In 1988, after Carl Lewis was awarded the gold medal in the 100M dash when Ben Johnson tested positive for steroids, (I believe it was) Lewis stated that he was not really that surprised because he just didn't think that it was humanly possible to run the 100m in 9.79 (Johnson's winning time).
In the past 3 years, 2 american’s have euqaled or surpassed that time.
In today’s Houston Chronicle there is a tiny article (which is a true disappointment considering the magnitude of the accusations) that reads as follows:
According to Terry Madden, the chief executive of the US anti-doping agency: "What we have unconverted appears to be intentional doping of the worst sort (...) this is a conspiracy involving chemists, coaches and certain athletes using what they developed to be undetectable designer steroids to defraud their fellow competitors and the American and world public"
The drug in question is known as THG and though no athletes were named, it appears that several prominent athletes are a party to this.
I also know for a FACT, that some elite swimmers know of the drug, and believe it is undetectable.
*** This is in no way intimating that any specific athlete has or is using the substance.
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Former Member
I do not know of any one in Masters that has or is taking any performance enhancing drugs. Except for lots of Advil . . .
but isn't that a performance enhancing drug?
Anyway, I can easily imagine that there are Masters swimmers out there that are taking steroids and other drugs. The motive is certainly there. Here are a few motives, many delusional, but often real in the athletes mind:
A swimmer sees performance degrading with age, and doesn't like it. Despite working harder than everyone else, the times are just not good enough, and it is unfair that so-and-so is born taller, bigger, or with a better cardiovasucular system; so-and-so doesn't deserve it because so-and-so is lazier. Its not my fault I can't recover from my hard workouts quick enough - this stuff will help be feel better by tomorrow, and I can do it again. I prove my superiority by working harder than everyone else. Everyone else is doing it. Nobody really cares how anyone places in this hobby - there is no fame or money in it, so who gets really hurt? I already spend so much money going to meets, why waste my time if I don't do everything possible to make myself faster. Winning will help justify the trip to my spouse, and I need the meets to keep working out and staying healthy. I am already wrecking my shoulder by swimming, how can a few pills make things worse? These pills actually help my shoulder recover more quickly! It is not as if I will have any more children, anyway. My work, family, is such a dead end - swimming is the one thing that makes my life fun, so it is worth it. Obviously no one cares, because no one checks.
With all of the doctors and incomes in Masters swimming, the means are certainly there.
I do not know of any one in Masters that has or is taking any performance enhancing drugs. Except for lots of Advil . . .
but isn't that a performance enhancing drug?
Anyway, I can easily imagine that there are Masters swimmers out there that are taking steroids and other drugs. The motive is certainly there. Here are a few motives, many delusional, but often real in the athletes mind:
A swimmer sees performance degrading with age, and doesn't like it. Despite working harder than everyone else, the times are just not good enough, and it is unfair that so-and-so is born taller, bigger, or with a better cardiovasucular system; so-and-so doesn't deserve it because so-and-so is lazier. Its not my fault I can't recover from my hard workouts quick enough - this stuff will help be feel better by tomorrow, and I can do it again. I prove my superiority by working harder than everyone else. Everyone else is doing it. Nobody really cares how anyone places in this hobby - there is no fame or money in it, so who gets really hurt? I already spend so much money going to meets, why waste my time if I don't do everything possible to make myself faster. Winning will help justify the trip to my spouse, and I need the meets to keep working out and staying healthy. I am already wrecking my shoulder by swimming, how can a few pills make things worse? These pills actually help my shoulder recover more quickly! It is not as if I will have any more children, anyway. My work, family, is such a dead end - swimming is the one thing that makes my life fun, so it is worth it. Obviously no one cares, because no one checks.
With all of the doctors and incomes in Masters swimming, the means are certainly there.
