March 17, 2005

4 responses to Powerlifting as a drug-free raw Olympic sport??!

1. Alberto Caraballo Says:
   March 23rd, 2005 at 6:21 pm

   It’s weird. It seems as it is illegal to sell it without a prescription or distribute it commercially, and if you use it and get caught there’s no penalty as long as it isn’t a sports testing body that catches you. Of course, there’s a way around everything and pro athletes will always find it. What’s sad, as highlighted by that dad in the Congressional Hearings who lost his kid to a steroid induced depression, is that young athletes now think of steroids and “sports dope” as a requirement for sports success, almost more critical than skill. I think as a coach for youth sports, and considering how fragile kids mind’s are, whoever told him he should bulk up but did not tell or demonstrate to him how while being mindful of that should have been fired.

2. Kris Says:
   March 24th, 2005 at 8:27 am

   >> if you use it and get caught there’s no penalty as long as it isn’t a sports testing body that catches you <<

   Right. To me there appears to be a larger paradox at play as well:
   - if you get caught by a sports testing body, you’ll get a suspension together with a nice public announcement
   - if you get caught by the police in the act of purchasing anabolics or trying to get them into the country you can count on appearing before a judge

   You’d think that the police would be highly interested in an athlete who has tested positive in a doping test for an illegal substance. Likewise, one would think being sentenced for steroid possession would be enough to receive a suspension from competition. Neither seems to have any bearing on each other in large parts of the world. Consider this quote made in reference to the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy:

   “The IOC expressed concern about Italy’s anti-doping legislation, under which athletes can face criminal charges for possessing or using performance-enhancing drugs. That could raise the possibility of police raiding the athletes’ village during the games.

   The IOC stressed that Olympic anti-doping rules should be respected during the games. Pescante said he was working to amend the law in Parliament; otherwise the government could pass an exemption for the games. “

   (Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05045/457306.stm)

   On the face of it, the Italian model seems to be what would be the order of the day in the rest of the countries were anabolics are prohibited by law. Instead, the testing for drugs has become a transnational affair that is largely decoupled from the local rule of the land and the local police is in silent agreement over this arrangement. This of course serves, in theory, to put all athletes on the same playing field given the vast differences in national laws (in Turkey and Thailand the pharmacies have a ‘bodybuilding section’ I hear) but logically the law is the law even in sports. One whoppin’ paradox indeed.

3. Alberto Caraballo Says:
   March 24th, 2005 at 7:19 pm

   Right now, there are a lot of powerlifters on the loose:-) That’s a lot of APBs, eh?

   If powerlifting makes the Olympics, I think the lifts would still be amazing even when drug tested. I’m just not that jaded yet by 900-1000 lbs benches and 1100 lbs squats to believe otherwise. And the drug testing and uniformity on gear usage may actually bring training innovation to the fore, or at least some more fire. I know Kieran Kidder means well, and I hope he pulls it off. Will it be totally drug free? No! And some people won’t show up because they can’t use the gear of their choice. But that’s alright, as long as the rest of the world shows up!!!

4. Kris Says:
   March 24th, 2005 at 8:53 pm

   Amen!

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