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.
You guys certainly have put a lot more thought into my thoughts than I thought was possible.
No one has ever said that chronic abuse of steroids is acceptable, any more than downing a 12 pack every night is acceptable. Wait, alcohol and steroids are both legal, even if abused, so both might be acceptable. Forget that argument.
I have yet to see a convincing argument in this forum on how this is impacting Masters Swimming. It's not in the least.
I read over and over the slippery slope arguments how if we allow one to use steroids we will all become junked up uber swimmers and then society melts down. That might have been the argument for prohibition but we didn't all turn into drunks when it was repealed. Instead, we gradually became big fat lazy people who drink a lot. So, I'm still not sure of the fuss. If I want to take steroids, back off, I have good health insurance for when I grow fantastic man breasts and need them reduced.
So, let's just move on. We aren't going to convince each other. When The Man shows up at my door for the urine test cause I finally swam halfway fast, I'll have you to thank I guess. In the meantime, I'm going to chew on a bag of pine bark cause I hear that helps you swim faster.
You guys certainly have put a lot more thought into my thoughts than I thought was possible.
No one has ever said that chronic abuse of steroids is acceptable, any more than downing a 12 pack every night is acceptable. Wait, alcohol and steroids are both legal, even if abused, so both might be acceptable. Forget that argument.
I have yet to see a convincing argument in this forum on how this is impacting Masters Swimming. It's not in the least.
I read over and over the slippery slope arguments how if we allow one to use steroids we will all become junked up uber swimmers and then society melts down. That might have been the argument for prohibition but we didn't all turn into drunks when it was repealed. Instead, we gradually became big fat lazy people who drink a lot. So, I'm still not sure of the fuss. If I want to take steroids, back off, I have good health insurance for when I grow fantastic man breasts and need them reduced.
So, let's just move on. We aren't going to convince each other. When The Man shows up at my door for the urine test cause I finally swam halfway fast, I'll have you to thank I guess. In the meantime, I'm going to chew on a bag of pine bark cause I hear that helps you swim faster.
