I recently heard that a woman swimmer, unnamed, on the elite level, has been known to spit in her opponent's lane before a sprint race.
Is this just ill-mannered pscyhing or something more sinister? I read on one of Gary Hall Jr.'s race club blogs that this might be a technique for getting a competitor to test positive for steroids or other drugs.
This has a somewhat Urban Legend quality to it that causes my spider sense to tingle. Nevertheless, I am wondering if the more knowledgable folks on the forum might have an explanation for the strategic use of spittle.
I believe it was Amy Van Dyken (actually went to my high school--Cherry Creek H.S. in Colorado--affectionately referred to as "America's High School") who was fond of spitting in people's lane. Agree--funny but kinda gross (Don't like to see women spitting or pooping--I'm kinda Victorian that way).
I also believe it was the 2000 Olympics that she had her ass handed to her each time she did it by Inge de Bruijn the Dutch swimmer.
I doubt it would make you positive for steroids (even if you choked and aspirated the entire pool) but I wouldn't be surprised if both of them tested positive.
I believe it was Amy Van Dyken (actually went to my high school--Cherry Creek H.S. in Colorado--affectionately referred to as "America's High School") who was fond of spitting in people's lane. Agree--funny but kinda gross (Don't like to see women spitting or pooping--I'm kinda Victorian that way).
I also believe it was the 2000 Olympics that she had her ass handed to her each time she did it by Inge de Bruijn the Dutch swimmer.
I doubt it would make you positive for steroids (even if you choked and aspirated the entire pool) but I wouldn't be surprised if both of them tested positive.
