Masters Swimming and Illegal Supplements

Originally posted by nkfrench I bet that many Masters swimmers are taking substances that are on the USADA list. It's suprising what is listed. Over the counter cold meds, dietary supplements, diet aids, diuretics and headache remedies often contain banned substances. Some blood pressure meds and some drugs for menopause symptoms are banned. I bet some Masters swimmers drink a lot of coffee before meets - warmup in a cup. So what about these caffeine induced ginseng laced pep drinks? Or for that matter an espresso? These products are flooded in the teen/rapper music market -or via your local coffee shop Thanks Starbucks! These energy drinks would personally shoot me into outerspace. If it's available to the general market then it's OK to use? Do we show our receipts from GNC to the officials along with our heat sheets? It seems like we are expecting a personal responsibility from everyone to be playing on the same level. A.K.A. good sportsmanship? The code of swimmers? Basic athletic standards? Got me. If one looks at a morning cup of coffee as performance enhancing Vs. necessary to function then how are we to address this or do we?

Originally posted by nkfrench I bet that many Masters swimmers are taking substances that are on the USADA list. It's suprising what is listed. Over the counter cold meds, dietary supplements, diet aids, diuretics and headache remedies often contain banned substances. Some blood pressure meds and some drugs for menopause symptoms are banned. I bet some Masters swimmers drink a lot of coffee before meets - warmup in a cup. So what about these caffeine induced ginseng laced pep drinks? Or for that matter an espresso? These products are flooded in the teen/rapper music market -or via your local coffee shop Thanks Starbucks! These energy drinks would personally shoot me into outerspace. If it's available to the general market then it's OK to use? Do we show our receipts from GNC to the officials along with our heat sheets? It seems like we are expecting a personal responsibility from everyone to be playing on the same level. A.K.A. good sportsmanship? The code of swimmers? Basic athletic standards? Got me. If one looks at a morning cup of coffee as performance enhancing Vs. necessary to function then how are we to address this or do we?