A Way to End the Drug Controversy

gntlmn

It's pretty hard to measure the effects of performance enhancing drugs on a rider's performance given that it would at least result in suspension for athletes to use them in sporting events. So who knows how much it helps, but I have a feeling EPO can make a big difference in cycling. It also can result in death if used to excess.

That's the main reason I like to see the continued testing and zero tolerance for drugs. It's too easy to overdo them once they accept them.

The performance enhancing effects probably depend on the athlete. Maybe with some it makes a big difference, and with others, maybe not much. It seems that Virenque is still a great climber even though he is no longer doping. I bet he himself is relieved that that is the case. Ben Johnson, on the other hand, never returned to the form he was in the 1988 Olympics, when he was stripped of the gold medal in the 100 meter dash for testing positive for steroids.

DeRosa_AV

The TDF is the biggest 'annual' sporting event. I think the world cup and olympics are bigger but they only come around every 4 years.

markwill

Ah ha - we're perhaps talking on cross purposes. The original statement was:

"The Tour is the most publicized sporting event in the world."

I took this to be a reference to be the degree to which the event is "marketed", TV viewership, etc, etc. It seems you are focused on how large the crowds are at the various events. I have no way of knowing which is largest but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the total number for any one stage was huge, simply because it's very long :-) So, yes, by your definition I'd accept your points (although I think that's different to the degree to which an event is "publicized").

Thanks.

Mark

gntlmn

Actually when these news people brag about the popularity of the Tour, they add the live spectators to the TV spectators. They say that the combined total and the number of various news agencies covering the event dwarfs the other athletic competitions. Remember this is one race held over a period of about 3 weeks, each day adding to the total.

limerickman

I think the suggestion of taking samples is a step in the right direction but I think there needs to be a concerted attack on the use of drugs in cycling.
Paula Radcliffe and Ian Thorpe have both given blood samples to the running and swimming authorities respectively and have told their governing bodies that they can retain those samples indefinitely.
They have done this so as to prove that not only are they not taking drugs but to also prove that, at any point in the future, the authorities can test for substances which they cannot test for at present.
I think that a similar approach needs to be taken in cycling.
I would also advocate the instant dismissal of Hein Verbruggen and the UCI.
This delusional organization have singularly failed to stop the drug epidemic in our sport.
I would go so far as to suggest that Verbruggen has deliberately allowed the drugs issue to go unchecked – so he needs to be dismissed.

Legislation needs to be enacted whereby all new professionals be required to give samples as outlined above, perhaps twice per year.
Legislation needs to be enacted that if a cyclist is caught with drugs that he is banned FOR LIFE WITH NO REPRIEVE, following a thorough due process and that his record as a professional be scrubbed for ever.
Legislation also needs to be enacted so that any prize money won by a cyclist in his entire career, who has subsequently been found to have taken drugs, require him to repay that prize money on being found guilty of doping.

This draconian legislation would, in my opinion, clean up this sport and make it credible.

Perro Loco

a little info about the new blood test

Epo has effects (increased hematocrit) for ~ 3 weeks.
It is only detectable for < 96 hours after last use.
However indirect measuremnts can be suggestive for ~30 days. The tour (and Giro) is now using these parameters
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2004/jun04/jun29news
basicly-Stimulation Index = hemaglobin (in g/L) - 60 x square root of reticulocytes (in %). The limit is 133.
It's main problem is people at recent altitude may have a false positive.
Haematologica. 2001 Feb;86(2):128-37.
Haematologica. 2003 Sep;88(9):1053-62.

This formula has been available for a couple of years and I suspect the UCI/Tour has kept its' eye on riders whose counts looked suspicious or whose hematocrit rose during a 3 wee race ala Rumsas(it actualy declines for several reasons) and targets them for more frequent testing and or passes the info along to authorities. Both the head of the UCI and leblanc have expressed support of Armstrong. While they may not wish to have the sport further damaged (the cynical view) or it may actualy mean something as I suspect they have a good idea of uses Epo regularly- People with rising hematocrits, increased retics (young RBCs), people who rcan't be found for out of competition drug tests- etc.

antoineg

gntlmn, are you aware of the various methods documented to circumvent doping tests in cycling? Such as Manzano's comments?

http://www.active.com/story.cfm?sto...ategory=cycling


What makes you so sure he is not still doping? He has continued to be hailed by the French as a national hero even after his positives. What possible reason would he have NOT to continue doping, given the "big difference" it makes?

mocka58

I'm sure many people will say I'm cynical but I don't believe it is a problem that can ever be solved. The biggest problem I have with the current situation is the crucifixion of riders who are caught or under suspicion when there is obviously a widespread culture of accepted, systematic doping in the sport. I think it would be naive to believe that this is not the case. There have always been ways to get around drug tests and it is no different today. Does anyone have any thoughts on legal doping? Take the stuff by all means but declare it and have a doctor administer and monitor it.
I once read a quote by a rider who said 'if they took drugs out of the sport the same guys would still win, they would just go five km/h slower".

tinajoy

I AM PRETTY SURE THAT ALL PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES USE DOPIING PRODUCTS. The fact that they are punished for doing so...just makes them cover it up more. I think it would be better if we just allowed them to be truthful. Let everyone decide for themselves if they want to take the risks of drug use.

When I first started working out I was naive enough to think I was going to achieve the results of the pros......I used to get frustrated that I couldn't get their results. The average person has a job and a family and a lawn to mow. Where as the Athletes at the top have nothing else to worry about but getting better at their sport. Not to mention that they have teams of experts in all fields behind them with all the latest information and training info.

gntlmn

Kelme was kept out of this year's Tour de France. They were not allowed to ride in it.

Virenque, I agree, should have been sacked when he was found to be doping and not allowed to return.

That I think he's not doping is because I have no reason to believe he is. There is no indication of it--no evidence.

gntlmn

That sounds like a good idea. I don't think they would recover any money, but the disgraced riders would be laying low for the rest of their lives anyway, like OJ Simpson is doing in Florida. He didn't cough up any of that some $30 million or so he was supposed to pay.