More evidence that many endurance performances of the late 90's are tainted

Interesting article. We have heard many stories from cyclists that are similar but until we have heard them from athletes we cannot assume that track and field is even close to cycling in terms of EPO use.

Then you are one naive mofo!

60secsurge wrote:

Interesting article. We have heard many stories from cyclists that are similar but until we have heard them from athletes we cannot assume that track and field is even close to cycling in terms of EPO use.

Agreed. Within the last 12 to 24 months, cycling has much more of a culture of transparency and confession (not complete transparency as is painfully obvious with Landis, Rasmussen, and others). But it is easier (but not easy) for cyclists to be honest about their illegal activities now because the drug testing is much more effective and so many others have confessed. A cyclist who confesses won't be the lone outcast that's considered the black sheep of the sporing family. Unfortunately, I think in athletics, that isn't the case yet.

Maybe I'm naive, but if doping is as prevalent as some people say it is, I'm surprised that not one credible person comes out late or after his career is over and fesses up to it. Not everybody has a huge legacy to protect, and I would imagine someone could bring in lots of money with "tell all" book sales. I'm thinking particularly in cycling about the guys who were really good, but served as mules for the Armstrongs of the world.

Of course, I'm also surprised that no murderers come out after being found not guilty and say, "I did it, and it was fun. Suck on that one, victim's family!" OK, after moving to another country to avoid the civil suit...

There have been numerous athletes admit to doping. Several cyclists have done so without any evidence.

Yeah, some of my endurance performances from the late 90's are tainted as well...wait...what are we talking about?

Typical Media crap.

Did they or Did they not Make the Drug taker look like the

Victim?

"I'm the Victim but my Coach is a Complete Bastard"

Has been tried once to Often.

This drug taker should be banished from the sport for ever and forbidden to take one cent from Her Story.

Werner Reiterer (Aussie dicus champ) wrote a tell all book on drug taking during his time. Mark Fountain accused the then Aussie National coach (Said Aouita) of encouraging drug use. Fountain was banished and now bases himself off shore.

This cyclist is responsible for her actions - and she deserves to be held accountable for her conduct. But it is tragic to see just how isolated her life had become - and subject to a controlling person (or so it appears) in her coach and erstwhile husband. I can see how it happens - a gifted young person is so devoted to the port they spend very little time learning how to deal with the rest of the world and resisting distractions from people, and find it easier to mindlessly follow a mentor and coach. This doesn't excuse her behavior - but it does remind us that a maniacal devotion to a singular pursuit can exact a price.

observer of sports wrote:

Agreed. Within the last 12 to 24 months, cycling has much more of a culture of transparency and confession (not complete transparency as is painfully obvious with Landis, Rasmussen, and others). But it is easier (but not easy) for cyclists to be honest about their illegal activities now because the drug testing is much more effective and so many others have confessed. A cyclist who confesses won't be the lone outcast that's considered the black sheep of the sporing family. Unfortunately, I think in athletics, that isn't the case yet.

According to Arne Ljungqvist, former president of IOF´s medical committe and now vice president of Wada, T&F and swimming has the toughest doping tests of all sports. I think he nows better than the Letsrun crowd.

Well said Detector.

observer of sports wrote:

Agreed. Within the last 12 to 24 months, cycling has much more of a culture of transparency and confession (not complete transparency as is painfully obvious with Landis, Rasmussen, and others). But it is easier (but not easy) for cyclists to be honest about their illegal activities now because the drug testing is much more effective and so many others have confessed. A cyclist who confesses won't be the lone outcast that's considered the black sheep of the sporing family. Unfortunately, I think in athletics, that isn't the case yet.

BS detector wrote:

According to Arne Ljungqvist, former president of IOF´s medical committe and now vice president of Wada, T&F and swimming has the toughest doping tests of all sports. I think he nows better than the Letsrun crowd.

Doesn't matter if the administration of the sport are complicit and don't take down the big names when they come up positive. Sorry to burst any pollyanna's bubble, but Regina tested positive for drugs YEARS before THG showed up on her results and she was allowed to continue to compete and win domestic titles and set domestic records by the powers that be. It's completely illogical that she would be an isolated case in this type of incident, so you can bet that there are others who have been caught by testers but the higher-ups have chosen to cover it up to prevent their sport from getting the kind of black eye that cycling is currently suffering from. I do believe that cycling is a much dirtier sport than T&F, due mostly to cycling authorities looking the other way for so long, but if things continue as they recently have with cycling then that equation could be turned completely around even if cycling has to take a PR hit for it. In the long run, cycling will gain from this doping purge and unfortunately the T&F administration isn't known for having much of a long-range vision.

Yes the Americans have been known for this, not the East Africans.

I agree that Americans have done this, but are you really convinced that the IAAF wouldn't have a vested interest in runners such as Geb, Tergat, El G, Morceli, Kiptanui, Komen, Loroupe, Ndereba, Roba, and the rest of the East African distance stars (this is not to necessarily imply that all or any given one are or have been dopers) appearing to remain clean to keep the sport scandal-free? T&F, as much as any other sport (like tennis or golf), is built upon individual stars and it (along with the governing bodies that oversee it) benefits only from the perception that the competition is clean and free of conspiracy or scandal, no matter how that perception is achieved. The IAAF and the NGBs under its umbrella lose out on $$ (televised coverage contracts, corporate sponsorships) if the public objects to and is turned off by doping scandals and therefore tunes out in large numbers.

I was under the impression that the dominance of the East Africans had contributed to track and field being less popular in America today. Wouldn't it be in America's (and perhaps Europe's) best interests to catch out (in an assumption that they are doping) these cheats, therefore giving there own runners a better chance at better results?

60secsurge wrote:

I was under the impression that the dominance of the East Africans had contributed to track and field being less popular in America today.

Upon exactly what is this presumptuous contention based? T&F has never been more popular in America.

I haven't worded things correctly. I would have thought that distance running (on the track and the road) was more popular in America in the '70's/early '80's. The days of Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Alberto Salazar, etc.

'Track and Field' will always have some popularity in America because they always dominate the sprints. If the distance races are popular right now then it likely has a bit to do with Allan Webb and Bernard Lagat.

I just assumed (maybe I shouldn't?) that Americans mostly like to watch Americans winning. Personally I loved to watch Gebrselassie take on Komen, Hissou and Tergat in the '90's. I just don't imagine that many Americans would have had much interest. Go Haile this Sunday!

but they have; Bjarne Riis for one.