North Korea: Does lightning cause steroids?

Remember last week when the North Korean women's soccer coach offered up the excuse of a lifetime?

To account for his team's loss against the United States in the opening match of the Women's World Cup, coach Kim Kwang Min said that at least eight members of his team had been struck by lightning.

Ouch.

Well, now the question seems to be: Can lightning cause steroids?

According to FIFA, soccer's international governing body, two North Korean defenders — Song Jong-Sun and Jong Pok-Sim — both tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid, AFP reported.

The two players were benched before a match with Colombia yesterday, which ended in a draw.

Because there are two instances of alleged steroid use on one team, FIFA said it would test the entire team.

Theo Zwanziger, president of the football federation in Germany, which is hosting is the Women's World Cup, said the incident reveals how far North Korea would go in the name of a win.

This incident underlines the impression of the inhumane system in North Korea where attempts are made to give athletes success by any means possible.

We are eager to hear Kim Kwang Min's excuse after this one.

Oh wait, that's him on the phone … something about a UFO and a dog eating his …