OLD SMTC SOB wrote:
test2 wrote:IMO it's not cheating if you have an under-active thyroid and take thyroid hormone but it's been suggested that Salazar manipulates the dosage of Rupp's thyroid meds leading up to competitions, offered Rupp's meds to Kara Goucher, and coached Lauren Fleshman on how to get prescribed the highest dose of an asthma inhaler when she didn't have asthma. Do you think that behavior is ethical or do you doubt the reports?
I doubt everything that starts with the term "its been suggested". Its either proven to be accurate by a reputable source (IE the MD prescribing), or its hearsay, nothing more. And Saladbar can't manipulate anything, has to be done by an MD/DO/RNP or PA, who can risk losing his/her license if the medications are prescribed for anything other their intended use. Additionally, prescribed thyroid hormones are not "quick acting", takes quite some time for higher doses to take effect. Also, what kind of PED effect do you really think it has? The answer is "none".
There is quite a bit of room between hearsay and proven fact. A number of people have been quoted on record saying that Salazar has Rupp and company manipulate their prescription meds with the goal of increasing performance. Maybe their is a conspiracy against NOP? I'm not a fan of conspiracy theories.
Whether the performance gain is real or imagined, is an open science question but it would appear the intent is there. About your point that the Doctor deserves the blame, yes, absolutely. ... Who said thyroid replacement hormone was quick acting?
Hey, just so you know where I'm coming from, I'm not a knee jerk Rupp/Salazar hater. For a long time I couldn't understand the animus toward Salazar on these boards. Honestly I think a lot of it is just Salazar and Rupp's public personas rub people the wrong way. But then since after the London Olympics we're seen a steady stream of ex-NOP runners and coaches accuse Salazar of shenanigans with prescription pills, androgel, etc. Maybe you haven't followed those news reports closely but they paint at the very least a consistent picture of a coach trying to manipulate prescription drugs (most of which are not banned by WADA and don't require a TUE) to provide an advantage to his athletes. Ostensibly he's tried very hard to do this without breaking any of WADA's specific rules. Maybe that makes it all okay? Maybe all of the people beating Rupp are doing what he's doing and taking EPO when I they go to high altitude training camp so that makes him clean by comparison?
All I can say is I'm not comfortable with it and am no longer a fan.