U.S. Gold and Silver Medal-winning speed skater Joey Cheek appeared on CBS’ “The Early Show” today, where he discussed donating his $40,000 in USOC bonuses to the Right To Play charity.

Cheek, surrounded by special-edition Wheaties boxes with his likeness and wearing a Nike pullover, said, “We’ve raised more than half a million dollars and actually just found out today that Lenovo, one of my partners, [is] going to donate all the computers that we were using in the [Olympic] village.” Athlebrities has nothing but love for this hot athlete who continues to make the world a better place.

Not making the world a better place is Barry Bonds. Ignoring his on-field contributions, let’s have some steroid fun, shall we?

The Associated Press just released this wonderful story of a hot athlete who took it one step too far.
According to a book written by two San Francisco Chronicle reporters, Barry Bonds used a vast array of performance-enhancing drugs, including steroids and human growth hormone, for at least five seasons beginning in 1998. The book, “Game of Shadows” details the San Francisco slugger’s extensive doping program, an excerpt from the book appears in the March 13 issue of Sports Illustrated.

When Bonds heard of the book today at spring training, he said: “I won’t even look at it. For what? There’s no need to.”

Bonds’ agent Jeff Borris told the AP: “I’ve read what was reported. Barry is looking forward to playing this year and the improved health of his knee, and being as productive as he’s ever been.” Great agents know how to dodge the issue. Phone messages left by the AP seeking comment from Bonds’ attorney and publicist were not immediately returned Tuesday.

Authors Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, recount in remarkable detail the specifics of Bonds’ drug regimen, which they write started in 1998 with injections of Winstrol, a powerful steroid also linked to Rafael Palmeiro.

According to the book, Bonds was using two undetectable designer steroids, informally known as the cream and the clear, plus insulin, human growth hormone and other performance enhancers by 2001, when he hit 73 home runs for the Giants to break Mark McGwire’s single-season record of 70 set in 1998. “Game of Shadows” is scheduled to be published March 27 and well on it’s way to becoming a bestseller.

BALCO, the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative run by Victor Conte, kept track of Bonds’ drug use in detail, with folders and calendars that chronicled everything from schedules and quantities to his testosterone levels. Much of that information was obtained by federal agents when they raided the lab in September 2003. According to reports in The Chronicle, Bonds testified to the grand jury in late 2003 that he used a clear substance and a cream given to him by his personal trainer, Greg Anderson, who pleaded guilty in the BALCO case last July to steroid distribution and money laundering. Bonds said he didn’t know that what he was using was a steroid, the newspaper reported.

In October, Anderson was sentenced to three months in prison and three months in home confinement. Conte was among three other men who also pleaded guilty to their role in supplying steroids to elite athletes.

According to the book, Bonds used several substances in various forms — by injecting himself with a syringe, taking injections from Anderson, gulping pills, putting liquid drops under his tongue or rubbing cream on his skin. Bonds became so experienced and well-versed with the regimen that he occasionally overruled Anderson and took control of his own doping schedule, the book says.

The Chronicle reporters, who based the book on a two-year investigation, included an extensive summary on their sources, including court documents, affidavits filed by BALCO investigators, documents written by federal agents, grand jury testimony, audio recordings and interviews with more than 200 people.

**Now, I’ll add my opinion here…over the years people have asked me if I thought Barry Bonds took steroids. I have defended him in the past because I felt his ego was too big for steroid use. “He doesn’t need to” was all I could say. At one time, prior to the steroid “allegations” I knew Barry. He was a friend. But that doesn’t cloud my judgement anymore. After a few “seasons” his attitude began to change and he wasn’t just noticeably bigger, he became massive. His attitude and goals transformed in front of my eyes and in hindsight, I knew why. He wanted and still wants to break all the records. Did I think he juiced up to do it? Hell ya. Did I see him take steroids? No I didn’t. What I did see was a private, gifted athlete slowly loose a grip on his career and give up all his power to his “wife.” I believe she was instrumental in Bonds changing his focus from “par-tay” time, to “let’s make history” time. It’s a shame though, because he truly has a god given talent that forever will be tarnished by a few bad choices. Sorry Lamar. Had to be said.

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda