Tie - men's 100 free IL state meet - 44.24

Vlad has been drug tested recently and has been proven clean. Please do not blast anyone until you get the facts straight. He is a great coach and talented swimmer. Why would he be drug tested ??? Facts ? -- the fact is that he was caught and banned for 2 years. The fact is that he could not even be honest about it and made up some crazy story. Just because somebody is a nice guy, that does not make it right. He went to the Olympics and won medals by cheating -- you have to kidding me. Do you really believe the cake story ??? People like you enable the cheaters to get away with it.

What age group?

The fact is he was caught and punished by the people that mete out punishments. He served his time for the crime. People like you enable the cheaters to get away with it. People like you make me shake my head.

It is a fair point that Ehoch makes, but at the same time he did serve a suspension for what he did there isn't really anything else for him to do. Lifetime ban? I guess I can buy into that, but that sure as heck shouldn't preclude him from swimming Masters.

Of course you can't preclude him from Masters -- but I don't buy that he served his "time". Ask yourself this - do you believe he was clean when winning multiple Olympic medals ? He still has his medals and now coaches kids -- he got caught late in his career and it really made no difference on his swimming. The rules are clear, but that does not mean we have to like them --- yes - lifetime ban on intentional use is the only way to go PLUS taking all past medals away.

Seriously I give you credit for not being two faced about this... I agree with ehoch. No matter what a great guy Vlad is now, and I don't doubt it, the cake story is a crock.

I am sure he is a nice guy and all - but I have a zero tolerance for doping + a lifetime ban ... Vlad and his wife Natalia Mesheryakova tested positive for anabolic steroids in 1997. They and another Russian swimmer claimed they were tricked into eating a cake laced with steroids, but their claims were rejected by the International Doping Agency. All three received a two year suspension from FINA competitions. I don't know the cake story you are referring to but, being duped by a coach is plausible. After all, Mr. Madoff duped a large number of very smart people with large aspirations. It's human nature to put faith in other people who are perceived to be experts at what they do

But actually, I was referring to adult age-group athletes since this is a masters forum. The confusion is because the term "age group swimming" generally refers to swimmers under the age of 19. But I get your point and Ithink you are right. There is "cheating" in Masters swimming. This discussion was brought up once before and a couple of people, myself included, think that if you want to use steroids and swim master, go right ahead. It is only yourself that you are cheating. Stupid is as stupid does.

As the saying goes, "once a cheater, always a cheater". My Judeo-Christian ethics think that statement is a complete falsity.

Hey guys! It is really interesting to read about yourself in the forums like this! I've learned a lot about my past here! NICE!!! If you were swimmers at any level higher then Junior Varsity in High School, then you would know that anti doping agency constantly testing you! Just at 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona - I was tested 4 or 5 times (almost after each race) 96 Olympics in Atlanta same thing... JimRude said: “As the saying goes, "once a cheater, always a cheater". IMHO 2 years is not enough. Lifetime ban for knowingly cheating/doping...” Jim, are you saying this based on you own experience??? Because after that story in 1997 I’m afraid to take AllegraD (I have huge allergies…especially during the summer), but I heave to deal with runny nose and itchy eyes without all those Antihistamine things :( And BTW White Buffalo – I’m American Citizen (and I’m proud of it)…I can not trust the country that I grow up at and swam for!!! I’m working out 7 days a week now! Running every day 5 miles + lifting weights + swimming! I feel…and I think that I look better then at age 20! I swim not only masters meets…I swim all the USA swimming meets too :) I like it! I’m not going to Clovis! I would LOVE to, but we already made plans to go on vacation next week…so, there is no point for me to go to the meet and swim poorly after the vacation :) I'm also want to go to Masters World Championship next year (I'll turn 40 and can swim 40-45 age group)