Not making this up: 36-year old Italian distance runner banned for 36-years

It makes me think they are punishing him (a virtual nobody) to make it look like they are tough on dopers. What a show…

AIU about to pull up to my local turkey trot and hand out 12 year doping bans to the winners

why would you be making it up?

It does seem a bit absurd to give a 36 year ban to a 1:19 half marathon runner, but I'm curious how prevalent doping is among amateur runners. Maybe the AIU thinks it's a huge problem and since they so rarely test these runners when they find one who is doping they feel like they need to make an example out of them.

What is he actually banned from if he's a nobody?

Kind of interesting. There's a new masters runner in my area that reminds me of this guy.

Muscled up, pitches supplements on social media. Poses for pictures constantly.

Runs 20-35 miles per week at 9 minute pace. Usually nabs one or two strava CRs, but other than that, no structured training.

Then, approximately 2-3 weekends per month, he'll double up on races. Has been setting half marathon PRs Saturday, followed by 5k-10k PRs the very next day. Will try to find races he can win both events, or run two separate events.

It's all fishy, most of the local runners think something is up, but the end result is we all actually feel bad for the guy. Not sure how I'd feel if he was banned.

Seems harsh to go so tough on a nobody when they turn a blind eye to the real problems at the elite level

I think it is a question of how "36 years" sounds in this case. If a local runner is jacked on 'roids or buying illegal meds and gets busted, I have no problem with them just giving him a lifetime ban. It is only from sanctioned events; he can still post on Strava and social media. He can still push his "legal supplements." He just can't flex on all the local dads in the area with his racing prowess (though 1:19 is slow for 36 y.o.).

But calling it a 36 year ban sounds bad because it is so much more than what the "real dopers" get.

I agree with how that feels but I don't think they've turned a blind eye necessarily. Over 25 pro Kenyans including the current Boston winner (Diana Kipyokei) have been taken down. The best 1500m runner of the previous era - Asbel Kiprop (3:26) - is still sitting at home, banned. Coleman was banned during the Olympic year... they aren't doing "nothing."

1 down, 275,000 to go.

It's about freaking time one of these clowns got caught.

Shouldn't everyone everywhere be more concerned about America's drug problem in the general population?

Deer AIU, please test Nick Bare.

It is closer to a proper ban, and better than just 4 years, but falls short of what should happen to any athlete that fails a test.

Lifetime ban with no means for reversal, all history stripped because you never know what previous races were clean, and a fine equal to the exact amount of any winning up to that point in their life applied in a way that makes it impossible to discharge via bankruptcy.

A failed test should ruin an athletes life and only then will we see an end to doping.

Apparently he was caught drinking his espresso with his lunch instead of after. The doping was a secondary issue.

Doping yourself, trafficking and doping others, plus competing despite a ban...a severe punishment is called for. His corruption goes far beyond himself, so the fact that he runs a 1:19 half, is irrelevant.

You sure love the hyphen

Wow, as someone when a HM PR of 1:20:XX, I feel totally vindicated. Everyone ahead of me actually was doping!