zzzz wrote:
rekrunner wrote:Maybe I missed it -- where do you find that the A-Sample was frozen before testing?
My reading of the "lagatfull.doc" report, published at "letsrun" in 2003:
- Both A and B samples were mis-handled
- Neither A nor B sample was frozen, until the refrigerated B-Sample six days later
- Both A and B samples showed EPO modifying enzymatic activity
- The enzymatic activity had also altered the controls "rhEpo and Nesp"
- The B sample failed to corroborate the A sample findings (this doesn't mean the B-sample test result was a "negative", but that it was different than the A-sample result) because of the six days of progress of the enzymatic activity (reportedly present in both samples)
- After the failed corroboration, and upon closer re-inspection, the A-sample did not match synthetic EPO references either
- Had the B-Sample been frozen right away, this would have corroborated the A-sample finding, resulting in a tragic outcome for Lagat, as the disturbing enzymatic activity would have gone unnoticed
- All five "experts" involved in the B-sample analysis unanimously agreed that there was no synthetic EPO in either urine sample
That's what I remember also from back then too. The A sample was misread and never contained EPO. Rojo, if you are still wanting to reinvestigate that 2003 test, start with the document stored on your site:
http://www.letsrun.com/2003/lagatfull.docMaybe some of the 5 "experts" were trying to cover up a positive, so that would be a possible angle for re-examination - people are mentioning Dr. Saugy. If the raw data from the tests are still available, maybe it can be reinterpreted if necessary by other, trusted experts. For now, I am assuming that that document has the correct final story on that test.
Like the other Lagat defenders, I don't see his 5000 performance as out of his range, even at his age. I picked him in my top 3 for the 10000, so the wrong race, but his placing ability obvious depends on how the race goes, with slow paces leading to fast finishes being key. In the 10000, we saw him blow a gasket with several really fast laps, which is consistent with his decline in ability to run sustained paces anywhere near his peak abilities.
I like Torrence a lot, and he could very well be right about Lagat. I don't feel that has to be inconsistent to like both runners. Torrence is in a different position than me, racing against the guy. Like others say, what he has on Lagat is rumors, probably a lot of if from letsrun. Some of what he is saying seems to be demonstrably wrong if the lagatfull.doc paper is correct. I don't think I've heard the rumor about a 2008 cover up, so that could be something that rojo investigates.