Here is a link that talks about the current drug-usage issue in Track & Field and contrasts it with U.S. swimmers' relatively clean image. It's is a bit of a fluff piece, and some of it seems doubtful, but it is something to chew on.
www.sfgate.com/.../article.cgi
-LBJ
Parents
Former Member
Although the money issue is a big factor, I think that there is another reason: Namely, that swimmers tend to peak earlier and that the chain of control of a swimmer's career is different than in track. What I mean is this: Many (but not all and I recognize that this is shifting) swimmers are done with their competitive careers by the time that they are out of college. This means that in order to obtain drugs in their peak years they must have: 1) A serious money source (e.g. HGH can run $1000/month - "Hey dad, can I have the keys to the car and $1000 for gas?") and 2) Someone to help them beat the collegiate drug testing program since this is no trivial matter. Unless you are independently wealthy at a young age, your access/help is limited. Also, the average college swim coach doesn't have the incentive to risk a (relatively) good job since, short of being an Olympic coach, they are near the top of the food chain. Note that collegiate track and field has had relatively few drug "busts" as well.
Once it becomes sport at the open (post-collegiate, professional) level in track, which is when runners START peaking, you are dealing with adults who: 1) Can -maybe - keep a secret 2) Have money, or at least have the potential to make some money and can find some weasel to help them.
The author was right in that Swimming (and Gymnastics - ACK!) may be the signature pieces of this Olympics instead of T&F. Thank Goodness that Ian Thorpe is swimming the 400 .
-LBJ
Although the money issue is a big factor, I think that there is another reason: Namely, that swimmers tend to peak earlier and that the chain of control of a swimmer's career is different than in track. What I mean is this: Many (but not all and I recognize that this is shifting) swimmers are done with their competitive careers by the time that they are out of college. This means that in order to obtain drugs in their peak years they must have: 1) A serious money source (e.g. HGH can run $1000/month - "Hey dad, can I have the keys to the car and $1000 for gas?") and 2) Someone to help them beat the collegiate drug testing program since this is no trivial matter. Unless you are independently wealthy at a young age, your access/help is limited. Also, the average college swim coach doesn't have the incentive to risk a (relatively) good job since, short of being an Olympic coach, they are near the top of the food chain. Note that collegiate track and field has had relatively few drug "busts" as well.
Once it becomes sport at the open (post-collegiate, professional) level in track, which is when runners START peaking, you are dealing with adults who: 1) Can -maybe - keep a secret 2) Have money, or at least have the potential to make some money and can find some weasel to help them.
The author was right in that Swimming (and Gymnastics - ACK!) may be the signature pieces of this Olympics instead of T&F. Thank Goodness that Ian Thorpe is swimming the 400 .
-LBJ
