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 have spent two days researching this topic in light of the recent events (boy, the internet makes things easier): first, I'll reiterate that I don't think that anyone is proposing testing masters swimmers, second, I think the actual percentage of masters swimmers using illegal drugs is miniscule- but that there are a fair number that I have met that rush to embrace any 'legal' performance-enhancing potion that claims results (and I'm not talking nutritive milkshakes)- so they should clearly understand that it is a stupid thing to do.
What is more alarming, and I am speaking as a fan now, is that there is a great deal of evidence that in the big money sports which for some seems to include open international swimming, the cheats are going to stay two steps ahead of the testing & this is just using sophisticated masking agents. What happens when we start to have both genetic tinkering to enhance future performance (the East Germans would have used it in a flash) & tame-viral work on our own cellular structure to enhance function?
Again, as a fan, it dulls my interest & is a damn shame. It seems that it will cost zillions for sports to try & keep up with this & probably futile. Any thoughts?
I have spent two days researching this topic in light of the recent events (boy, the internet makes things easier): first, I'll reiterate that I don't think that anyone is proposing testing masters swimmers, second, I think the actual percentage of masters swimmers using illegal drugs is miniscule- but that there are a fair number that I have met that rush to embrace any 'legal' performance-enhancing potion that claims results (and I'm not talking nutritive milkshakes)- so they should clearly understand that it is a stupid thing to do.
What is more alarming, and I am speaking as a fan now, is that there is a great deal of evidence that in the big money sports which for some seems to include open international swimming, the cheats are going to stay two steps ahead of the testing & this is just using sophisticated masking agents. What happens when we start to have both genetic tinkering to enhance future performance (the East Germans would have used it in a flash) & tame-viral work on our own cellular structure to enhance function?
Again, as a fan, it dulls my interest & is a damn shame. It seems that it will cost zillions for sports to try & keep up with this & probably futile. Any thoughts?
