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Top-ranked bridge player suspended for doping on synthetic testosterone, female fertility drug

By Lucia I. Suarez Sang | Fox News

The world’s top-ranked bridge player has been suspended for at least a year by the World Bridge Federation after he tested positive for two banned substances.

The federation announced Friday a sample provided by Geir Helgemo, 49, at the World Bridge Series in September 2018 tested positive for synthetic testosterone and clomifene – a female fertility drug.

“As a consequence of the laboratory analysis, an anti-doping charge was brought against the player,” the federation said in a statement. “He accepted that he had committed the violation and accepted a provisional suspended pending consideration by the Anti-Doping Panel.”

Helgemo, who is Norwegian but represents Monaco in bridge events, was suspended by the WBF until November 20 and had all titles, medals and points from the 2018 World Bridge Series revoked.

It wasn't immediately clear what benefits the banned substances may have provided a bridge player.

Kari-Anne Opsal, president of the Norwegian Bridge Federation, said in a statement on their website that the drugs were “not performance enhancing.”

“Geir Helgemo … has previously played for the Norwegian national team and is our biggest star. Many within the bridge community know Geir and respect him,” the statement said. “It is his responsibility not to take substances that are on the doping list, even though in this instance they are not performance enhancing in bridge.”

The World Bridge Federation is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and, as such, abides by World Anti-Doping Agency rules.

This is not the first time Helgemo has been in hot water. In 2017, he spent time in prison for tax evasion.

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Originally posted by Windhover:
I can say from first han...uh I heard that you need speed, strength and agility if you want to most effectively lunge across the table to strangle your partner who bids 7 Spade with no Ace of Spade...at a buck a point... PED helps with all 3...

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The federation announced Friday a sample provided by Geir Helgemo, 49, at the World Bridge Series in September 2018 tested positive for synthetic testosterone and clomifene – a female fertility drug.

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Originally posted by SR:

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Originally posted by Windhover:
I can say from first han...uh I heard that you need speed, strength and agility if you want to most effectively lunge across the table to strangle your partner who bids 7 Spade with no Ace of Spade...at a buck a point... PED helps with all 3...

I barely understand the game... but that bid seem crazy even for a first time player

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Originally posted by BBMW:
I play poker (although not as much as I used to at the height of the poker boom.) I did think that if I decided to play big, high entry tournaments, I'd consider getting/taking attention boosting prescription drugs, such as Ritalin, Adderal, or Provigil, since they might give me an edge.

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Originally posted by tatortodd:

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Originally posted by BBMW:
I play poker (although not as much as I used to at the height of the poker boom.) I did think that if I decided to play big, high entry tournaments, I'd consider getting/taking attention boosting prescription drugs, such as Ritalin, Adderal, or Provigil, since they might give me an edge.

I could see a mental game (e.g. poker or bridge) testing for attention boosters, but testing and suspending for steroids, fertility hormones, growth hormones, etc. is asinine.

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Originally posted by egregore:

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The federation announced Friday a sample provided by Geir Helgemo, 49, at the World Bridge Series in September 2018 tested positive for synthetic testosterone and clomifene – a female fertility drug.

The test sounds bogus.

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... synthetic testosterone and clomifene – a female fertility drug.
< snip >

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Originally posted by Sig2340:

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< snip >
... synthetic testosterone and clomifene – a female fertility drug.
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I've heard of people that like to fuck themselves over, but this takes that mental illness to a whole new level.

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Originally posted by Neel:
Since he was popped for taking female fertility drugs, all he has to say is that this is part of a his transgender strategy.

He'll be honored for his bravery.

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Originally posted by Batty67:
My Mom has been playing contract bridge for 40 years or so and is a life master 4 or 5 times over.