Doping and Athletes

[jdobbin]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/more...ex.html?cnn=yes

Tour de France champion Floyd Landis has a few explanations why his testosterone is high. First explanation is that he was on approved medication. Second was that he has naturally high levels of testosterone.

His count was 11 to 1 when 1 to 1 or 2 to 1 is the acceptable level.

We've gone through this before in Canada. Usually it is the athlete lying through their teeth. In only a few cases that I know of has it been the result of medication taken incorrectly or supplements not having proper labels on their contents. However, in all cases the result was the same: a voiding of the results and suspension.

What do people think of doping and athletic competitions?

[Guest Warwick Green]

What do people think of doping and athletic competitions?

It's been around a long time and I don't see it going away. There's big bucks to be made in sports and a huge incentive to win. There will always be new drugs availabe to increase performance even more than before and the WADA crowd will have to continue to be vigilant in developing new testing techniques.

[jdobbin]

It's been around a long time and I don't see it going away. There's big bucks to be made in sports and a huge incentive to win. There will always be new drugs availabe to increase performance even more than before and the WADA crowd will have to continue to be vigilant in developing new testing techniques.

Do you think that somehow Landis is going to be able to retain the title?

[Wilber]

If the B test comes in the same, I don't see how he could. The limit is 4 to 1 which is already 2 to 4 times what is normal. He tested at nearly 3 times that limit.

Some people will always be looking for a way to cheat. Drugs are just another method. It may be an uphill battle but we need to stick up for those who don't want to cheat.

[Guest Warwick Green]

I read in the paper this morning that positive testosterone tests are usually overturned on appeal unless there is evidence that the drug was taken artificially since it is also created by the body naturally. I find it hard to believe that Landis would have taken anything illegal during the Tour de France. He would know he would get caught.

[jdobbin]

I read in the paper this morning that positive testosterone tests are usually overturned on appeal unless there is evidence that the drug was taken artificially since it is also created by the body naturally. I find it hard to believe that Landis would have taken anything illegal during the Tour de France. He would know he would get caught.

This is what people thought about Ben Jonhson as well.

I hope for his sake that the first result was incorrect. But apparently experts in doping just roll their eyes when asked if an 11 to 1 ratio could be natural.

[FTA Lawyer]

I read in the paper this morning that positive testosterone tests are usually overturned on appeal unless there is evidence that the drug was taken artificially since it is also created by the body naturally. I find it hard to believe that Landis would have taken anything illegal during the Tour de France. He would know he would get caught.

I know a guy who scored probably 50 goals in his hockey career kicking or throwing the puck in the net (and even sometimes just throwing his arms in the air and cheering when there was a scramble on the goal line). Referee was standing right there, goal was clearly illegal (or not even across the line), but somehow in the frenzy it would get counted.

There is incredible pressure to perform and incredible incentive to win...there are lots of people who would roll the dice even if there was only a one in a million chance that they would get away with it.

FTA

[geoffrey]

There is some major problems especially in the cycling community when it comes to doping. Firstly, almost all of them do to some extent, the grand tours are massive tests of strength and endurance and sadly, people battling against drug users need to use them to compete.

Second, Landis isn't guilty until B sample comes back, let's leave judgements until then. Personally, I find it unbelievable. Watching Stage 17 I just couldn't believe his attacks, and not even from a climbing specialist. Especially not absolutely tanking the stage before.

The team concept in cycling is super important. Riders are freakin expensive, and prize money isn't that hot (it's good, but not that good). That's why teams have sprinters, they never win tours, but they win the prize money on the intermediate sprints... it's actually that tight for cash at times. If the coach wants you to drug to win, you take the drugs, or get booted from the team. I wouldn't put it past the Phonak coach to confront Landis about his performance, hand him the syringe and tell him he needs to win the next stage.

If you remember, the two favourites, Ivan Basso and one of my personal favourites Jan Ulrich were suspended for being on a list of names that talked to a doctor that had blood in his freezer. This is far more damning evidence, so I'd say he gets the boot (if guilty!!) considering either Basso or Ulrich would have likely won if allowed to compete.

Here's a conspiracy theory for you. controversy' in Spain takes out two top contenders. Spanish kid finishes second place. 'Drug Test Failed' leads the news... allowing the Spanish kid to win. Not saying there is truth, and I can promise I won't back up these claims because I don't believe they are true... just giving ammo to the tin foilers.