runDirtyrun wrote:
TJR25 wrote:Salazar specifically stated that the rate of thyroid problems are significantly higher in elite athletes (and used a study to back it up), which are the only type of people that he is coaching. So it would be normal to have a higher % of athletes with thyroid problems compared to the General population %, and he showed the limited use of TUE's which seems to be one of the main points everyone was making. I wonder if the naturally slender body type of distance runners has a predisposition to thyroid problems.
Uhhh. Ok. Do you know who else referred to scientific studies? Lance Armstrong.
Then, why wouldn't the prevalence of these "thyroid issues" appear in other endurance sports like Cycling or Triathlon? How about those crazy folks doing long distance trail running?
Thyroid issues would have established itself as a pattern in human performance a long time ago if it were a real thing.
Al Salazar has done another poor job at rebutting the allegations. But, none of it will get him sanctioned. He knows it. He knows the rules and runs a doping program within the rules.
Ideally, the level of doping permitted in elite IOC athletics becomes a broader topic, including Testosterone abuse. Al Sal will still be at NOP, doping within the rules.
Everyone uses scientific studies, and explain to me exactly how Lance used the scientific studies.
The study found that 21% of all of Great Britain's athletes had thyroid issues and we are only talking about runners, so why would other endurance athletes matter? When doing a study you want to eliminate as many other factors as possible and if that means eliminating another sport when your sample size with runners is already large enough, what is the point?
Due to the fact of medical advancements we have been able to realize that thyroid issues exist.
Where are your scientific studies.
The east Africans (to the best of my knowledge) are not subject to the same testing western athletes are, therefore making it much easier to dope. Who cares or even knows if Alberto is gaining an advantage within the rules to compete with the East Africans (or as you put it, a legal doping program), go cry about it, USA distance running would be nowhere without him. If the rules say you can do something to help performance you would be an idiot and a terrible coach not to use it, especially when as an athlete, maximizing career earnings is important because you only have 20 or so years at the absolute most to make all of your money.
You make a good point at the end, the topic should be revisited and the rules should be rewritten or at the very least clarified down to the point where your average 5th grader coups interpret them correctly so that there is absolutely no gray area.