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[Definitie:] "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance."
(Wilmore and Costill) 
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2 3 - 1 1 - 2 0 0 4 3 plead not guilty of scheme to import steroids
It is not known if the men are linked to an international scandal on sports supplements
By LEE ROOD
Three men pleaded not guilty Monday in connection with a Des Moines-based steroid investigation.
Federal authorities would not say Monday whether the three were linked to the international BALCO scandal. However, one of those arrested in connection with the ring - Milos Sarcev, a well-known bodybuilder and former Mr. Yugoslavia from Fullerton, Calif. - once designed workouts for clients of BALCO, the sports supplement laboratory that funneled designer steroids to high-profile athletes, ESPN magazine has reported.
Sarcev, 40; Des Moines bodybuilder Admir Kantarevic, 33; and Dennis Tyron James, 35, of Thailand are accused in an alleged conspiracy to import steroids. According to a brief indictment released late Monday after the pleas were made, Sarcev and Kantarevic allegedly imported "a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of anabolic steroids" from Thailand in the spring of 2003.
Kantarevic, whom acquaintances said also went by the name "Dado," was also charged with possessing anabolic steroids with intent to distribute. The bodybuilder used to belong to Prairie Life Health & Fitness Center in West Des Moines. However, his membership ended after workers discovered he had been posing as one of the center's personal trainers, said center manager Debby Hudson.
"He's pretty much old news around here," Hudson said.
Kantarevic and his attorney could not be reached for comment.
Al Overbaugh, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney in Des Moines, said he could not comment about any links between the men arrested in the Des Moines investigation and a sports scandal touching major league baseball players including Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi.
"The indictment is the only thing that is public right now," Overbaugh said.
Rick Collins, Sarcev's New York attorney, said the federal authorities' entire case appeared to "rest upon a single box that contains steroids found in the mail." Collins said the box was delivered to Kantarevic's address.
He would not say how the three defendants knew each other. "I have no idea how they're trying to connect my client to the investigation," he said.
A national expert on anabolic steroid law, Collins has long maintained publicly that his client is not a steroid dealer. "He is one of the nicest guys in bodybuilding and has fans all over the world."
ESPN magazine reported in March that federal drug agents raided Sarcev's home in December, seizing his computer and other items. According to the magazine, Sarcev had designed workouts for clients of BALCO owner Victor Conte Jr., who has been indicted on charges of steroid distribution and money laundering.
Sarcev also worked with BALCO client Tim Montgomery before the sprinter set the world record in the 100 meters in September 2002, the magazine said.
A trial on the Des Moines charges has been set for Jan. 3. The charges carry a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison or a fine of not more than $250,000.
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