AG Doping...is it really a problem?

[Keith Watson]

Interested in TBB's thoughts on this topic. With the new rules just introduced by WTC (at least they lifted the ban on calf coverings) how much of an issue is AG doping and is the process right?

From the sounds of it, pro's are tested pretty regularly although there is some speculation around that so would love to know how it works for you guys as well?

Personally from what I understand, I think they are missing the mark however as it only applies to people who have already qualified for world champs and the testing happens after that. I think if they are going to test they should test all qualifiers who take a spot on the spot. The rationalle here would be they doped to qualify and there is less of a chance that they will dope for the world champs once they have their spot since they know they could be subjected to testing. But who knows.

So interested to see what your thoughts are here. Are you guys tested OOC regularly or right after you win a race (since you are winning lots of races) ? Do you think AG doping is an issue? It seems like our entry fee's are about to go up again.

[BellaBayliss]

It is good news to hear the pro athletes will be out of competition tested, and it sounds like they are going to test at competition more regularly too.
You might be shocked to know that up to this date we dont get out of competition testing.  In my 9 years of being "pro" I have never been tested out of competition.  I wish they would test!!  And therefor I am happy to hear they are going to start.  There are a few people out there that most likly should be caught.

At competition, some races do drug tersting, that is great and we like it when they test.
You might be shocked to hear that in all of the 7 years I have raced Ironman Florida, I have never been drug tested!

For age group, well, I think it is also a good idea.  It is very competitive in the age groups.  Why let it be unfair for the hard working man or woman, who works and trains be beaten by a drug cheat!!!  That is NOT fair!

[Keith Watson]

I am completely surprised by this. Should be interesting to see if the qualifying times start to slow in the ag ranks.

[BellaBayliss]

I dont suppose you will see much change in times in the AG's.  I dont imagine there are many age group athletes on drugs.

[Sugar]

you might be suprised bella! 

shameful really 

[nicola]

They tested 130 AG on a famous mountain marathon in Switzerland back in 1998, just for some studies. There was just one positive drug test, but almost 35% had taken some sort of painkillers... but that was back in 98 and just running, will be interesting to see how it is now in triathlon.

[Matthieu O’Halloran - "M@"]

Age group racing is big buisness, many of them have serious sponsors that makes them earn materialistically and/or a little bit financially from their results. And surely many of them have the dream of leaving their job, to travel and race as a full time pro.

This is just speculations, but imagine a weekend warrior who works at the hospital or pharmacie and can get his hands on various performance enhancing products. And then the idea of selling those a 3 times the price to his training mates might even be an option. All to easy if one is willing to risk.


Very often, age groupers are equaly or much more fanatical than the stereotypical "pro" triathletes, and might have more money to spend.


Theres surely is a logical explamation why WTC wants to spend to test age groupers, they must have had some suspicions and/or complaints about certain results and athletes.


At the end of the day, I think that it really comes down to maintaining the integrity and self-safety of the sport, so that the average joe and jane aren't slowly killing themself physicaly and moraly to win their age group or fufilling a life long dream of going to Kona.


Or maybe they just want to keep the stonners away from their carbo load meals 

[Joseph]

I have been tested 6 times so far this year. 2 times after competition, 4 times unannounced during training. In Germany we have lots of discussion about the doping problematic in sports, the media has a close eye on it and uncovered lots of bad things (especially cycling, horse racing, ice skating, cross country skiing). But this is much different with other countries.

Since the outing of Lisa Hüttaler (Austrian, Olympic triathlon) and Bernhard Kohl (Austrian, Cyclist), I definitively think there really is a doping problem in age groupers as well.

Just that there are tests, is not enough. It can be pro forma tests as well. This year TDF: No positive test - but after the race they found lots of empty packages of doping medication in the teams garbage. 

Kohl had over 200 doping tests in his career, only one positive. Sometimes he injected himself a substance, 2 hours later the doping controller showed up. Result? Negative test!

As long as the tests are in the responsibility of the respective sport organization, they are not real tests. The relative sport organization is always more interested in a "clean" athlete than a negative test.

There has to be a really autonomous organization which does, pays and coordinates the tests, independent from sport organizatioins or race organizers.

Otherwise it will never change.

[Jocelyn Wong - "Wongstar"]

I can't wait for my first drug test!  I will be sure to blog all about it of course 

[doc]

we all have our theories on it .
what we can do about it , is to make sure one has their good reputation stay in tact .
this team in the future hopes to have  an independant company that has a real test , one that wont fit the ioc procedure because it will take away the loop holes , and we will publically on our website post our results on a monthly basis.
for all to see .
lets all concerned that the relevent bodies start to form a coherant policy to go foreward .
one that will have similiar effect across country lines .
that is the key .
if there is will there is a way .
we as a team will support any intiiatives as much as possible .

[Matthieu O’Halloran - "M@"]

Hey even a recreational drug like cocaine, thats readily available to who-ever and where-ever, taken at the right time during a race would guaranty an athlete across the line faster.

And it would for sure appear clear as day, in a post race urine or blood test.

[Keith Watson]

I personally think this is a big issue. With the money people are willing to spend on gadgets and so called free speed toys, drugs would be no different. The pressure to succeed whether internally or outside influence is great in our sport. I have heard of older athetes (50,s +) using anti aging drugs as a means for performance and have a TUE for using them.

When the day comes that I am that close to getting a kona slot will I worry about the guys in front of me. If they want to ruin their bodies with shit go for it. I just may give up my pre-race pizzaand trade it in for some fruit smoothies.  but that is about it. And I will be flattered the day some one knocks on my door for asample ofmy DNA.

Bit no one can argue that the landscape and small time feel of the sport is changing.

[DamienC]

I think it is about time they start testing AGs, although I can't say I'm looking forward to it.  In a decade of international competition, I was tested 17 times (and with no "adverse" findings), 5 of them at races, and 6 each in and out of the competition period.

To the uninformed, it is not a dignified process, so if you are squeemish about being naked, either get over it, or stop competing.  You are naked "from the nipples to the knees" while you have someone watching you very closely as you try and pee into your little vial.  Still something you're looking forward to Wongstar? 

Doping control was first instituted not to prevent people from taking substances to improve their performance, but to prevent athletes from taking substances that affect their health.  I think it is in this vain that WTC is looking to start AG testing, as well as stepping up Pro testing.

Only time will tell if it is effective.

[Kate Pallardy - "run4life"]

I have yet to be tested this year and I race professionally. I guess I would like to see some of that money and energy spent on testing pros. We aren't tested nearly enough. I want them to poke and prod a bit more!

[Ryan]

Matt
I am pretty sure that if you did cocaine before an Ironman your heart would explode!!!  The stuff jacks your heart rate and then you jack it yourself, you would be well over 200 beats 100 meters into the swim.  Is a problem in Baseball, Hockey, boxing, and so forth but your heart rate is no elevated that much while you stand at first base picking your nose and looking into the stands.