Santa Barbara Triathlete gets 4 year ban for doping, runs race this weekend

He was banned from Ironman. This was not an Ironman event.

not ironman wrote:

He was banned from Ironman. This was not an Ironman event.

That's the way I read it also.

Looking at the pic, he must be #271.

He IS #271.

http://results.active.com/events/fox-fall-xc-classic/fox-fall-xc-classic-2016/expanded

not ironman wrote:

He was banned from Ironman. This was not an Ironman event.

The statement also says "....any other WADA Code Signatory". So, it's not just Ironman events.

I'm not sure if/how it would be applicable in this event.

NY bagel wrote:

He IS #271.

http://results.active.com/events/fox-fall-xc-classic/fox-fall-xc-classic-2016/expanded

So, a convicted triathlete doper can't win a 5-mile XC race that has no one under 28-minutes in the race? Who cares? He stinks and will win nothing noteworthy - if anything - as a runner.

NY bagel wrote:

He IS #271.

http://results.active.com/events/fox-fall-xc-classic/fox-fall-xc-classic-2016/expanded

So, a convicted triathlete doper can't win a 5-mile XC race that has no one under 28-minutes in the race? Who cares? He stinks and will win nothing noteworthy - if anything - as a runner.

The German inqisition wrote:

not ironman wrote:

He was banned from Ironman. This was not an Ironman event.

The statement also says "....any other WADA Code Signatory". So, it's not just Ironman events.

I'm not sure if/how it would be applicable in this event.

My understanding is he would be ineligible for any USATF sanctioned race but local unsanctioned races there is nothing stopping him.

Lance wasn't able to enter a local masters swim meet because it falls under USMS but has competed in local trail races during his ban.

The SB racing scene is well organized. Some races can attract fast people, and the master's running scene is especially competitive. This particular race was small, but there are a lot of quality races in the area. I've only run there a couple times, so I had to check to see if I've ever run against this guy. I haven't, but I almost did. I would have if he had scheduled his races a bit differently. I would have been irritated to lose to a doper.

I respect his competitive spirit. Sounds like another Lance.

I get that this is a small local race. What I dont understand is after being served with a 4 year suspension that Mr. Smith is wearing his sponsors uniform. Does the governing body for triathlon inform the sponsors who continue to support dopers or is it their duty to investigate their own sponsored athletes.

I have mixed feelings about suspended athletes competing in unsanctioned events. At some level, if an athlete just loves their sport (and don't say that dopers don't), then I think they should be able to engage in the activity. You wouldn't complain about a suspended soccer player in a pickup game. Well, some of these low-key races are on a pretty comparable level. Maybe the best possible approach would be for these suspended athletes to ask the RDs to DQ them, so they don't screw up the awards or standings.

I wouldn't necessarily lump Sharapova's exhibition tournament in the same category. The problem there is that having her headline a high-profile event undermines the moral force of the suspension. But if she wanted to play in a mixed doubles tournament at a club, with no media around, I'd say why not.

I understand your argument, especially about Sharapova. I'm sure that benefited a charitable organization too. I'm one county over from Santa Barbara though and have raced in many SB races and it is very competitive there. I dont mind like you said if he casually races in community races, I just think it is wrong to wear the sponsored uniform.

to play devils advocate, why not? I've heard of at least two sponsored athletes (both nike guys, so maybe that says it all) that still received their regular clothing allotment for some time after their ban was known and/or official. That tells me that at least one sponsor doesn't really care, so why shouldn't he support the sponsor that's supporting him even while doping? sad but have to admit there's an element of truth to it-

couple of interesting questions here.

1, is Ironman a wada signatory? I would assume not, and thus he's basically only banned from ironman events only, so ostensibly could race usatriathon events? crazy, I just honestly don't know.

Second, odd that he's apparently good friends with alicia shay and chris vargo (who just got married), I would be surprised that they would associate with a known doper but perhaps they err on the forgiveness side of things.

Last, I really don't give two sh**'s about the sponsor uniform, I think that's a silly thing to get hung up on when a guy is hitting the T in order to beat age groupers in IM racing.

Do you have any idea what his banned substance was? Probably best not to get too wrapped up in judgement unless you know the facts (or have a racist agenda, I suppose).

knower of things. wrote:

couple of interesting questions here.

1, is Ironman a wada signatory? I would assume not, and thus he's basically only banned from ironman events only, so ostensibly could race usatriathon events? crazy, I just honestly don't know.

Second, odd that he's apparently good friends with alicia shay and chris vargo (who just got married), I would be surprised that they would associate with a known doper but perhaps they err on the forgiveness side of things.

Last, I really don't give two sh**'s about the sponsor uniform, I think that's a silly thing to get hung up on when a guy is hitting the T in order to beat age groupers in IM racing.

I am guessing that you did not read the first link. I suggest you read it as it answers your question.

knower of things. wrote:

Second, odd that he's apparently good friends with alicia shay and chris vargo (who just got married), I would be surprised that they would associate with a known doper but perhaps they err on the forgiveness side of things.

Have you ever been friends with someone busted for doping? Heck, have you ever been friends with someone who made any kind of serious mistake? Maybe you do things differently, but I don't just sever ties with someone because they screwed up.

Of course we all have had friends make mistakes and we have not severed relationships with them. The point here though is when a guy makes a big public mistake say he gets an awful DUI, then seeing your friend the next week driving a car impaired just doesn't warrant forgiveness. This guy was suspended for 4 years for exogenous testosterone. He should make amends by apologizing in public, stay off podiums for Ironman Age group or local races. Think about the guy who got 4th at this small race. Wouldn't he have liked to take his award and be proud and show his family members.

I just want to come on to this thread to say that I don't care.