Mark Block given 10yrs for supplying drugs to Zhanna Block

[7-sided]

You have to be an absolute IDIOT to think that the IAAF is not acting on innuendo and rumor; the issue is - and it is correct - that you have to have PROOF to remove them from competition. Just because these people were not caught as fast as you (and I) would have liked does not mean that the proper authorities were not trying to catch them. I would expect these types of comments from the occasional track fan, but it is a shock to read knowledgable posters go on about target testing as if it's that easy. Do you not remember Marion Jones' calendars which had her taking drugs on the same days that she was being tested? Do you not remember that BALCO was about UNDETECTABLE drugs? Do you not remember that without Trevor Graham possibly NONE of these athletes would have been banned? All that everyone is bellyaching about came from ONE investigation. Yes, there's more, but who's gonna be the "Trevor Graham" for that one? Come on, guys, you know better! The cheats were ahead of the police. They may always be, but the gap is narrowing. But, it is foolhardy to think that the IAAF does not have a strong stance AGAINST doping.

One more thing: this idea that you are only knowledgeable about our sport based upon who you can accuse of PED abuse/use has to stop.

[Gabriella]

One I found interesting was the EAA's alleged target testing of Nicola Sanders during/after 2007.

Other than my Snitch Box, I would also like to add in the 'Acne Test', the 'Out Of Nowhere Test' (also known as 'Where Did THAT Performance Come From Test') the 'Where Did You Get That New Body? Test' and 'Is That A Moustache On Your Upper Lip? Test'. Though not comprehensive and 100% accurate, these tests, together with the Snitch Box, may help to fight these awful criminals.

[26mi235]

Cycling, for all its problems has been trying to adjust to catch guys. They both target testing and have brought in the Biological Passport, which is essentially following an athlete. As I recall, anomalies in blood specifics lead to them targeting Tyler Hamilton who was then tabbed for blood transfusion, although they messed up the test at the OGs and he kept that tainted medal.

I think that the Contador case will be interesting, since political pressure might have played a role in his receiving no penalty and the appeal to CAS might result in a different result. The Spanish Fed seems to really be in disarray at this point.

[John G]

One I found interesting was the EAA's alleged target testing of Nicola Sanders during/after 2007.

Other than my Snitch Box, I would also like to add in the 'Acne Test', the 'Out Of Nowhere Test' (also known as 'Where Did THAT Performance Come From Test') the 'Where Did You Get That New Body? Test' and 'Is That A Moustache On Your Upper Lip? Test'. Though not comprehensive and 100% accurate, these tests, together with the Snitch Box, may help to fight these awful criminals.

Shame there was no "Why Is That Athlete In His/Her Late 20s/early 30s Suddenly Wearing Braces, Despite Already Having Perfectly Straight Teeth Test" available in the 90s.

[7-sided]

One I found interesting was the EAA's alleged target testing of Nicola Sanders during/after 2007.

Other than my Snitch Box, I would also like to add in the 'Acne Test', the 'Out Of Nowhere Test' (also known as 'Where Did THAT Performance Come From Test') the 'Where Did You Get That New Body? Test' and 'Is That A Moustache On Your Upper Lip? Test'. Though not comprehensive and 100% accurate, these tests, together with the Snitch Box, may help to fight these awful criminals.

Your "tests" are just self-serving. The IAAF already targets athletes once they become top-50 performers. WADA/USADA also takes "tips" (obviously, since that is the way BALCO got started, and how the Russian urine swappers got caught). So, their answer to you would be, "Thanks, but no thanks."

[trevorp]

Other than my Snitch Box, I would also like to add in the ..

And don't forget the 'You've Just Won So Why Are You So Angry?' Test.

[Gabriella]

Just because these people were not caught as fast as you (and I) would have liked does not mean that the proper authorities were not trying to catch them.

No, it means there is too much bureaucracy and red tape. Also not enough money being invested in catching cheats and far too much politics. The IAAF, WADA and the IOC have to decide what they want to spend money on, and unfortunately they are not doing enough and spending enough to catch cheats, because it's not always in their interest to do so.

I understand politcis, I understand about investment, about encouraging developing nations, about TV broadcasting rights and sponsorship...but I do not understand why someone doesn't make brave decisions. Catch a whole training camp of women with fake passports and body doubles? Ban the bloody federation from the next championships until they clean up their act, do not give them a bloody world championships!

[mump boy]

Just because these people were not caught as fast as you (and I) would have liked does not mean that the proper authorities were not trying to catch them.

No, it means there is too much bureaucracy and red tape. Also not enough money being invested in catching cheats and far too much politics. The IAAF, WADA and the IOC have to decide what they want to spend money on, and unfortunately they are not doing enough and spending enough to catch cheats, because it's not always in their interest to do so.

I understand politcis, I understand about investment, about encouraging developing nations, about TV broadcasting rights and sponsorship...but I do not understand why someone doesn't make brave decisions. Catch a whole training camp of women with fake passports and body doubles? Ban the bloody federation from the next championships until they clean up their act, do not give them a bloody world championships!

This^ This^ This^ This^ and This^

[mump boy]

Other than my Snitch Box, I would also like to add in the ..

And don't forget the 'You've Just Won So Why Are You So Angry?' Test.

Can i also add the 'You haven't seen me all year, i'll just pop at a champs win and disappear again' Test

[PCSExponent]

'Acne Test'
'Out Of Nowhere Test'
'Where Did You Get That New Body? Test' and
'Is That A Moustache On Your Upper Lip? Test'.

Two of these tests are VERY rigorous, much more so than many would care to admit.
An athlete can change their training regime and observe a (sometimes abrupt) change of both physique and results. They can also be wearing braces for totally innocuous reasons. But when adult athletes get acne, and in the case of women, a moustache, that wasn't there 6 months ago, I would bet my life on the reason. Athletes over the age of 25 who get acne out of the blue are definitely _____ ________. Same goes for women who all of a sudden resemble Charlie Chaplin. I only wished there were a good close-up of Markus Ruhl to post, but there isn't - search for videos instead.

[7-sided]

Just because these people were not caught as fast as you (and I) would have liked does not mean that the proper authorities were not trying to catch them.

No, it means there is too much bureaucracy and red tape. Also not enough money being invested in catching cheats and far too much politics. The IAAF, WADA and the IOC have to decide what they want to spend money on, and unfortunately they are not doing enough and spending enough to catch cheats, because it's not always in their interest to do so.

Wrong! There is not enough money within WADA or any of the ADA's to test in a way that would satisfy you, so to call it red tape when the mandate is to grow/market/develop a dying sport is off in the margins. WADA and USADA have every reason to catch cheats because it is the only way they can justify their existence. And, the bigger the catch, the more complex the snare, the more relevant the organization. Trust me they have FEASTED off of BALCO and continue to digest the remains of that sorry carcass. IAAF and IOC have much lesser roles in testing these days, but the IAAF is much more conscientious than the IOC in my opinion.

[Powell]

Two of these tests are VERY rigorous, much more so than many would care to admit.
An athlete can change their training regime and observe a (sometimes abrupt) change of both physique and results. They can also be wearing braces for totally innocuous reasons.

Nobody's saying you should ban athletes automatically for wearing braces, just that it's a sign something may be going on. If they are innocent, then the fact they're being tested more frequently shouldn't bother them too much.

[Flumpy]

The fact that most of the people you suspected were caught eventually suggests that WADA's informers are as well informed as you

But even if you are sure that an athlete is using drugs, you can't realistically expect that evidence sufficient to banning them will be found within a week. These things take time.

I would expect them to be a whole lot more informed than me for obvious reasons.

I agree that the fact most people we suspect, seem to be caught eventually shows that the job is getting done and I'm not suggesting that these thing would only take a few weeks, but there are some athletes who get away with it for years before being targeted and others retire or stop using before that can happen. The longer it takes to catch someone, the bigger mess medal reallocation is.

[Flumpy]

Other than my Snitch Box, I would also like to add in the........

"Your Coach Has Trained 10 Busted Drug Cheats In The Last 2 Years Test"

[Flumpy]

You have to be an absolute IDIOT to think that the IAAF is not acting on innuendo and rumor; the issue is - and it is correct - that you have to have PROOF to remove them from competition. Just because these people were not caught as fast as you (and I) would have liked does not mean that the proper authorities were not trying to catch them. I would expect these types of comments from the occasional track fan, but it is a shock to read knowledgable posters go on about target testing as if it's that easy. Do you not remember Marion Jones' calendars which had her taking drugs on the same days that she was being tested? Do you not remember that BALCO was about UNDETECTABLE drugs? Do you not remember that without Trevor Graham possibly NONE of these athletes would have been banned? All that everyone is bellyaching about came from ONE investigation. Yes, there's more, but who's gonna be the "Trevor Graham" for that one? Come on, guys, you know better! The cheats were ahead of the police. They may always be, but the gap is narrowing. But, it is foolhardy to think that the IAAF does not have a strong stance AGAINST doping.

One more thing: this idea that you are only knowledgeable about our sport based upon who you can accuse of PED abuse/use has to stop.

Calm down!!!

Clearly the IAAF/WADA have been taking a very proactive stance on these matters in recent years and I think they are doing a pretty good job. It may be the case that they currently have dozens of undercover investigations going on to catch as many cheats as they can, in which case that answers my question.

Originally I was asking whether this had been a long running investigation or if it had all happened recently. If it was the letter I was wondering what took them so long.

[Flumpy]

Where has this thread been moved to???

It's not in any of the usual Boards but it clealy hasn't been locked as I'm still posting in it

I know Gary doesn't likee too much drug talk and we're not allowed to make any wild speculation but I thought everyone was being pretty well behaved.

[trevorp]

It's here Flump:
viewforum.php?f=10

Scroll down and you'll find it just above a thread about Justin Bieber - or 'beyond the pale', as it's more commonly known.

[Flumpy]

I know where to find it I just don't know where here is???

What's the point of this board? Why is it so hidden away? Why is this thread on it???

[Jon]

Block is challenging the ban:
http://www.athleticsweekly.com/news/mar ... usada-ban/

[Flumpy]

So he did own them but never gave them to anyone else???

That's alright then

If there's one thing I hate more than a drug cheat it's a drug cheat won't stick a fork in it once they're rumbled

[Jon]

IAAF has confirmed they're investigating Zhanna:
http://www.athleticsweekly.com/news/iaa ... stigation/

[Giant Panda]

Why is this thread pinned to the Board Index page?