WADA president John Fahey says he would like baseball to be part of its anti-doping code. (Laurent Gillieron/Associated Press)
The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency is calling Major League Baseball's decision to suspend Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez for 50 games a progressive step.
John Fahey said it shows baseball is no longer denying there is a problem with athletes using performance-enhancing drugs.
He added that WADA would like baseball to be part of its anti-doping code, but he's happy the sport is finally dealing with the problem.
Fahey said it would be easier if all sports adopted the code, but the move to suspend Ramirez is a step in that direction.
He made his comments in Montreal at the signing of a formal agreement to keep the agency's international headquarters in the city until December 2021.
On Thursday, Ramirez was barred from playing until July 3 after testing positive for a banned substance. Ramirez said he did not take steroids and was prescribed medication by a doctor.
The commissioner's office didn't announce the violation, but Ramirez, 36, will forfeit roughly one-third (about $7.6 million US) of his $25-million salary.
Two sources told ESPN that Ramirez used the female fertility drug HCG, human chorionic gonadotropin. The drug can be taken by steroid users after they complete cycles to get their bodies to produce testosterone naturally again.
Under the MLB's drug policy, a player receives a 50-game suspension for a first positive drug test, a 100-game suspension for a second positive test and a lifetime ban for a third positive test. All suspensions are without pay.
Ramirez has six home runs and 20 runs batted in this season while posting a .348 batting average in his first full season with L.A.
Acquired by Los Angeles from Boston last July 31, the fan favourite's contract negotiations became a long-running drama during the off-season, and Ramirez agreed in early March — well after the start of spring training — to a $45 million, two-year contract that gives him the right to void the second season and become a free agent again.
John Fahey said it shows baseball is no longer denying there is a problem with athletes using performance-enhancing drugs.
He added that WADA would like baseball to be part of its anti-doping code, but he's happy the sport is finally dealing with the problem.
Fahey said it would be easier if all sports adopted the code, but the move to suspend Ramirez is a step in that direction.
He made his comments in Montreal at the signing of a formal agreement to keep the agency's international headquarters in the city until December 2021.
On Thursday, Ramirez was barred from playing until July 3 after testing positive for a banned substance. Ramirez said he did not take steroids and was prescribed medication by a doctor.
The commissioner's office didn't announce the violation, but Ramirez, 36, will forfeit roughly one-third (about $7.6 million US) of his $25-million salary.
Two sources told ESPN that Ramirez used the female fertility drug HCG, human chorionic gonadotropin. The drug can be taken by steroid users after they complete cycles to get their bodies to produce testosterone naturally again.
Under the MLB's drug policy, a player receives a 50-game suspension for a first positive drug test, a 100-game suspension for a second positive test and a lifetime ban for a third positive test. All suspensions are without pay.
Ramirez has six home runs and 20 runs batted in this season while posting a .348 batting average in his first full season with L.A.
Acquired by Los Angeles from Boston last July 31, the fan favourite's contract negotiations became a long-running drama during the off-season, and Ramirez agreed in early March — well after the start of spring training — to a $45 million, two-year contract that gives him the right to void the second season and become a free agent again.
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