Some runners have asked me, if they took EPO how much would they improve? This question is difficult to answer because there are many variables which come into play. Of course these athletes have no intention of crossing the line, but they are curious to know how much it might benefit them.
Back in my day (the mid 70's) when Bob Holt was running 13:48/28:39 on just 60 miles a week, working full time (9-5) in the city of London and training just once a day from Wimbledon Common Park - who is to say that had he (Holt) taken EPO - he would have run 27 minutes? You can only make educated guesses.
Another problem is that when people make a breakthrough in running, the finger of suspicion is often raised.
In France, when I stayed in Marseille, I saw how easy it was for some runners to obtain EPO, because that is a drug of choice for many geriatric sick people, and some of the runners are in contact with those people. In France there was a real problem at the time - but none of the runners who were caught, were ever put through the hate chamber like Lombard has. Many of them returned to competition, and not many people raised eyebrows. I am not saying this is good, but that is what happened there. This was in the late 90's and early 2000-2004. Even Benoit Zwierchlewski (2:06 marathon) was found to have products in his apartment in Marseille, but it all blew over and he is running again, albeit at a lower level (recent 31:00 clocking for 10km road). When he ran the Paris marathon that year in 2:06 (2003), he finished the race with a flip at the finish line, such was his energy and vigor. Driss El Himer (also in the 2:06 range) was also under suspicion and nothing came of it. After the race, it was comical and sad to see Driss shouting and accusing Benoit.....Driss hates Benoit Z. and the feud has persisted. They do not communicate, even though they often run on the same team, and attend the same training camps for Federation athletes.
There will come a time in the future, when taking products might become 'legal' under the supervision and approval of medical personnel. There will always be people, who gain some kind of advantage in sport, and if not in drugs, with other means. Many doctors argue, that legalising certain products, will drastically reduce the risks of inappropriate use and cheating. Even a prominent physiologist at a London Hospital has supported the cause (for legalisation of certain products, under medical supervision).
Some would also argue that sleeping in altitude simulation tents should be illegal, because it has similar benefits to the body, and Radcliffe is known to use that.
Ghost in Korea
c.moulton (www.gifle.go.kr)