If you’re a fan of the sport, you’re already aware of the news. Tyson Gay a positive "A" sample and out of Moscow. Jamaica, FIVE positives! Asafa Powell, and Sherone Simpson confirmed. Nests Carter said to be. Two as yet unnamed. Perhaps THE worst day ever for the sport!
Yet there are those pointing fingers of glee, as most of the world points at America saying, "there they go again". The portion of the world interested in sprinting pointing at Jamaica saying "we knee they were dirty too". And the portion of the world that doesn’t care about track pointing at the sort saying "this is why we don’t watch"!
In case you’re keeping track it’s Finger Pointers 3, Track and Field 0! Because when track and field and drugs cross paths track always loses! And this is a day of loss – major loss. Let’s be real and talk openly, because frankly one of the reasons we’re at this precipice today is due to a lack of open communication.
First we are now looking at the destruction of the main event in Moscow – the 100 meter dash. Let’s begin with the showdown between Gay & Bolt – the US and Jamaica. Because with Gay out and Blake injured it’s Bolt in a romp – no offense to Justin Gatlin. The 4×1 also losses summer marquee value without Gay on the US squad, and Powell & Carter along either the injured Blake missing from Jamaica – suddenly making the 4×1 the final event isn’t looking so brilliant! I said the 4×4 ALWAYS provides highlights.
Speaking of Blake, Gatlin, Powell and Carter, this weekend’s revelations mean that only two of the men that have run under 9.80 have not yet been touched by the drug brush – Usain Bolt (9.58) & Maurice Greene (9.79). Everyone else – Tyson Gay (9.69), Yohan Blake (9.69), Asafa Powell (9.72), Justin Gatlin (9.77), Tim Montgomery (9.78), and Nesta Carter (9.78) – have all served or are preparing to serve suspensions. And without casting aspersions on Bolt, but is one man that vastly superior to the rest – a whopping .21 over 100 meters? Because that’s a question many will ask – I’ve already seen it scanning message boards. And suddenly were back at the middle ’00’s where because of BALCO and the knowledge of "undetectable" drugs we, and the general public, began to question every outstanding performance in the sport!
Of course this brings back the question of drug testing credibility – because we know historically "never failed a drug test" means "not caught yet"!
The credibility of the US comes back into question – just when it seemed we’d shaken off the stench from BALCO. Joining us this time however, is Jamaica. Powell (9.72), Carter (9.78) & VCB (10.76/21.74) this year. Blake (9.69/19.26) and SAFP (10.70) previously suspended. You don’t get much higher on the all time lists than this group.
Yes, this was a very BAD weekend for the sport. With our biggest meet before us, we now must spend time answering questions instead of promoting the sport – something we never seem to be able to get to!
As I stand here watching the flames envelope the sport I love,I don’t blame any of the athletes, not one. Because they are pawns in a game that’s not designed for them – I said I was going to talk frankly. They’re playing an amateur game with quasi professional rules designed to enrich those running the game while those providing the entertainment and producing the results fight for a decent payday. Human versions of Secretariat and Man ‘O War, they are groomed and do as they are told in the hope of receiving a larger portion of fodder than the competition while those holding the reigns get wealthy. The ultimate goal is to become the rare "Triple Crown Winner" that gets the big payday and cashes in!
It’s time to change that dynamic. It’s time to restructure, because this quasi/hybrid of ancient sport and modern money IS NOT WORKING! I love the sport, but this is a joke – and it’s not funny. Governing Body – Federations – Meet Promoters – Agents – Global Doping Agencies – Regional Doping Agencies – National Doping Agencies – athletes. So many middle men and apparently no one really in charge!
No, restructuring should be at the top of the list. Unfortunately however, none of the above will cast a vote to cut their interest. So maybe it’s time to just let it burn like Sherman’s march through Atlanta – and with it everything that is wrong, Rebuild and create a new version. One where athletes are the focus. Where pay is equitable. A sport where the focus is on competition, not record setting. A version that commands respect from the general public.
Today I got the memo – the sport is in flames and in danger of dying. CHANGES are required to save it. The question is, is the sport willing to change, or are all the individual factions self centered enough to resist and instead go down in flames?
Edit – since I wrote and posted this, it has come out that Nesta Carter was not one that tested positive. So my apology to Mr Carter.