Investigation- 2 deaths by Athletics West Runners

Jeff Drenth died in the mid 80's but I didn't know of 2 in the 70's. Please share. It can give me yet another reason to hate Nike and especially Salazar.

I picked up on this yesterday when a friend of mine who now coaches tried to remember who it was. He said that there was a cover up or a complete lack of an investigation. He said that the runners there knew that these runners were blood packing. My dates may be off. He's getting old-as am I. He shares your distain.

Dan Wather wrote:

I picked up on this yesterday when a friend of mine who now coaches tried to remember who it was. He said that there was a cover up or a complete lack of an investigation. He said that the runners there knew that these runners were blood packing. My dates may be off. He's getting old-as am I. He shares your distain.

Outstanding, Dan. You can't come up with names, and furthermore, there was apparently a "cover-up" that prevented the world from learning that these poor nameless souls had perished in the first place. Yep, you belong on this board.

Thank you, thank you very much.

Critstian McKenzie was one. He died in 77 due to 'unknown complications'. He was young and a pretty decent 3.57 miler/7.54 3000m. Your right about the investigation, one was started but stopped again (by Nike) very soon after. Wouldnt surprise me if there was more.

I recall that in Drenth's case the autopsy revealed a congenital (sp?) heart defect that was the cause of death.

Maybe Malmo and Alberto remember some details.

Conspiracy theorists and the Internet: a match made in heaven!

Let's start a new thread: NASA faked the moon landings on Nike's orders because George Bush, Sr. and the Freemasons wanted it that way!

Jeff died in 1986 in the AW headquarters building. He was in the men's room and was found on the floor. It was a complete shock and very sad. He was an optimistic, hard working, fun loving gentle guy. There was no conspiracy. He had a congenital heart defect. Please don't include him in this silly cover up theory.

Since Athletics West started in September of 77 AND there was never a Critstian McKenzie on AW you'd be wrong.

What is your source of information?

guest, I appreciate your plea to keep Jeff D out of any controversy on this thread (or any other). He was a good friend of mine (and a great many others). My son is named after him. May he RIP.

Actually, the burden of proof is on you, Dan. Please enlighten us with your vast mountain of evidence that has been painstakingly uncovered over time at great risk to you and your family. You brought the accusation up, now show us YOUR proof.

Port,

Remind me please, what was the accusation?

You're welcome. He was a dear friend of mine and I miss him still.

Artichoke wrote:

Critstian McKenzie was one. He died in 77 due to 'unknown complications'. He was young and a pretty decent 3.57 miler/7.54 3000m. Your right about the investigation, one was started but stopped again (by Nike) very soon after. Wouldnt surprise me if there was more.

Yes there are more. Next to a Seneca Sawmill log deck, buried in shallow graves are over thirty bodies. Autopsies will reveal that these thirty are fabrications of a fertile mind, just as the aforementioned "Cristian McKenzie" is.

The are conspiracy theories and there is reality.

Back to reality. When Drenth died, while no one would say so publicly, the talk on the street was "was he or wasn't he?" Whether Drenth was or wasn't I don't know and I don't care. He died too early and that's a shame.

As far as speculation goes, was it coincidental that two months after Drenth's death AW abruptly and without warning closed down shop? Could be. Is it coincidence that over 7 years of "sports science data" was collected with National and World-Class athletes as the subjects had disappeared? Could be. Hard to believe this treasure trove of scientific data was collected, yet nary a paper was written, no data was shared, and nothing was put out for peer review? Hmmmm. That, my Portlandrunner friend, is a valid speculation.

Have you ever read "Swoosh"? No one has ever challenged the veracity of Ms. Strasser, have they? Do you find it just coincidental that none of the inside players (Dick Brown, Doug Brown, Jeff Johnson, Harry Johnson, Bob Sevene and others) ever talk openly about AW? When they do talk they are very careful about what they say, aren't they? What could have been the template for club support in this country is little more than an asterisk and whispers.

Now, today, the Hansens are the model to be copied. Good for them.

Malmo-

I actually heard the bodies were buried in Rich Phaigh's back yard. Any truth to that rumor?

Wow, a little anger from mm, whoever you are. Can't take a joke? And such a fine use of the English Language. I can tell you have brains you haven't even used yet!

Jeff was an unbelievable guy. He was also very trusting and rather naive. He grew up in a small town in Northern Michigan with excellent family values. I knew Jeff very well back in the day. He is another reason why I hate Nike. Malmo is correct there is deserved speculation. I don't believe that Jeff would have ever taken something knowingly. I do however, believe that performance enhancing drugs may have killed him.

Scotth, I would be proud to name my son after Jeff as I believe that he was as honest as the day is long. He was the perfect victim for Nike. Look at the guys in the current Nike Oregon Project, nice, wholesome, honest, TRUSTING. I think that going to run for a Nike experimental project is unbelievably naive, no matter how honest the athlete.