zero doping – cero dopaje

July 28, 2010

The doping rules must be the same, even for Dwain Chambers

Filed under: Athletes — Tags: , , — admin @ 2:10 pm

I am no fan of drug cheats.  Zero doping . Zero tolerance.

But theres the rub. The rules must be the rules whoever you are. Whether you come from spain, UK or colombia, the doping rules must be the same.

And there is the problem. To the disgrace of himself, and all associated with him Dwain Chambers cheated. No doubt about it, and was not as contrite as he should have been.

A ban is a ban, is a ban. If the rule says  Two years is  the penalty. Two years must be imposed. Not a day less. Not a day more, and there it must end.

Can it be right that only because he lives in the UK Dwain Chambers will be prevented from olympic competition. Or that he is excluded from Golden League?

Whatever the rule is, it must be the same for everyone. If EVERYBODY is excluded from olympic competition, so must dwain. Or all must be allowed to compete.  The sport must choose. But it cannot depend on where you live – and it cannot be arbitrary either.

This arbitrary power of the BOA is a throwback, to the days of “gentlemen in blazers” controlling sport. It must now be professional. Have rules. And stick to them. Regardless of who you are or where you come from.  If you are danish or spanish or english, it must be the same tests, The same ban. The same right to compete.

It is a completely separate issue whether we have a lifetime ban. If we do – it must be for all. Not just Dwain.

When is a drug not a drug?

Filed under: Athletes — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 11:45 am

I am confused.

Read the story as it was reported in media:

“The Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser, the Olympic and world 100-meter champion, withdrew from a Diamond League meet after her club said she failed a doping test in May. Bruce James, president of the MVP Track and Field Club, said it was a “minor doping violation” caused by taking medication to treat a “toothache.” James told The Telegraph of Britain that the drug was the painkiller Oxycodone, banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, but not listed as performance-enhancing or as a masking agent”

Surely WADA is about peformance enhancement or attempts to mask such drugs and practises.

So why is a drug banned which does not enhance? Or if it does enhance  why is it not listed as such?-  It is greyness that gives rise to ambiguity, gives rise to controversy.

And if this is just a toothache remedy, why are we penalizing athletes for this? It reminds me of the day Elana Meyer was deemed to have violated by virtue of drinking too much coffee!!

Black and White.

There must be rules,  rules with a proven purpose and background. And black and white adherence to them. Grey will always be a problem.

It is not just about the technical ins and outs – it is about keeping the public onside and supportive.

July 18, 2010

Should I be Worried about Lance?

Filed under: Athletes — Tags: , , , — admin @ 1:06 am

The tour de france seemed to be going so well. No revelations this time. And I am hoping that the likes of Vinikourov have learned their lessons and will not be so stupid as to risk capture again.

But a dark cloud is gathering.

It seems the federal authorities in the USA are taking Floyd Landis’s allegations seriously.

The same man who headed up the investigation into BALCO laboratories will now be examining evidence arising from the Landis revelations.

Clearly Landis is not the best of witnesses. You cannot strenuously deny allegations of doping for so many years THEN be taken seriously when you say “OK, I did it, and all these others are cheating too…”

They say that some other US postal riders are willing to cooperate (although this maybe heresay) – the federal authorities have also said they are only interested in team leaders.

Surely THAT is a defence that has not worked since nuremberg…”but my leader told me to do xyz” has never been a defense in law.

That aside, what worries me most is the carefully crafted statement from the Armstrong camp.

- That Landis’s revelations are a “carton of sour milk” – one sip and you know it is bad.

- That you cannot trust a word that Landis has said!

What seems to be missing to me is a very strenuous denial of all allegations. And a clear statement that he and the team were clean, before and after the remarks above.  Of course that could be just the fact that after so many accusations, you simply run out of steam in denials.

I hope so, I hope for the sport Armstrong is and was Clean.

I am glad that Hincapie has come out with a far more emphatic denial. 

It will be devastating for the sport  if the allegations are proven at any level.

Pat McQuaid Has come out in support of armstrong. I hope he is right.

One of the iconic moments of the tour I will remember for a long time…was Lance and Jan Ullrich on the lower slopes of Alpe Huez. Lance accelerates. Turns – stares at Ullrich, then dances away up the hill to win.

I hope that was pure talent.

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