Olympics - Athletics

[kinboshi]

Oh and ask the others who were part of the medal-winning relay team who had their medals taken away from them if Chambers should be allowed to compete for GB in the Olympics.

[MintTrav]

I'm less inclined to doubt Bolt because of his unique physique, but when one country, and a small relatively poor one at that, produces a treadmill of world class sprinters I do start to get slightly suspicious. 

Why are the Kenyans and Ethiopians so dominant in the long-distance events? Why are the British so strong in cycling and sailing? Why were Australia once so very dominant across a whole range of Olympic events?

Kenyans and Ethiopians have the benefit of living at altitude and that genetic advantage, Brits $$$$, Aus dunno.

Let me turn the Q around, why do u think they are better bearing in mind, small island, limited resources etc?

Bailey, Johnson & Christie were all Jamaicans. Christie left as a child and the other two as teenagers. All three won the Olympic 100m competing for other countries, so many there is something genetic to it.

[kinboshi]

Two of those were drug cheats, and of course there's something genetic in it - but all top sprinters are genetically 'blessed' to be sprinters. There's more than that needed to be a champion.

If Bolt was American, he might well be playing American Football now. If he was English, he could well have become a footballer. In Jamaica, young athletes with potential are generally guided down the path to be sprinters. Not the case in most other countries.

[MANTIS01]

Can't stop them playing poker, but they could be barred from playing in some comps, by some sites, etc.

I fully backed GB's stance of wanting to ban drug cheats from the Olympics for life. Representing GB in the Olympics is a privilege, not a right. Ask our top-ranked tae kwon do guy...

It should be the right of the world number one to participate in the Olympics thou. Politics should play no part in sport.

Also I'm glad Chambers will get to compete.

[MintTrav]

Do we believe there are (m)any top sprinters who haven't used stuff? Judging by the number who have been caught, it must be rampant throughout. Repeatedly calling out those caught suggests, probably unjustifiably, pureness in those lucky enough not to be caught.

[Woodsey]

Am I going nuts or weren't there several positive tests for a few Jamaican sprinters a couple of years back at a games? A bunch of them got sent home I think, no?

[The Camel]

Has it been demonstrated how much taking drugs can add to your performance?

Ben Johnson would still have been bloody fast without drugs I assume.

[kinboshi]

Can't stop them playing poker, but they could be barred from playing in some comps, by some sites, etc.

I fully backed GB's stance of wanting to ban drug cheats from the Olympics for life. Representing GB in the Olympics is a privilege, not a right. Ask our top-ranked tae kwon do guy...

It should be the right of the world number one to participate in the Olympics thou. Politics should play no part in sport.

Also I'm glad Chambers will get to compete.

The best should compete, not the best cheats.

Chambers won't be competing either, he'll have a good view of the backsides of some Jamaicans though.

[kinboshi]

Am I going nuts or weren't there several positive tests for a few Jamaican sprinters a couple of years back at a games? A bunch of them got sent home I think, no?

Yes, some Jamaicans banned for drug use, and some yanks, and Chambers from GB.  Doesn't mean all runners from those countries are cheats.

[Woodsey]

Am I going nuts or weren't there several positive tests for a few Jamaican sprinters a couple of years back at a games? A bunch of them got sent home I think, no?

Yes, some Jamaicans banned for drug use, and some yanks, and Chambers from GB.  Doesn't mean all runners from those countries are cheats.

Well when a bunch from one country/training group get caught at the same time you have to admit its very suspicious!

[kinboshi]

Has it been demonstrated how much taking drugs can add to your performance?

Ben Johnson would still have been bloody fast without drugs I assume.

I think it's difficult (probably impossible) to determine the benefit to an individual athlete, as there's no control to compare against (obviously). The ability to train harder, recover from injury quicker, etc., gives improved performance on the day - but for someone to say it gives them an extra tenth of a second or whatever would probably be a guess at best. I guess when the difference between first and fourth can be hundredths of a second, some will do anything to get that edge.

[kinboshi]

Am I going nuts or weren't there several positive tests for a few Jamaican sprinters a couple of years back at a games? A bunch of them got sent home I think, no?

Yes, some Jamaicans banned for drug use, and some yanks, and Chambers from GB.  Doesn't mean all runners from those countries are cheats.

Well when a bunch from one country/training group get caught at the same time you have to admit its very suspicious!

It's not usually down to the country they're from, more to do with the training camp they're part of, or them being managed by the same people.

[Woodsey]

Am I going nuts or weren't there several positive tests for a few Jamaican sprinters a couple of years back at a games? A bunch of them got sent home I think, no?

Yes, some Jamaicans banned for drug use, and some yanks, and Chambers from GB.  Doesn't mean all runners from those countries are cheats.

Well when a bunch from one country/training group get caught at the same time you have to admit its very suspicious!

It's not usually down to the country they're from, more to do with the training camp they're part of, or them being managed by the same people.

Isn't that what I said? 

[kinboshi]

I was referring to your earlier post where you said you were suspicious of Jamaica's success in sprinting.

 

I'm less inclined to doubt Bolt because of his unique physique, but when one country, and a small relatively poor one at that, produces a treadmill of world class sprinters I do start to get slightly suspicious. 

[kinboshi]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BALCO_Scandal

That's the bloke behind the drugs Chambers took.