I've been watching it too. I've been watching the Tour de France become a media spectacle. I was deeply disappointed in Vinokourov, horrified with Rasmussen. Moreni? How could you. All of you make the entire sport look dishonest.
And Floyd - who I wanted to believe - is looking more dishonest by the second. I've read his lawyer's presentation, I understand the issues with the chain of custody. I agree there are definite problems in the way his tests were handled. Am I an expert? No. Does he look bad?
Yes.
It's as if the whole field is being eliminated one cheater at a time. If I pack up right now and head to France, even I might have a chance.
I have heard that the drugs these guys take are awesome performance enhancers if you are already an exceptional athlete. Which means if I started taking EPO, it might mean that I would move from the middle of the back of the pack to the middle of the pack.
Then again, maybe not. One of my fellow Outlaws dredged up this really great article in Outside magazine written by a regular athlete guy who tried all the illegal stuff. It's great reading. He didn't just improve a little, he felt great.
I can totally see now why it would be so tempting.
Would I do it?
It seems risky, and I would have trouble forgiving myself if I cheated someone else out of a fair competition. I'd have to say no.
Would you do it?
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18 comments:
now the HGH is tempting! I need new eyesight. Great article...
If I were an elite athlete focused only on winning and knew this would take me from top 10 to number 1, it would be more tempting... But I'm not a good athlete. I'm happy to be where I am and finishing is most important. Another point is that if it were legal and everyone was using it then that would be different but it's not legal. Integrity to yourself and to the sport has to come into play somewhere too.
If I ever took myself seriously enough as a triathlete that I'd even consider it, I would have taken a wrong turn somewhere. Although improved eyesight does sound nice, maybe I'd be able to read my bedside table clock when I wake up. (and I already have one of the large number displays)
I understand the temptation because for once it would be fun to actually be competitive as in "I am giving someone a run" however I would never, ever actually do it. EPO is probably not too bad for you in the long run and as a person with sub-standard lung power it sure would be nice to increase my 02 concentration but no. Three weeks in the mountains would do the same.
Those steroids are potentially quite dangerous. I wonder how many of these athletes will die of nasty malignancies. And no - it will not serve them right. I don't like to think that way.
I am heartsick about Landis but I agree - my faith in his innocence has taken a huge hit. In fact, I think it left the room.
Excellent article. Cheers for the link.
Would I do it? No. Because it has never been faster or stronger than anyone else. It's always been pushing myself further.
If the guy next to me is doing it, good for him. I sleep well at night.
As for Floyd, yeah, his lawyer certainly isn't helping matters. But I believe in one simple principle: If the labs can't do the job in a professional manner that removes all doubt, then he shouldn't be hammered for it. Same for any other criminal case; as much as I hate seeing people let off on technicalities, if the professionals can't get their shit together, then their "evidence" can't be used.
Obviously I hadn't read the article before I made my last comment. So never mind on the EPO but he really does make HGH a temptation. Not that I would indulge but still... it sounds suweet!
i've thought about this question so many times and I just can't answer it. It's similar to articles I've read about teachers who cheat on standardized tests, changing answers, improving scores. Would I cheat? I don't like to think so, but what would I do if the stakes were really high? And how high would they ahve to be to tip me over the line?
As I squint at the screen this morning, the whole improved vision thing is awfully tempting! But that's my years talking.
The fear of letting people down, of disgrace, shame and infamy ... that would tip the balance, I think.
Thanks for this post Dread Pirate. Totally linkable!
coming from a mid packer? would it put me in the front? nah, prolly not. plus, i'd actually have to race and i don't like that too much so, nope, i wouldn't. plus, i'm too afraid of all that stuff - especially the hgh. we had a friend that took it and he felt great for awhile, but then they found out he had cancer all over his body - they think he had it to begin with and the hgh made it explode in his body.
nope, nope.
DPR - great article. No, I'd rather come in last place than cheat. I don't even draft. And Momo's comment - that's awful!
BTW - I saw on Stronger's post that you going to CO for the Outward Bound Relay - I have a team there, too! (Puke-and-Rally) I hope we get a chance to meet.
Jenny
No, I would not cheat. Then again, the point of sport for little ol' Moi is the race I run against myself. And, of course, extra cake.
If big fat paydays and endorsements and the promise of all that fame were at stake, well, I can see how certain competitive mindsets would easily be seduced.
But I hate these elite athletes for even thinking about cheating. It cheapens things beyond repair. I want to admire them for being above the fray – better, faster, and super human through skill and guts and will. By cheating, they bring themselves down to quite an ordinary, grubby level.
That was a very interesting article. When I was in the Marine Corps I knew several guys who took steroids just to get bigger. It was offered to me but I declined. I never really understood the whole drive to get big I've just always wanted the muscles needed to participate in the sports and activities that I want to do.
I understand the temptation - lower body fat!?!?! Better vision ?!?!? Sign me up ... but it cheapens all of it. Racing is about testing my own limits, proving to myself that what I thought was impossible is possible - with effort and consistency and determination. When you add drugs to that mix, it takes away the feeling of accomplisment. Like plastic surgery. I've heard people say they got it "to feel more confident" but I can't help believing that they ever after feel that every compliment is due to the surgery not to any merit of their own. I prefer to sweat for my results - or lack thereof.
Fascinating!
Read the article and ... just fascinating, and I hope you never touch a drop... although... the HGH sounds mighty kicky.
I wouldn't use it to cheat, but if I was prescribed steroids by a doctor i absolutely would take them. Look I think there is all types of cheaters, those that cut corners or block others, drafters, people who use performance enhancers to win money or prestige.
If an AG like me took legal drugs and it in no way affected the outcome of the cash purse and sponsors then good for me. Of course it means if that drug was not allowed by the race, for non-medicinal purposes, it would invalidate my ability to receive a benefit.
But I will go so far as to say that if a doctor found I needed testosterone replacement and I was able to get a spot at another IM for free, I would probably take it.
All the stuff those guys do to cheat grosses me out. Needles? Blood? Barf. I couldn't even put in a vote since I know there's so much left that I could do (like, uh, train harder) to hit the podium.
That said, I agree with Bill about the lab issues. Come on-- the junk they pull in those labs would fail those techs out of freshman chem lab. They're supposed to be professionals following very straightforward guidelines; operating out of them is not only improper, it's unethical. The mishaps year in and year out are utterly inexcusable, and until those guys discover their you-know-what from a hole in the ground I don't believe a single allegation they offer. And don't get me started on the complete questionable integrity of anyone with clout in the Olympic committee. Hello, pot? This is the kettle calling...
Ahem. Sorry. :) Go middle of the pack! You can test our pee any day!
Pirate, I agree with you. It comes down to morals, ethics. Fair play seems like a thin veil that very few pro's can see these days. It's all about the win. The Type A power struggle about getting the edge to out do the other type A. Fair play is what makes the win all that much sweeter.
Maybe with their improved eyesight they can see how much damaged they are doing to their bodies... in hindsight?
Stay tuned...
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