With the apparent increase in use of supplements as human growth hormone, testosterone, HGH, EPO and IGF-1 in sports (particularly cycling) during the last decade, I wonder if their use has managed to leak over to masters events...... including swimming. Seems silly to me that anyone would use hardcore muscle building agents as these in a setting such as masters so late in life. Is it worth implementing drug testing, or does it really matter in the end....... after all its just masters.
John Smith
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I think amoung the nations who have masters swimmers, the USA has a very low percentage of drug/doping users. Over the counter steriods are available in some countries.
But I have seen some USMS swimmers who "could have been" on steroids/EPO/HGH.
When a swimmers suddenly drops 10 seconds per 100 and sets world records, it is suspect. Like Micheal Smith from Ireland, we first give the benefit of doubt.
But I have seen men gain 15-20 pounds of muscle mass in ONE year! Now 5-8 pounds can happen, but even young 18 year olds would have trouble gaining that much. But with declining natural testerone and HGH levels, 20 pounds is VERY doubtfull.
What is daming is the pimples on the back, the even deeper voice, the square jaw.
Even more daming is when they suddenly disappear due to muscles torn off the bone, which can easily happen with steroids.
I have seen many past Olympians coming back through Masters swimming. THere seems to be a three year process. First year they are struggling with the new techniques, the returning to training etc. But they are still making top 10 and perhaps top 5. Pure talent is good to have.
The second year they have more fun, are starting to swim well with the new techniques, and are in the top 3-5 times.
The third year they kick ass.
But I have seen people who come out of no where, break world records with horrible form, and then suddenly dissapear.
Fortunately I do not think I have ever come across a lady that was suspect.
Now those who know Allen Stark, he must be on something to swim so fast!!!
And those who know me must wonder how I can swim fast, and how I could be so good on the underwater.
But truthfully both Allan and myself represent the skinny and fat, and obviously not the buff steroid look.
Technique, technique, technique.:p
Now with Evil and Good Smiths, we should have their Red Bull and Starbucks checked:D
I think amoung the nations who have masters swimmers, the USA has a very low percentage of drug/doping users. Over the counter steriods are available in some countries.
But I have seen some USMS swimmers who "could have been" on steroids/EPO/HGH.
When a swimmers suddenly drops 10 seconds per 100 and sets world records, it is suspect. Like Micheal Smith from Ireland, we first give the benefit of doubt.
But I have seen men gain 15-20 pounds of muscle mass in ONE year! Now 5-8 pounds can happen, but even young 18 year olds would have trouble gaining that much. But with declining natural testerone and HGH levels, 20 pounds is VERY doubtfull.
What is daming is the pimples on the back, the even deeper voice, the square jaw.
Even more daming is when they suddenly disappear due to muscles torn off the bone, which can easily happen with steroids.
I have seen many past Olympians coming back through Masters swimming. THere seems to be a three year process. First year they are struggling with the new techniques, the returning to training etc. But they are still making top 10 and perhaps top 5. Pure talent is good to have.
The second year they have more fun, are starting to swim well with the new techniques, and are in the top 3-5 times.
The third year they kick ass.
But I have seen people who come out of no where, break world records with horrible form, and then suddenly dissapear.
Fortunately I do not think I have ever come across a lady that was suspect.
Now those who know Allen Stark, he must be on something to swim so fast!!!
And those who know me must wonder how I can swim fast, and how I could be so good on the underwater.
But truthfully both Allan and myself represent the skinny and fat, and obviously not the buff steroid look.
Technique, technique, technique.:p
Now with Evil and Good Smiths, we should have their Red Bull and Starbucks checked:D
