saw this in the early summer--not sure what's up now
n Olympic wrestling booster is back in the news again.
In June of 2004, the Palm Beach Post reported U.S. freestyle wrestlers were enjoying their stay during a pre-Olympic training camp at the spacious Jupiter, Fla., home of a businessman and avid wrestling booster, whose hospitality included a 24-hour chef, a whirlpool and a swimming pool.
Wednesday, The New York Times reported that a Florida businessman, who hosted the U.S. freestyle wrestling team at his home for a week-long training camp in 2004, is under investigation in connection to Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center. Joseph Raich, 44, has not been charged. The Times identified Raich as the vice president of Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center, which has been investigated as part of a network of businesses allegedly providing illegal prescriptions for steroids and human growth hormone.
Rich Bender, executive director since 2001 of USA Wrestling, the sport's national governing body, said Wednesday he did not recall meeting Raich and was not familiar with Raich's business.
" I don't know anything about his business," said Bender. "We know him as somebody that was involved in hosting our team during a training camp that was arranged through the Community Olympic Development Program in Palm Beach," Bender said. "It's no more or no less than that."
Also this week, SI.com reported 1996 Olympic wrestling champion and current pro wrestler Kurt Angle was on the client list of an Alabama company raided in connection with the nationwide probe.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: PALM BEACH | Olympic | Times | Rejuvenation
" The thing that we're real proud of is that we've never had a positive (performance enhancing drug) test in the world and Olympic Games ever," Bender said of wrestlers representing the USA in the world championships and Olympics. "Our athletes, just like any other Olympic athletes, are subject to very rigorous testing and we've been clean. We're fortunate that hasn't been a big issue in our sport."
An early test for human growth hormone - somatropin - was developed for the Athens Games. Steroid testing has been conducted at the Olympics since 1976.