it was clear for athletes to use.
"TA-65 is regarded as safe and not prohibited," he said.
"While a number of unproven claims have been made about TA-65, there has been no suggestion that it has a performance-enhancing effect."
He said TA-65 was readily available in the US, its place of manufacture.
"There is no reason to think TA-65 is prohibited," Dr Garnham said.
But ASADA appears unsure. The authority is waiting on word from the World Anti-Doping Agency if TA-65 should be prohibited.
WADA is assessing that drug, and a range of others, for possible inclusion on its list of banned substances.
TA-65 is not registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
The Australian Crime Commission's drugs in sport report identified it as having unknown health consequences.
In a paid TV interview, Essendon's former high-performance manager Dean Robinson suggested Zaharakis was the only player not to have taken part in the club's injections program.
The claim was disputed by former Bombers vice-captain Mark McVeigh, who said he believed a number of players had not received injections.
It is not clear whether Robinson knew Zaharakis had allegedly been given the anti-ageing capsule.
Zaharakis' manager Scott Lucas last week told SEN radio that his client "basically, doesn't like needles".
On that basis, he felt confident Zaharakis would not be penalised if ASADA found the club's supplement regime had contravened anti-doping rules.
"It makes things a bit easier," Lucas said.
"It has been a different conversation with David from us to him as a result of that.
"When there's been talk of potential penalties (for players), the very essence of that is that it doesn't apply to David."
Lucas did not return calls and Essendon declined to comment.
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