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
Personal pride isn't the only motivation for the athletes involved in doping offenses. There's big money involved in elite sports -- it's not about just being the best. This, unfortunately, is a powerful incentive to cheat. The saddest thing is that the distorted incentives have seeped down to college and even high school sports, so we have kids doing lasting damage to themselves.
I agree that masters swimming is probably the cleanest of all sports because we do compete purely for personal pride. Any masters swimmer who used drugs (without a genuine medical need) would only be cheating himself.
Personal pride isn't the only motivation for the athletes involved in doping offenses. There's big money involved in elite sports -- it's not about just being the best. This, unfortunately, is a powerful incentive to cheat. The saddest thing is that the distorted incentives have seeped down to college and even high school sports, so we have kids doing lasting damage to themselves.
I agree that masters swimming is probably the cleanest of all sports because we do compete purely for personal pride. Any masters swimmer who used drugs (without a genuine medical need) would only be cheating himself.
