Lund suspended for baldness-cure

Jan 2006

Oympic medal hopeful Zach Lund was suspended from the World Cup circuit after testing positive for the banned substance Propecia, a drug normally used to combat baldness. Lund, who was leading the World Cup rankings, may also be left of the U.S. Olympic squad for using the masking agent.

The international skeleton federation has suspended Lund after he tested positive for the drug at a World Cup event last month and will wait for the outcome of a United States Andi-Doping Agency investigation to determine his fate.

The president of the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, Jim Shea Sr., confirmed to the New York Times that Lund had been banned.

He also told the American newspaper that Lund was no cheat.

"It's on the banned list: no question, he screwed up," Shea said. "He lost his spot on the World Cup team, and it's possible he won't be able to go to the Games.

On a personal level, it's so sad. He's worked so hard to get here. I know Zach Lund, and I know Zach Lund is not a cheat."

The 27-year-old Lund had been preparing for a World Cup contest in Germany.

His father, Mac Lund, told the New York Times that his son has used an anti-baldness products for years.

"Zach began taking a hair restorer product, pro something, I don't remember the exact name, about six years ago," the elder Lund said. "I don't know whether he still takes it or if he stopped."

Propecia has been on US and international anti-doping agency lists of banned substances for more than a year because it can be taken to hide steroid use.

The product contains finastride, also banned as a masking agent, which has been found to prevent steroid detection.