Yes, I know of one in particular. I won't name him nor the fact that he previously swam in NC and then moved to Texas but after he was taken to the woodshed he claimed he was actually 10 years older in an attempt to reclaim some dignity. I also know this "swimmer" exceeds WADA and USADA levels of caffeine by a factor of 10 on a regular basis.
I only swam in NC during convention a couple of years back but never moved to Texas. Only swam in Texas this year at Nat's. I am guilty of the caffeine charge, perhaps.
Should we ask this question again? and again? and again? and again?
...and if we don't like the answer should we ask the question again? and again? and again?
...and if someone in the swimming world tests positive for a PED, should we ask the question again? and again? and again?
(honestly!)
:violin: :dedhorse: :notworking:
Short answer - No - at least not paid for by USMS. For same reason as poster above. It would totally irk me to know part of my $37 be allocated for someone else's drug testing.
Agreed. It is impossible to cheat anyone but yourself in masters swimming and a test would only confirm what the offending individual already knew.
Not so sure about that. Highly successful masters swimmers (granted very, very few) are now able to make a decent living off clinics, dvd's and private lessons/coaching. If part of the draw to these individuals are their records and accomplishments in the sport then if there is PED use going on I'd have a problem with it...heck i have a problem with it regardless.
I'd love to see something similar to what the Garmin-Chipolte cycling team has in place...basically a volunteer testing program. The doc from UCLA advocated the same thing years back...a "team clean" approach if you will which in a way would put pressure on athletes not participating to do so or be questioned.
Should USMS require record breakers to
do drug testing for their records to count?
Oh that would be fun! Just don't pass the expense on to me via meet fees or subs. It could go the 2 league approach like Mr. Smith said before high fees and prize purses for the real stars and leave us amateurs alone.
I'd have no interest in this. I could really care less what adults do. As I like to say on kick sets that I avoid, "It's Masters swimming."
Agreed. It is impossible to cheat anyone but yourself in masters swimming and a test would only confirm what the offending individual already knew.
Has anyone in masters swimming ever been busted for lying about their age? You have to have a birth certificate on file for records, but for top tens or even registering, I don't recall having to show proof of age.
Yes. Years ago there was someone who actually went so far as to alter his/her birth certificate to make himself/herself a year older. This allowed the swimmer to "age up" a year sooner, to set records in the new age group before his/her competition had a chance.
Does anyone know how masters track and field does their testing?
Without having given it much thought, I'd be in favor of the testing if it's not too cumbersome or expensive.
The interesting issue would involve individuals taking certain banned medications for legitimate therapuetic reasons. My initial opinion on this is that the records should not count regardless of the reasons for taking the drug.
Rich
