Steroid Purchases by Ben Johnson’s Doctor Recounted

TORONTO —  Sprinter Ben Johnson’s doctor purchased large quantities of steroids intended for cats, dogs and horses beginning in 1985, a Canadian federal inquiry into drug use in amateur sports was told today.

Joseph Kiefer, director of corporate relations with Sterling Drug Ltd., the only maker of stanozolol products in North America, testified that Dr. Jamie Astaphan began purchasing tablets of the muscle-building drug in June, 1985.

Astaphan turned to an injectable form in December, 1985, Kiefer told the inquiry. Previous testimony has indicated that at that time, Astaphan began injecting Johnson and other Canadian athletes with a new drug he called estrogol.

Stanozolol, manufacturered by Sterling under the trade names Winstrol and Winstrol V, was found in Johnson’s urine at the Seoul Olympics. Johnson was stripped of a gold medal and world record in the 100 meters, triggering the inquiry.