Some athletes are clean. You can tell. Or can you?
I am sure many people have felt cheated when they pronounc any athlete is clean – to find their world collapse on the front pages of newspapers that “such and such” has been sent home following a doping failure.
I know i have put faith in some who let me down.
For all that I still believe.
I met Diane Modahl, and her personality was such I judge she could never have cheated. She would rather have come seventh in an honest race, than finish first by cheating. That was my opinion then, and it has not changed since – which makes it so much worse, that she was apparent victim of a testing disaster.
I believe in Paula Radcliffe too.
But I wonder whether her vociferously anti doping stance may become her undoing. Who can forget the images of Paula holding a placard at a track race, opposing a drug cheat who had escaped banning just on a technicality
I can think that very stance (and good on Paula for being outspoken) some have a grudge to settle with Paula and thats the trouble. A marathoner is more vulnerable than most.
There are those who would take the chance to spike a drink. With a marathoner there are opportunities. Or long distance cyclists taking drinks from the road.
A meal. A drink even a cup of tea at roadside catering trailer?
I hope for paulas sake those charged with the security
of her drinks and food do not have a bad day.
But she must live in fear of those with a grudge to settle.
She reminds me of the film gladiator: when the identity of maximus is revealed he worries about eating in case his food has been tampered
