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Pre Trials Status Check
With the Olympic Trials less than two weeks away, I thought I would take a quick look at where we’re at. First a word on doping which once again seems to lead the discussion. Doping This sport just CAN’T seem to get away from the issue of doping! Ben Johnson (1988) opened the door to sub 9.80 in the 100, and to an open conversation on doping! It took until 2002 and BALCO before that conversation became loud – though many wanted to pretend it was an American problem – despite all evidence to the contrary. Now, in 2016, it’s clearly a global epidemic in which even the IAAF has…
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Wow, I Agree with Carl Lewis
It’s been the rare occasion that I’ve been in agreement with Carl Lewis. He’s been "controversial" during much of his association with the sport of track and field going back to the 1980s. But as I read this article I found myself nodding my head in agreement. While I’ve been trying my best to just enjoy the competition this indoor season, DOPING continues to dominate the headlines. Stories about the various finalists from the women’s 1500 final in London, discovered to have doped. Continuing issues with Russia and it’s "anti"doping program. Doping revelations in Ethiopia. Not a week goes by without discussions of doping in track and field in the…
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Better Track Reporting
2014 was an off season in the world of track and field. There was no major championship of any kind at the elite level, and that translated into rest and time off for many of the sports major stars. It also translated into time off from writing for me, as I focused more on coaching my high school athletes (state runner up in the 300H); watching the sport and keeping my opinions to myself; and dealing with a major health issue (had an aneurysm in January). So, after about a year away from writing I’ve decided a) I love coaching and the sport needs good coaches filling the pipeline of…
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PED’s a Decade After BALCO
BALCO. The biggest doping scandal in sports history. From Barry Bonds to Marion Jones, some of the biggest names in sport came tumbling down. Victor Conte became a household name. Everyone became familiar with the phrase "performance enhancing drugs".Baseball’s greatest era of home run hitters was labeled "The Drug Era" and American athletes – specifically sprinters – drew the stigma of dopers! Not a pretty sight! Doping issues in the sport were grabbing headlines weekly. And it seemed like the only news the sport could get was bad news. Every American sprinter that ran under 10.00, 20.00, 11.00, or 22.00 became suspect, and the bashing of US sprinters became a…
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Moscow and the Sport in Flames
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"!…
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News Ahead of the Start of the Games
I’ve been very very busy outside of track and field the past couple of days. Doctor’s appointment; kids to the fair; trying to catch up on non track work/stuff. Have to clear my plate so I can focus on the Games with the opening ceremonies TOMORROW! Yet as I step away for a couple of days, the news/happenings of the sport seem to increase in volume. And so many things I’m compelled to comment on. Usually I prefer to give items individual attention – and I may do that later on with a few topics – but trying to keep pace with what is certainly going to be an exciting…
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Dai Greene and the Drug Issue
It’s “Championship Week” for the indoor season, and I’m going to spend the rest of the week talking about the upcoming NCAA and World Championships. But I feel compelled today to comment on an issue that continues to destroy our sport – DRUGS – because one of the potential headliners in London has brought this topic to the forefront in a not so flattering light. Dai Greene (GBR) as the winner of last year’s World Championships 400 meter hurdles, is one of Britain’s “hometown” favorites to win a medal in London this summer. But while most of the stars of the sport are quietly going about the business of putting…
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Time to Talk Doping
At least that’s the impression I’m getting as I scan the news, as doping has been a very prominent topic this winter. Of course it is an Olympic year, and while on one hand there is the anticipation of watching the world’s best athletes produce stunning performances, the specter of “drugs” and just how “natural” those performances may be seems to be on everyone’s mind, as evidenced by the plethora of articles there are on the topic. Everything from gushing over how “modern” the Olympic lab is; to early warnings to drug cheats; botched tests; a plea for athletes and others to blow the whistle on known cheats; to an…