Cheaters Never Prosper...or Do They?

[ref1655]

another IOC report on Russian anti-doping in preparation for the Olympics...a full ban on Russia's participation in the Rio Summer Olympics is being considered. the pertinent issue is 'collective responsibility vs individual justice'. the Russian deputy minister of sports actively participated in this cover-up by instructing Moscow lab workers which blood samples to submit & which ones to hold back on. the result...honest Russian athletes may now have to pay the price for their fellow competitors who sought 'an added edge'.

this has been going on for seemingly ages. remember during the 'eastern bloc' era when a sizable number of East German & Russian women athletes pumped-up on steroids hardly resembled women but looked more like King Kong? why Russia continues to cheat is beyond rational thought.

[masyv6]

Many of the steroids used in bodybuilding/powerlifting/etc nowadays were actually created by state-sponsored chemists for their Olympic athletes.

State-sponsored doping is nothing new. Russia just wasn't able to create undetectable chemicals and resorted to less delicate methods of cheating.

Some people will always do whatever it takes to get an advantage on others.

[AzPaul]

Personally, I believe the level of cheating in sports (PED-wise) goes far beyond what most folks think. Given all that's at stake, it's easy to understand why they do it. The pressure to gain each and every advantage, is extraordinary.

[Relyt]

If I was a player trying to make it big and stand out I would do PEDs in a heartbeat. The reward far outweighs the risk to get a leg up for a few years. (I.e. Farm league baseball player trying to get INTO the MLB)

On the other hand, if you have already made it big, the monetary gain wouldn't be as worth it.


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[77T]

Final Results are in:
The Gold Medal for cheating goes to...

[THC]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

Personally, I believe the level of cheating in sports (PED-wise) goes far beyond what most folks think. Given all that's at stake, it's easy to understand why they do it. The pressure to gain each and every advantage, is extraordinary.

This for sure... Well put Paul

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by 77T

Final Results are in:
The Gold Medal for cheating goes to...

Payton Manning...

Maybe Lance Armstrong?

Professional sports are rife with PEDs. NFLers, MLBers, and others are using very well engineered substances that are designed to avoid detection. The Russians appear to be fairly ham handed in their PED use, which takes them far from the champions podium for cheating. The real champion cheaters are the widely suspected cheaters, staying ahead of the drug labs.

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by masyv6

Russia just wasn't able to create undetectable chemicals and resorted to less delicate methods of cheating.

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

The Russians appear to be fairly ham handed in their PED use, which takes them far from the champions podium for cheating. .

so in addition to their propensity for cheating, 'not very clever' (or even bright) could also be added to the equation.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by ref1655

so in addition to their propensity for cheating, 'not very clever' (or even bright) could also be added to the equation.

Not very advanced PED labs may be a better way to state it. They aren't staying ahead of the detection curve.

The secret to not getting caught is engineering substances that effectively mask their existence in the body. That is a particular specialty that is not particularly useful medically.

I think there is likely enough demand for this specialized medicine in the US, but I'm not sure there is enough money in Russian professional sports to maintain this kind of capability.

[RW16610]

I guess over time more and more will be caught / exposed. Although I would never use such substances it's understandable why some of these athletes would consider or actually do it. As an extremely person passionate about swimming, skating, and weight lifting the recovery struggle can be intense. Apparently a bunch of UFC fighters also got caught. Regarding the original post though it really does suck for the ones staying natural that could pay the price for this.

[Kingair]

Even with cheaters the Olympics are not going in the right direction if you ask me . . .

[Ruud Van Driver]

In many ways, I think professional bodybuilding has the right approach in that pharmaceutical assistance is acdepted. At least then there's a level playing field.

However, the potential health consequences are not always worth the risk.

[skydriver]

Originally Posted by Relyt

If I was a player trying to make it big and stand out I would do PEDs in a heartbeat. The reward far outweighs the risk to get a leg up for a few years. (I.e. Farm league baseball player trying to get INTO the MLB)

On the other hand, if you have already made it big, the monetary gain wouldn't be as worth it.


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I agree. I would probably do what I needed to do in order to make it and be financially set for life.

[seand442]

Originally Posted by Relyt

If I was a player trying to make it big and stand out I would do PEDs in a heartbeat. The reward far outweighs the risk to get a leg up for a few years. (I.e. Farm league baseball player trying to get INTO the MLB)

On the other hand, if you have already made it big, the monetary gain wouldn't be as worth it.

I agree. Unfortunately, at that level it becomes about ego and who can make the most money. Nowadays, athletes seem to be judged by their guaranteed money as opposed to their ability.

[GradyPhilpott]

When winning at all costs becomes the norm, sports as they were conceived cease to exist.

The principles upon which the Olympics purportedly stand have been corrupted beyond all reason.

Without integrity and honor, there is nothing left except a money grab and bragging rights.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

In many ways, I think professional bodybuilding has the right approach in that pharmaceutical assistance is acdepted. At least then there's a level playing field.

However, the potential health consequences are not always worth the risk.

Agree Paul. If the assumption is made that everyone has access to the same PEDs, the playing field is at least level (until they genetically engineer superhumans).

The games are big money and not particularly altruistic anyway. If the games are expected to produce the finest performance that human sport can offer, why not allow the athletes to maximize their genetic potential using existing pharmaceutical technology. It's an ethical quagmire for certain, but if the detection system can't level the field, perhaps the solution is to allow PEDs in the games.

[Rock]

Grady has it right.
I lost any interest in the Olympics many decades ago when I first realised that performance enhancing drugs were widely used.
It was also obvious that the IOC was deeply corrupt and the location of the Games was determined by bribes and corruption.
I consider it my moral obligation to totally ignore them.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

Personally, I believe the level of cheating in sports (PED-wise) goes far beyond what most folks think. Given all that's at stake, it's easy to understand why they do it. The pressure to gain each and every advantage, is extraordinary.

My feelings as well and for me it's pretty much ruined most of the fun of watching sports in the first place.

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

When winning at all costs becomes the norm, sports as they were conceived cease to exist.

The principles upon which the Olympics purportedly stand have been corrupted beyond all reason.

Without integrity and honor, there is nothing left except a money grab and bragging rights.

Completely agree and couldn't have said it any better

[Star Ferry]

As a former track athlete (30 pounds ago) I find some of the records suspicious

The women's mile run record of 4 minutes 12 seconds was set by a Russian athlete in 1996. Since then, exercise science has improved dramatically. Today's competition shoes are also lighter and higher performance. Why hasn't the record been broken? My guess is that athletes stopped taking so many PEDs when detection methods improved. The men's record has stood since 1999 -- at a blazing fast 3 minutes 43 seconds.

[jazz_harvey]

I've generally stopped watching professional sports because of all the PED use. I'll stick with the high school and college leagues. Yeah they're amateurs, but its rewarding to see a amateur grow and get better. Unlike a pro who whores himself and destroys the integrity of sport.
Once an athlete hits the big time, they're forced to use PED or be sidelined. And that's when I stop caring for the sport.

[Ferdelious]

Originally Posted by jazz_harvey

I've generally stopped watching professional sports because of all the PED use. I'll stick with the high school and college leagues. Yeah they're amateurs, but its rewarding to see a amateur grow and get better. Unlike a pro who whores himself and destroys the integrity of sport.
Once an athlete hits the big time, they're forced to use PED or be sidelined. And that's when I stop caring for the sport.

I think it's naive to think high school and college athletes aren't using PEDs. They have just as much to gain as professionals, like scholarships and draft picks.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Ferdelious

I think it's naive to think high school and college athletes aren't using PEDs. They have just as much to gain as professionals, like scholarships and draft picks.

And no testing...

[Syed117]

Since testing isn't thorough enough, and punishments aren't severe enough, I'm for allowing any and all PEDs.

Let everyone take enough drugs to become monsters and let them have at it.