Punch on: Open thread 26/09/09

Timmo says:

05:04am | 26/09/09

Well Ben Johnson was a great sprinter. His gait was beautiful to watch. But I remember back on the Gold Coast in the 70s in the Body Building Gym. I think there was only one here in those days when we used to pump iron. Anabolic Steriods became popular to build muscle tissue, not for me tho. But they used to get it from the Vets. All the big Body Building people use steriods even today. Arnold Swarzenegger had the best body conformity in the World. He admitted after his heart problems that he used steriods to get there. Football Stars use Pain Killers to get back onto the field and complete the game. Runners use modern spiced up drinks to enhance physical indurance. At the end of the day they can’t control what people do, even with all their laws, rules and regulations. I mean, can a softdrink be seen as a stimulant to increase performance?. Drugs are everywhere these days. Our local chemists pump out drugs all the time under the direction of Doctors. We can’t live without our pain killers. Every Household has painkilling drugs in the cupboard. But they call it medicine so it’s ok. They pump the Panadol even into Young Children for just about everything that happens to them. Drugs in Sport have to come from somewhere. I don’t know anyone who has a Drug Production Lab. in their homes. Maybe Pharma. Companies if they took more responsibility could stop making these fitness enhancing drugs. But there are big profits to be made so any moral code goes out the door. When I was a kid they used to use Laudanum and opiate in everything. Opium was promoted in the Health Advertising just like the Pain Killers of today. The Americans had Cocaine Cola.So most of us who come from the English Culture have used these Drugs to enhance and relieve something. I personally feel that drugs aren’t necessary in Sport. Let everyone be judged on their natural merits. Size doesn’t matter. People who use drugs in sport usually will suffer major health problems later in life. They may get many medals and importance when they are young, but if you ask the older ones they can end up with cancers, heart problems, arthritic joints and organ breakdowns later in life. Not a good way to go really just for 5 minutes of fame.

T.C. says:

06:39am | 26/09/09

If everyone is cheating (with drugs) in sports, is it cheating?

I recommend the documentary Bigger Stronger Faster.

Paul says:

08:32am | 26/09/09

I actually had a discussion about this with a work-mate of mine a few days ago. He has been involved in Iron Man / Tri-events over many years. At the age of 60-something, he still actively participates. Some of the stories he tells can be eye-opening.

I brought forward the idea for embracing the genetic/drug enhanced athlete. Instead of creating a murky underground, bring it out into the open instead. Create a G/D (Genetic or Drug) World Record category, and keep the N (Natural) World Record.

For the Natural Category keep the testing procedures in place. If someone is caught doping in the Natural Category they get banned for life (effective immediately from any category), all proceeds gained go to charity, and the rightful winner gets a full-on award ceremony in his/her hometown (complete with governing body officials and world-wide coverage).

The G/D category would be wide open. Take what you want, and as much as you want. This will allow officials to see what is being used, how it’s used, and be able to enhance testing procedures for the Natural category. It may act as a deterrent. The hopes and dreams of a nation lay 10-metres from the finish foaming from the mouth, or someone’s heart finishes a race before the body as it explodes over the line might keep future athletes on a natural course.

The worst part about today’s methods is that it does take time. Time for testing, time for results, and time for the legal system to play out. Too bad for the Silver Medallist. They miss out on the glory of a life’s goal, the opportunities that come with a Gold Medal, and the justification of what they were doing was right. It’s not the same to receive Gold Medal 2-years on in the mail with an apology letter.

stephen says:

10:44am | 26/09/09

Either everybody takes drugs, or nobody takes drugs. But then, of course, if everyone was on drugs, it’d be legal, and that’s what we DON’T want.

bek says:

12:51pm | 26/09/09

I reckon we should let athletes take all the performance enhancing drugs they work and then sit back and enjoy the spectacle