Should USMS require record breakers to do drug testing? ...

It's just masters swimming. John Smith its just something i spend 12 hrs a week doing...not including travel time, coaching, swim meets, open water events, clinics, etc etc. mr smith, if you really feel that way, why bother swimming at all at your age.

This really is not an accurate statement but keeps appearing on this forum. i am not an expert on banned substances by any means because...i just don't care that much about it, but i was under the impression that the list of substances that one could test "positive" for was extensive and that many could be found in over the counter medications as well as nutritional supplements. is this incorrect?

Asked by Rich, Does anyone know how masters track and field does their testing? Masters track program is under USATF and follows all rules and guidlines set forth by IAAF. For records a sample is supposed to be taken for doping control in accordance with IAAF....bla bla. In here somewhere: www.usatf.org/.../2008GovernanceManual_Section5.pdf Not witnessing any records, I honestly don't know if it is enforced. I would suspect yes it is. As far as random tests, I was around masters track a while and don't recall anyone being tested randomly. What's the point? There is no money or potential money surrounding the sport. I can tell you the get real picky about verifying age at the bigger meets, unfortunate problem for some foreigners born runners with sketchy documentation. As far as if masters runners are taking?....You never know.

Jeez - better ditch the medical marijuana! Not quite sure this qualifies as "performance enhancing", but you might end up with a DEA agent standing over you at the end of the lane instead of a timer! "Duuuuuuuuuuuuude, you like totally DQ'd bro.. righteous!!"

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. This would mean that anyone legitimately taking a drug would need to obtain a TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption), and I'm sure the governing bodies wouldn't want the admin nightmare of thousands of Masters swimmers applying for TUEs. In the older age groups, there must be a high percentage of Masters swimmers who are using banned substances for legitimate medical reasons.

The interesting issue would involve individuals taking certain banned medications for legitimate therapuetic reasons. If we did require testing, then the burden of proof would be on the swimmer to provide the documentation of their need for the drugs. The only problem here is that if you try hard enough, you can find someone with a medical license who will be willing to prescribe the meds you "need." There are plenty of USMS members whose swimming careers are very important to them, and I would not be surprised if there are a few of them got some illegitimate assistance in taking their swimming to the next level.

If there is doping in Masters Swimming, I doubt it would be just the "elite" or WR breakers who were culprits. I'm amazed at how serious ALL levels of master swimmers take themselves and their sport. If you just tested the Top 10 as AZ Tim suggested, I don't think it would be worth the time or money. My fear is that USMS will become a Gestapo and start regulating Performance Deteriorating Drugs such as pizza, wine, and copious amounts of draft beer. I would hate to have to have to quit the sport because of it. And no, Paul Smith. John Smith beat you in the 50 because he was faster than you. Do the math.

If there is doping in Masters Swimming, I doubt it would be just the "elite" or WR breakers who were culprits. I'm amazed at how serious ALL levels of master swimmers take themselves and their sport. I like this thought. Taking it a bit further. . . If I were a doping lower level masters swimmer, I would fire my pharmacist/ dope provider and look for a new one.

There are plenty of dopers swimming masters and a few dopes. I did not mention any names.

There are no users....only victims being accused/attacked by evil people on discussion forums. I must admit this one is a good'un *zing*