First doping DQ at this Olympics...

[Kristofor]

.....Was a cyclist. What a shock!

But what did surprise me was that the head of the testing group said they expected 30-40 DQs! This isn't a random testing regime that trips cheaters up, this is going to an event where you KNOW you're going to be tested... If you can't pass the screen, why take the spot from someone else. A "training injury" would give the option of saving face when pulling out, while not proving you're a cheater...

[JR]

[quote=Kristofor;362346If you can't pass the screen, why take the spot from someone else. [/quote]
Good question. The woman in question, a Spaniard, was tested immediately upon arrival in Beijing. She is said to have had a crisis of character throughout the day, crying and in low spirits. She pulled out and went home that very evening, days before any test return would have been available. In her case it's impossible to know what was going through her mind.

In the more general sense, many athletes believe they can game the system. There are a number of masking and micro-dosing techniques that keep the athlete's blood levels within the allowable limits. As testing improves, and as tolerance for cheating diminishes, athletes are getting caught and "outed" immediately upon receipt of the "A" sample result, not even waiting for the "B" tests, as would normally be required.

JR

[Tom Slick]

I've been told that you can take drugs that cover the "doping" drugs. the problem is you can get your system out of whack and the cover drugs don't work correctly. So you think you are going to pass because you are on cover juice for the juice but it is not the case. It would explain why they dope when they know they are going to get tested.

This info was from someone involved in the horse "trade". He says the same situation is common in horse events also

[stormdog74]

I think they may not be pulling out because they have gotten away with it before so are willing to take a chance. If they win they win big and I guess it is just too tempting.

[drumpriest]

I wonder what will happen to cycling's reputation in the US when they start testing NFL players. I have seen interviews where it's basically standard practice to inject cortisone at half time for key players in key games if they have some soreness issues.

It's interesting that it was EPO too, maybe not a pro cyclist?? They should know better than use EPO by now, as it's the #1 test for cyclists.

[kirkroy]

It would be interesting to see an actual count (which you can't get now as testing only finds those who screw up their doping regimen) of olympic athletes who are doping. I'll bet the real numbers are much, much higher than many would expect and suspect that the "cheaters" are actually just the ones who make a mistake and get caught... Yes, I'm cynical...

[BobSch]

...Yes, I'm cynical...

No, Just unfortunately realistic. As far as the NFL and other pros are concerned, it's a business, not a sport.