Val Barnwell suspended 2 years for positive dope test at Lahti
M50 world champion and world-record holder Val Barnwell of Brooklyn, New York, has been slapped with a two-year drug suspension, a huge embarrassment for him but a royal bummer for his relay teammates at Lahti worlds. He tested positive for banned substances at the last world meet. Although folks in USATF and some friends knew this for weeks, the official word came in this press release. Val is in Kamloops, but didn’t run the 60 and 200. Now we know why. What a shame. In December, WMA President Stan Perkins said a second drug positive had been detected. This was Val. More details to come later.
Following the 200 final on August 3, 2009, in Lahti, Val is informed of his selection for a urine sample, which later tested positive. Official holds clipboard with paperwork. (Photo by Ken Stone)
Here’s the USADA news release, dated yesterday:
INDEPENDENT PANEL ISSUES TWO-YEAR SUSPENSION TO U.S. TRACK & FIELD ATHLETE, BARNWELL, FOR DOPING OFFENSE
Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 3, 2010) – USADA announced today that Val Barnwell, a Masters track and field athlete, has received a sanction for testing positive for a banned substance at the 2009 Masters World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Barnwell, 52, of Brooklyn, N.Y., tested positive for testosterone prohormones in a sample collected from him on August 3, 2009, after winning a gold medal in the 200 meter event at the Masters World Championships. Testosterone prohormones are prohibited as Anabolic Agents on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, which has been adopted by the USADA Protocol for Olympic Movement Testing and the International Association of Athletics Federations (“IAAF”) Anti-Doping Rules.
Pursuant to the IAAF rules, the case of this U.S. athlete was referred to USADA for adjudication. The sanction is a result of a decision issued by an independent, three-member, American Arbitration Association/Court of Arbitration for Sport (“AAA/CAS”) panel, which heard evidence during a February, 25, 2010 hearing. The panel, in an Interim Order issued on February 26, 2010, found that Barnwell had committed an anti-doping rule violation for his use of testosterone prohormones and that no exceptional circumstances justifying a reduced sanction were present. The panel’s full written decision will follow, including a reasoned award, and will be posted on the USADA website upon issuance. In its Interim Order, the panel issued Mr. Barnwell a two-year suspension beginning December 11, 2009, the date he accepted a provisional suspension.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as all support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Drug Reference Online (www.GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference documentation.
USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
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CONTACT:
Erin Hannan, Communications & Outreach Director
Phone: (719) 785-2009
E-mail: ehannan@usada.org
Lahti gold medalists in the 4x4 were (from left) Jeff Lindsay, Ken Thomas, James Chinn and Val Barnwell. Ben James took Jeff's place for Team USA's 4x1 champion M50 relay at Lahti. (Photo by Ken Stone)
Related posts:
- Kathy Jager suspended 2 years (for second time) for Berea positive
- Britain’s Jeff Battista gets 4 Lahti gold medals forfeited by Barnwell
- With Barnwell expunged, WMA posts corrected results for Lahti
- Perkins on Barnwell case: Relay teammates can keep medals
- WMA anti-doping chief dropping hints of Lahti positive?
129 Responses
What a surprise…not
ITS a same I have none val for many years,im from the east and was born in NYC,he is a good track athlete,and will be missed in the sport,sometime trying to get a egde do you no good
I thought being in masters now I wouldn’t have to worry about the cheats. I just wonder how many are going around that we don’t know about.
Perhaps I have been naive to think that Masters Track is immune to this type of cheating, but this really makes me sad. I see that just a few weeks before this he won the silver in the 200m and the bronze in the 100m at our outdoor nationals. And a few months before that he won the gold in both the 60m and 200m at our indoor nationals. I feel bad for those athletes he displaced from their rightly deserved medals.
I do know, however, that this type of behaviour is an exception rather than the norm for us Masters. The vast majority of us are not in it for glory or fame, but for the love of the sport, the friendships, and to be the best we can be (without cheating).
Keith, what do you mean “It’s a shame?”
Val Barnwell is a drug taker. He is a cheat. He is a disgrace. I hope we will see some real condemnation from his fellow American masters athletes in future.
I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. There at cheaters at all level in all sports, so it was bound to happen to masters track and field. Being fairly new to this, I thought since we are all a little more mature than the average athlete, that there would be a little more honor and integrity as well. I guess I was wrong. There are cheaters everywhere. I’m glad USADA caught another one.
Why would a masters trackster use banned substances? Money, fame, glory? No. WTH is wrong
with this picture? I have been a lifelong trackster but the cheating has taken the luster off the sport for me. Please tell me that cheaters make a small percentage of masters competitors. I know as my times have declined over the years it sometimes is disappointing, but just to be able to still run and compete keeps me going. Maybe it’s time to forget the competitive side of things and just run for enjoyment.
I say from the Regionals competition to Worlds competition test them all! If caught make it a standard 5yr ban and they pay for the next test, this way they’ll think twice about using.
What *I* don’t get is this (and correct me if I’m wrong):
There are banned substances that you’re *allowed to take* as long as you have a doctor’s prescription.
I agree with Keith, Val has been a part of track in the N.E. for as long as I can remember, I will welcome his return when it occurs.
To Anthony Treacher; like all that mass condemnation buisness do you, how about this , You are publicly and repeatedly an ass on this website.
Well I must be REAL DUMB, all this time I thought the only performance enhancement drugs in masters sports was Viagra…..
Exactly. Leave it out Anthony, didn’t you know it’s okay to cheat if you are one of Tony Plaster’s mates?
Rather than attacking Anthony’s opinion, which to an unbiased outsider seems fair and accurate, why don’t you comment on the actions of the cheat you are defending? More comfortable for you to avoid the issue entirely and debate the personalities in the comments section I suspect.
Bloody hell, cheating for a masters event – that takes the biscuit. What next? Elbowing other parents out of the way in the guest 100m at the kids’ sports day?
Let’s have a caption competition for the first picture in this post – the picture on his face is priceless.
Tony Plaster, why would you ‘welcome his return’? The guy’s a cheat! I don’t care what harm he does to himself, but he’s stolen titles from his fellow athletes through means that are illegal, unethical and premeditated. I’m glad I’m not in the N.E if that’s the attitude of its athletes!
Drug doping for masters? Time to let go of the past, dude…
I have always liked Val, but I do not understanding this great rush to welcome him back, This revelation comes as no surprise as one of the people that has competed against him over the past decade. I find it pathetic that he felt the need to take PEDs to enhance his performance as a masters track athlete. Our sport has a bad enough reputation at the olympic level, now this shadow is going to follow the rest of us who work hard and perform well cleanly. What is one of the biggest travesties of this is the other guys who will lose their medals from Lahti as a result of his cheating.
I hope this will be a warning to the others who may have similar thoughts.
Val, you have natural talent and didn’t need to do this. I will welcome your return because of your support for me (regarding the 4×4)during the 2003 WMA. Peace
When someone makes a career out of winning and is then caught “cheating”, I can’t help but think of all the “clean”, “second place” finishers or worse yet the “fourth place ” finishers who worked really hard only to get robbed of a proper podium spot by this person…it’s just sad.
At this age if you have to cheat you should be banned for the rest of your life.
I also don’t think he is the only one But who knows
I am not a track athlete but have friends in the master’s community and enjoy reading this blog and do so faithfully. As an outsider, it is very discouraging to hear people support such unethical decisions and motives. This man could be a great guy but why do people think it’s okay to so eagerly welcome someone back who has taken so much from other, hardworking, deserving athletes? Kind of disturbing….
Cheater never Win and Winners never Cheat
Before everyone decides to dogpile on Mr. Barnwell, there are a few important things that should to be taken care of first. The WMA needs to immediatly issue new medals to the second, third and fourth place finishers of any races Mr. Barnwell won himself or as part of a relay team. Delete any records that may have been broken or put on a all-time list for that meet. Does he need to issue an apology? Yes, but I believe it shouldn’t be a public one. It should be personal. A phone call or letter to his teammates, the athletes he deprived of standing on the podium as actual World Champions or better placings on the podium and finally to himself. I’m tired of seeing athletes in the news and television with sincere, or insincere apologies of indescretions or lack of good judgement they’ve committed, to a sanctimonious public who for the most part have made up their mind about that athlete in the first place and could care less, or would never forgive them to begin with, other than to just see someone grovel at their feet. He did not cheat anyone from competing at a national or world championships because as it stands now, there is no qualifying standard to compete at them to begin with. If he cheated previous to the world Championships, that is his cross to bear whether he should speak out publically about it or not. Mrs. Raney got it right on one part when she wrote,”Why would a masters trackster use banned substances? Money, fame, glory?” There is no money in Masters T&F as in the Open categories like the Visa Series, etc. But there is a great deal of notoriety involved with being an elite Masters athlete. Ken Stone writes about it daily right here on this website. We can’t get enough of hearing about the Phil Raschkers, Nadine O’Connors and Christel Donleys of the masters track and field world for their outstanding achievements. In my own opinion, I believe that issues of using banned substances in Masters athletics are soley based on self image and worth. The realization that the body is not responding as one thinks it should. They realization that one is getting older and the body is breaking down, sometimes at quicker rates than we think it should. The fact that we’re closer to the end than the beginning. I know for most of us competing, this may not be an issue… but for some, it’s all they have. The other reason I don’t want a public apology from Mr. Barnwell is I don’t really care to know why he chose to use a banned substance. He used it, and that’s all I need to know. It’s a personal issue that I really don’t need to know about. Only Mr. Barnwell does. I just hope his team mates and friends don’t completly ostracize him from their friendship. That they can forgive him and help him move forward. Even though banned, I’m sure Mr. Barnwell can still be of service in helping coach or train athletes and that they may be able to learn from his mistake. I’m sure that for the masters athletes out there that say winning isn’t everything and we do this for the enjoyment of being able to be active and have some commeradery at meets, finding some forgiveness won’t be an issue. For those of you feeling screwed in some way by Mr. Barnwell’s actions or just plain judgemental as is the norm in this society, there’s nothing he could ever do to be in your good graces again, so it’s really not that important. I’m sure Mr. Barnwell is not feeling too good about himself at this time. If you are one of those that can forgive, let him know how you feel. Because I’m sure there will be those that are going to butcher him , either here, in person, or somewhere else. In parting, I also believe that at national or world championships, the top 3 finishers should always be tested for banned substances as done in the Olympics. I think some would be shocked as to who’s clean and who’s not.
As Milton alluded to, I think there is WAY more use of banned substances in Masters track than people think.
Sorry folks, but he was playing in a system that has rules and he willingly broke them for what ever reason and should be held accountable. I tell my 7yr old if you can’t play by the rules then don’t play. To be fifty something and make a decision to cheat your fellow competitors is pathetic. We don’t need people like that in the game…period.
At the top picture he is looking as seeing a problem.
I’d like to see some discussion of what “Lou F” had to say above:
“What *I* don’t get is this (and correct me if I’m wrong):
“There are banned substances that you’re *allowed to take* as long as you have a doctor’s prescription.”
Isn’t the irony of Val Barnwell’s situation that he could probably have gone to a doctor and got a diagnosis of “testosterone deficiency” – and presumably could then have won a medical exemption?
I’d like to know how many *legally* “medically-assisted” athletes are competing at the world masters championships.
If he’s your friend, offer him the help he needs so he can learn what decency and integrity mean.
He should return all the medals he stole, and all the “records” he “set” should be deleted.
Why should he be allowed to compete again when he has no interest in fair competition? He played the masters’ athletic community for fools all these years and accepted congratulations and plaudits he didn’t deserve.
Everyone who is condeming Val forever has that right but those who will welcome him back, have that same right. Remember folks, this is America,land of second chances for everyone and for nearly everything. After Val has served his time, he has the opportunity to start fresh and if he blows it then a lifetime ban will resolve future concerns
Much of the righteous indignation seems excessive to me. Val jeopardized his health to enhance his ability to perform his hobby. A cost-benefit that the majority of us do not see the same way. Some people compromise their jobs, some compromise their marriages, come compromise their children — no rules against hurting others. Some like Val compromise themselves. How about some righteous indignation for the workmates who cover for the afternoons out of the office? The kids who get neglected a few times a week? The spouse who vacations at track meets?
Or how about some forgiveness and humility — we all hurt somebody when we train the way we do.
Barnwell didn’t just jeopardize his health. He stole from every person he competed against. He is a shameful cheat.
If he has any interest in “starting fresh” the first step in his redemption is to admit for how long he was cheating and return any medals he won.
first off, i’m a teamate of tony plaster, and a friend, and proud to be. secondly, i’m from the northeast…nyc born, new jersey schooled rbc hs and shu university…i’ve made it my home and raised my family here..i’ve been involved in this great sport my whole life…i never stopped..in fact i hobbled to participate in the nj masters indoor championships a couple of weeks ago, after missing outdoor season for the first time in my life. i couldn’t stay away. i’ve seen val compete many times through the years and feel bad about what he did…did he make a mistake ? of course he did. should he be banned for life ? i don’t believe so. i challenge anyone out there, to tell me that they never made a mistake , or that somewhere along the line they never got a second chance . to me this sport is fun…that’s why i’ve done it for as long as i have. i never liked cheaters, and still don’t…but my nature is that to forgive and press the odometer to zero. to all who’ve been beaten by val, i would think that you would welcome his return, if for nothing less than to race him clean and maybe whup his ass !
Mr Barnwell, I don’t think what you did was right, but I will be the first to welcome you back. If you work more on your speed endurance, you would run under 11 flat easy.
I agree with Milton Girouard. Her writes very differentiated.
I personally think a lifetime ban is appropriate. You’ve had your chance, you blew it and cheated, now move on to something else. However, a 2-year ban might have the same result. Anytime I hear the name Val Barnwell, the word “cheater” is going to be associated with it. His reputation is tainted forever.
For him to come back after two years, it will be a loose-loose situation. If he still does well, people are going to assume he is still cheating, and will be shunned because of it and the results tainted. Even if he is clean or claims to be, I won’t believe it now.
If he comes back and is a fast as the rest of us mere mortals, it will prove he was only as fast as he was, because of the doping, and will most likely quit out of embarrassment. He’s a nobody without the drugs.
I just hope the 2-year bans ends up being just that, and hope he isn’t able to sneak into some local meets under a fake name and still race.
Just my opinion, but as someone who has coached weightlifting for nine years, I’ve had it with these cheaters. And to now see it in masters track and field really pisses me off!
Pino Pilotto, you being an Italian and not really understanding the nuances of a foreign language, I have an instinctive sympathy with you. I also well understand Milton, who has been friendly and stood up for me in the past.
But look, the truth is that this kind of Milton Girouard friendly, oh so sensible middle-way, compromising approach will get us nowhere. And forget the idiots on the other side who assert that they also live in NE USA and they have known Val Barnwell all their lives, that he is good guy, blah, blah, blah.
Val Barnwell is a simple cheat, more or less a criminal, and you Americans first and foremost should condemn him as such. Nobody is asking Val to recant Ă la Tiger Woods (God really forbid – I would even prefer him to stand up like a man and say he did it because he wanted to and tell us to get stuffed). But we active masters athletes have to stand up against doping in our sport and stop it once and for all.
So now, just when I was mulling it over and deciding I what I really wanted is a lifetime ban, comes Scott Meier’s piece – advocating a lifetime ban! Scott that was great. Thank you.
We masters athletes have it in our power to ensure that there is a lifetime ban for doping in masters athletics. There may be many stupid things with the WMA set-up outside IAAF. But one of the (very few) advantages is that WMA could, independently of IAAF and the national governing bodies, unilaterally decide that doping offences carry a lifetime ban applicable to WMA and national masters meetings. Let’s do that now or soonest and set an example to the sporting world.
The idea that some organization is going to “clean up” masters sports is absurd – who is going to pay for that? Besides, one can just find a doc to provide “treatment” or cycle PEDS between major events. I’ve been competing in masters sports (cycling, lifting, track) since age 30. Barnwell’s case is no big surprise. Coming from an amateur background, I realized early on my chances of beating world class athletes who are willing to dope into their 30s/40s/50s and beyond to win are slim to none. So, I train hard and shoot for personal achievement. I avoid teams, association politics and attention whores. At the end of the day, I can stand behind my results.
Some of you are confusing TUEs with PEDs. WADA makes a distinction between a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) and a PED Performance Enhancing Drug. TUE’s allow athletes to compete who take an otherwise prohibited substance for a legitimate medical purpose. It just allows them to get into the statistically normal, healthy range. So it’s a medical exemption not a medical advantage.
TUE’s require three specific conditions. 1)The athlete has to have significant health problems without the medication 2) Would have “no significant performance benefit from the prohibited substance.” 3) There’s no reasonable therapeutic alternative to the prohibited substance.
So most Masters and open runners who get TUE’s are not trying to get an advantage, just an even break.
Larry. No confusion here. A Therapeutic USE Exemption (TUE) enables an athlete to use a Performance Enhancing Drug (PED). Fact. Irrespective of whether the athlete is trying to get an advantage or not, he/she may therefore have an advantage. That is unfair. Time to give the ‘healthy’ athletes an even break. Do I understand that you oppose a declaration of TUE use we are proposing? I thought it was a good idea.
to mr treacher : i take exception to you calling me an idiot. i never met you and don’t know you at all except for your posts on this site.i think that those who know me will say that i am a gentleman, an a fierce competitor. i never said that val was a good guy. i did say he was a cheat. i guess the real difference between you and me is that you never made any mistakes…i have. ” to err is human…to forgive is divine ” all i am saying in so many words,is that i am a christian, and believe in forgiveness … i believe in second chances. there seem to be an inordinate amount of “perfect ” people out there. i am not one. at this stage of the game a two year ban to me would seem like a lifetime. i don’t know if i could muster up the energy to make a comeback two years from now, let alone living in shame in the meantime. if the rules stipulated a lifetime ban, then there would be no discussion. but as it is, the two year ban is it and that’s what it is.it would be my pleasure to meet you someday, so that you could draw your own opinion of me aside from this site…maybe you could give me some tips on improving myself to become more perfect…and less forgiving
Mr. Treacher, I hope your stand is as firm when your health takes a turn for the worse and you have to choose between a TUE and giving up a sport you love to run around the park.
Just to gum things up a bit more: Val Barnwell is listed in the results of the 2/21/2010 USATF-New Jersey meet, and also in the results of at least one other meet after his “provisional” ban went into effect last December. Does a provisional ban allow you to continue to compete for USATF titles until the provisional status is lifted? Should the two-year ban run until 2/21/2012, two years after his last competition? I don’t want to pour salt on his wounds; I’ve competed against him and had my doors blown off every time, but I do welcome him back after he’s served his time. In the meantime, I hope he’ll find a way to serve the sport over the next two years and give something back.
Unfortunately, our sport is rife with dope cheats and I have seen and competed against way too many of them. As I have stated several times before, it is easy to spot them if you know what to look for.
1. Freakish looking muscles on bodies that are well past the age when natural testosterone begins to decline.
2. Acne on the arms, back, shoulders, and chest.
3. A red or purple tint to the skin…slightly different from a bad tan or a sunburn.
4. Distended (bloated), but still muscular abdominal wall.
To Mr. Al Cestero. Sorry. I did not personally call you, or anyone, an idiot. Mind you your buddy Tony Plaster did call me an ass here. But I am used to that sort of thing here and on the forum. In the heat of the moment, I was a bit miffed with the usual attacks on me combined with kind words towards Mr. Barnwell.
I may be a gentleman too. I would be delighted to meet you sometime. Sincerely.
To: Mr. Dave Brown. Rather than apply for a TUE to compete, I would choose to run around the park.
If, against all probability, I were to compete with a TUE I would be prepared to disclose it to my fellow competitors. That is actually a useful idea and is worthy of more serious discussion.
I agree with Lovell Butler or at least with one other person on here that he should be banned for life or at least 5 years and have to pay for a drug test EVERY year he completes for 5 more years. I have completed in the Master Track 60, 100 and 200 meter sprints for 7 years or so. I am a personal trainer and have trained the fastest High School athletes in Ohio, Michigan and some have been in the top 8 in the Nation. I have been in bodybuilding and been around that type of environment for years. I know what the human body is capable of and knows what it should look like. I have seen Val several times over the years along with other Master’s athletes and I can tell you that I can spot an athlete very easily that is taking steroids or even performance enhancing supplements that you can buy in the back of magazines or even GNC. I could tell he was along with many others include women. IT IS OBIVIOUS! You can not get that ripped, have that large of muscle mass and have performance at the level unless you are taking them. When I say this I mean if you have all three of these characteristics then you probably are taking them. Now there are some athletes that do outstanding times and marks that are not, like Bill Collins!!! He does not look overly muscular in mass size, or ripped as severe as the ones I am talking about. I seen a woman that was 60 plus that has bigger than me and much more harder, yeah right she is not taking them! When you get to 50 your muscles lose some of their hardness. When Val took of his warm-up outfit at the Indoor Nationals last year, IT WAS OBIVIOUS! I completed against him in the 60 and the 200, I was in both of the finals and prelims with him I got fourth in both. I feel what the other feel about not get a medal. I worked hard along with others. I can tell by looking at the other athletes and watch the way they warm up and run that they have done hard work. I admit I didn’t work as hard because just the warm-ups get to me, but I did not go the performance enhancing drugs along with others. Sorry but I also think that the metals should be taking away from the rest of the relay team. It is sad that they should lose out because of their hard work, but the relay team won under illegal substance and would not done the time they did without it. Second, third, fourth and so on should be move up a place!!! I am sure there are going to be other athletes jumping on me for this statement but this is my thoughts and I have a lot of years experience being around people this route. It is sad that a person has to do it to win. On your personal goals of weight lifting, speed and explosiveness and MANHOOD, for lower level of testosterone at moderate levels from a doctor maybe. But when you are competing against other people, NO IT IS JUST WRONG, CHEATING AND UNFAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unlike open track, 2 year bans are ridiculous when we all know in Masters track you get a fresh start every 5 years in new age groups.
I played football at a pretty high level back in the 70′s. Several of my teammate were doping. I know that they knew what they were doing was wrong. I don’t know if they knew that their lives would be shortened as a result. Unfortunately they’re no longer around to ask. 4 good friends gone way too early because they wanted a little glory that they felt nature denied them.
It’s just not worth it. If you can’t win on your own, sneak an underweight implement into an all-comers meet. You’ll be better off in the long run.
Leaving my name off of this. If you knew who I was you could figure out who my friends were. Their families have suffered enough.
Looking at val winning the 100mtrs and the 200mtrs at the world championships in lahti finland and then him bowing in front of the spectator stand taking the plaudits and me admiring what a great athlete he is.
What a pity he had to revert to cheating.I hope the athletes that were 4th in those events get their much desereved medals and I hope that includes the relay teams.
What Val and all other drug cheaters don’t seem to get, and I guess what a few of the posters here seem to be missing, is the stain he’s left behind on the track. When the cheaters are gone, their names erased, the doubts still linger, the questions remain. Who else? Who’s next? And that’s not fair to the legitimate and impressive performances that athletes make. Especially masters, but once again we’re all painted with the same brush. I’ve met Val and I’m pretty sure he didn’t intend to mess up the track for the rest of us, but that’s what happens. Drug cheaters soil the records, past and future, and call into question any results of not only other Masters but anyone who runs fast, or long, or improves their time or distance, or even bulks up. “See, everyone cheats.”
Recently, when a masters world record holder got injured there were rumors of “that’s what happens when you’re juiced.” We hear that no one “that age” can jump that high or run that fast or throw that far unless. People point to a couple of masters world record holders or national champions who they’re sure must be on drugs. The only evidence? Because they’re fast; and that someone else has cheated before.
An unfortunate and all too common response to Usain Bolt’s incredible performance was “He must be on drugs; everyone is.” Or “Oh, please don’t test positive.” Lost for some was his wonderful smile, outright joy and playful exuberance at being fast, and the love and respect he has for this sport. All that gets immediately colored by suspicion. So after all the cleaning up this sport tries to do, scrubbing the names out of the record book, trying to rehabilitate its image, the stain remains. Val didn’t just embarrass himself, he’s tainted the sport; and for that reason, a two year ban seems way too short.
Mr. Barnum, There are always going to be those who speak with jealousy or poorly of athletes that do remarkable things. That’s not because of people using steriods , that’s becasue it’s human nature. If it’s not steroids , it’s something else. Baseball’s Roger Maris got booed, written about poorly in the papers and crap from his own fans in N.Y. when setting the single season home run record because they liked Mantle better because of his popularity and wanted Mickey to break The Babes H.R. record, not some shy, quiet Christian guy. Why would you care or worry about what any other person has to say about your great performance?? Are you competing for the praise and acceptance of other athletes, or because there’s nothing better that you’d like to do than get on that track and compete. You’ll never please everyone…ever. You can be Mr. Clean life, go to church, donate, vollunteer your time, tell good jokes and someone will think your a jerk or up to something… screw them. Enjoy your life and give your great performances…let’em talk all they want. In a wierd way, you should be kind of flattered if they think your hard work that paid off in a good time or distance is thought to be performance enhanced. It means you kicked some serious butt and did something they’ll never be able to do! :~)
Response to Steve Hieskell’s comment # 5 – Sir, your statements are 100% correct. Simply put, too much muscle with not body fat at an advance age is one of the clear signs of drug use. Other signs inclue; acne, red/purple tint to skin, and distended (bloated), but muscular abdominal wall.
Like Steve Hieskell (comment 45), as a personal trainer myself, I have witnessed hundreds of people who take drugs to gain muscle. To the trained eye, like Steve, I can go into most gyms and tell you who is natural and who is taking Performance enhancing drugs. In masters competitions, it is even easier to spot because these people stand out like a sore thumb by the type of muscle they develop and the water retention in it.
Case in point….has anyone seen the latest “Rambo” movie that Stallone did at age 60? As soon as I saw his face, I said “he’s on HgH”. And then when I saw his body, it was ridiculous. He was 25 pounds more muscular than when than incredible shape he got in at age 35! Bad for him that he got caught with a suitcase full of HgH and syringes while entering Australia recently.
As masters, some of us train every bit as long and as hard as a drug user, right? Then why don’t we look like them? Take a guess. In your 50′s and 60′s, you just can’t look like someone 25, body-wise without drugs. It’s impossible.
The integrity of our sport depends on all of us banding together to have zero tolerance for illegal drug use. And unfortunately if you have a doctors prescription to obtain it legally, I say that go ahead and exercise for your fitness and enjoyment, as you normally would. The competions though, would be off limits.
Mr. Steve Kemp,
Let me start by saying Sir, I have not ever used performance enhancing drugs nor will I ever use them. That being said I am not Rambo and it was basically obvious to all that Stalone was most likely using some type of drug, not just to you. You being some type of “personal trainer” does not make you some expert on how someone can or can not look at a specific age. You may generalize if you like but do not say it is impossible for someone to look 20 years younger than they are because I know it is possible! Just because a athlete looks a certain way does not mean he is taking drugs. I have been accused, of course behind my back of drug use because, I guess, of how I look and my performances. I have researched, developed and implemented training methods for the last 20 years and done correctly and consistantly anything is possible. I tell my athletes nothing is imposssible only that which has not been accomplished “YET”…….Your not the Steve Kemp that was team mate at ASU are you. Have a Great Day, Sully —Great job Mike Waller!!
Whoa, there, Mike. I just looked you up and you aren’t in the category I was talking about. I was being specific in my comments. As should you. Sorry you get accused of things you didn’t do. I went to Michigan State. And just so you know, I look at other things besides just musculature when I utilize my observations like skin tone. Even you, as a non drug user cannot hide your age, even though you are only in your 40′s. Mid fifties, and sixties, it’s not possible without drugs to change that either. I can have a conversation with you sometime if you want to know more what to look for.
And congratulations for your efforts!
Ok, I kinda had a feeling that some athletes that are not taking steroids or performance enhancing supplements that look good were going to jump up on what I said or what maybe somebody else might say. I am in very good shape, Placed 2nd in Mr Ohio Masters Natural Bodybuilding championships in 2006 and can do somethings in weight-lifting that are hard for some teenagers to do. But again what I am saying it there is a certain look when someone is abusing these drugs and you can see it and sometimes see it in their eyes, you know who you are. Mike Waller and Mike Sullivan I do not think are taking these supplements. So if you are not, then try not to worry about what I stated. These guys I can tell did the hard work, much more than I did, I know I could see it and feel it. Hopeful you guys that are in awesome shape and are doing the work will not take offense to me. I am going to try to go to nationals and am going to run in a state meet get my time down. I can tell you right now I have not did the work and suck in regards to conditioning and I will be lucky if I don’t hurt myself trying. I want to hand it to all of you that have done the work, I have not had the time. But if I don’t make it I wish the best to all of you, especially the other members of the relay team that Val was on. Good luck to all.
To Steve Kemp and Steve Hieskell, I totally understand what you are talking about when you say there are certain physical characteristics to men and women who take performance enhancing drugs and it is true that they show those charateritics after use of PED’s. But your treading in dangerous waters when you say it’s the end all, be all, way to know for sure. You put a certain group of people in a negative light that could be genetically gifted through their genes of Mesamorph body type parents, family line or heritage/race. People who suffer natural hypertention that can have watery eyes and bloated water retentive look but are still muscular through regular training. African Americans and Hispanic athletes that have a yellowish tint to the white of their eyes also associated with PED’s. Muscular athletes that have bloated abdomins due to one too many beers (ME!! LOL). I’ve seen distance runners who tested positive to PED’s that showed no sign of over muscular development and are ripped. Should they be fat and kind of plumpy to pass the eye test? If what you are saying is absolutely true, I would be the first to write a letter to the USATF suggesting to have them pay both of you a handsome fee to determine whether or not athletes are juiced as they register for Championships meets and you both visually give them the once over as they walk by the both of you to pick up their packets. Profiling is not the way to judge athletes or human beings in general, even though some may have those very traits you mentioned, because they can be caused by many things not associated with performance enhancing drugs. Actual testing is the only way to go. As in our regular life, we should’nt profile people to be criminals based on the clothes they were, hair cut, manner of their speech or color of their skin. Some of the biggest criminals and crooks we know were well spoken, honest looking and worn suits and ties to work every day. Just ask the clients of Bernie Madoff who lost millions of dollars.
To Mike Sullivan,
Do a google search: “HgH users and skin tone”. You will see what I am talking about in my previous comments. HgH has been widely touted as the fountain of youth and I know individuals who have lost 60 and 70 pounds of blubber and less than a year later look like they are carved out of stone. So, yes, I can tell if someone in their fifties and sixties is on HgH with close to 100% accuracy. Especially if I know them personally or saw a picture of them a few years before.
If you research a few articles on the effects of using this drug, you will be more apt to notice the things I mentioned and that are stated in the research available online.
Steroids were 70′s, 80′s and 90′s drugs of choice, although some athletes stack steroids with HgH even now.
I don’t care to be an expert in spotting drug users, Mike. But my eyes are open and I am sharing some research of how I found out the information…especially HgH.
Also, I actually do know of people who are biologically 20 yrs. younger than their age, of course. But my comments were that “I do not think someone in their 50′s and 60′s can look 25″.
I have read with interest some of the remarks you have all made. I am from the UK and competed against him in 3 World Champs. I was lucky enough to beat him in Gateshead in 1999 but was 3rd to him in Sindelfingen and 4th in Claremont Ferrand.
In Sindelfingen Val ran 7.32 or 7.34 to win. 2 years later in Linz semis 7.14 another 2 years later 7.18 I think to win in Claremont and break the WR. The following year he breaks WR again with 7.13. I have pics of Val in Claremont which I used to show students how good a body a 50 year old can have with virtually no fat and wonderful muscle definition( I am a personal trainer) I trusted Val who was friend as much as someone can be who lives in another continent. But now I feel let down and stupid. Val didnt just start taking drugs recently that is now obvious from his results. His body was in decline just like the rest of us but he took the cheats option. If I have to compete against him in the future I will but I will personally exclude from the final result. In my mind he no longer exists as a masters athlete even if the results shows he does.
I was one of the people who finished 4th in one of his races, but if I am asked I will say I finished 3rd even though I may not have a medal. I can understand his close friends standing by him but do not criticise people for condemning him also.
Steve Kemp, Thanks for the information! “Close” to 100% accuracy may be correct. Got to run, lift properly to build up HGH – will be 50 next year……Had planned to take in VAl in the 2011 worlds in Sacramento but …..Have a Great Day -Sully
to anthony treacher…thank you for your words… your apology is accepted .we all love this sport, and take things personally when something of this magnitude is brought to light. through the years,i have seen athletes that appear to be juiced..in fact a few years back, at an eastern regional championship meet, i sat and spoke to a gentleman that was complaining about this very thing as he pointed to a competitor that looked the part, and continued to be beaten by him..he was very frustrated at the lack of oversight in masters track…as i said before …the rules state what they do , and i’ll abide by them…it’s up to the rest of us involved to do our best to keep our sport pure. i stand by my feelings about the return of any cheat, and would welcome the chance to beat them if the field were leveled
Maybe Val Barnwell’s USA relay teammates would like to individually step forward here and voluntarily relinquish their relay gold medals?
Sitting in the stands among athletes from around the world at the 2007 World Championships in Italy, I listened to the conversations around me. Pointing at Val, they were saying: “Him, we would test, even out of competition. He runs faster now than five years ago. Looks different, too.” Pointing out this one, that one. Always pointing at Mr. Barnwell. I entered the conversation and soon it became a heated discussion with me defending my American teammates. Now what? Val not only did harm to himself and his fellow competitors, he did harm to all American masters athletes. And don’t tell me that some of us did not know or suspect. And please explain the silence of our sprinter superstars. Rick Riddle speaks in measured terms about PED’s, testosterone and HGH and ‘legally doped’. Larry Barnum speaks about TUE’s with PED’s and points out the conditions for TUE’s, showing us loopholes big enough for a doped-up power lifter to walk through. Only Allan Tisselbaum speaks his mind. Where is the passion, the compassion, the support for drug testing? No, I don’t want to hear condemnation of Val Barnwell but the reputation of all of us is damaged. This is a scandal and we should speak up.
Finally, some people are getting upset about drug use in masters track. Since I joined masters about 17 years ago, I have never seen any deterrent! Al Cestero, in his above comment speaks about frustration with a “lack of oversight in masters track”. It has always been the honor system. You don’t cheat because you are an honorable person. I get that.
But what do you do when a small percentage are not? I am going to throw a radical idea out there at the risk of being chastised by some people. But I can tell you that it will probably rid the sport completely of cheaters….here is what I propose…
As Stefan spoke about…there are mumblings at meets of who is cheating…and although there are innocents in that group, for sure, the majority of cheaters do look the part. I propose that if somebody suspects a cheater in their age group, they are allowed to request and pay for the drug test (anonymously). Let’s say that’s $200. A pittance compared what we pay to go to just one big meet. If the drug user comes up clean, we post the results and shut up about them. If they come up positive, the system worked. I will volunteer myself as the first person to be tested, if anyone wants to pay!
I have thought this through before I wrote this proposal and I honestly cannot see why anyone would have a problem with a test, if they are innocent. Isn’t it a compliment to think that some people think you are so good that you must be doping?
I need to make a slight correction in the above comment….insert “alleged” in front of the words drug user. “If the alleged drug user comes up clean”
it should say…of course
Steve Kemp. Oh lawdy be! You are on the ball. I was just considering an identical initiative myself – must be telepathy. Yes. I support the idea and the price. I am also personally prepared to pay $200 to get a drug test of an athlete I suspect of taking prohibited substances. Now this is doable. And it strongly supports the overall drug testing effort.
I have asthma and need to get a TUE for my medication. 99 % of the time I am okay without using my medication and in fact try to avoid using them unless absolutely neccessary. However, there are times when it is avoidable. (e.g. super humid days such as in Charlotte at Nationals in 2006) Am I suppose to give up a sport that I love because I need a TUE to allow me to take my med, which allows me to breath when I have an asthma attack?
I think that cheating is wrong and am happy that one has been caught and punished, but I just want to point out that having a TUE does not always mean you are being given an advantage against your fellow competitors. And it certainly does not mean you are a cheat.
Let’s stay on track here. My suggestion is to be able to test someone if we pay for it, anonymously, as stated above. If an athlete trains on HgH or steroids, they can up their hormone levels equal to a person in their twenties. That is unfair. People with asthma have enough of a disadvantage, so relax. You aren’t going to get targeted.
Sadly Lisa – and I dearly want to be friends – but to my mind the answer is yes. You should give up the sport you love if you cannot perform it without the assistance of additional substances that are on the prohibited list. Either that, or WADA should remove the more innocuous performance-enhancing substances from the prohibited list. No TUEs for anyone.
What about Lisa?
Where does it end ??? I take asprin each day for a irregular heartbeat am I cheating when I compete ???
We are discussing a serious topic here! But if you are very new to the sport, get yourself up to speed on the prohibited list. So if you get tested someday, you will be educated. Here is the IAAF website with the rules:
http://www.iaaf.org/antidoping/rules/prohibited/index.html
Anthony Martin. It starts and ends with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. To the best of my knowledge asprin is not on the list, so you are not cheating. But your posting may be abusing your “Anthony” privilege and high status.
I am glad that WADA has the insight to to set up protocols that allow for TUEs. This way elite, masters and youth athletes all over the world can still participate in a sport that they love even if they have to take some medication to treat this illness or condition. Clearly research was done on this issue and that is why on the WADA website there is a section dedicated to Therapeutic Use Exemptions.
Yes Lisa. On the WADA website there is a section dedicated to Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs). Our research indicates that TUEs are unjust, unnecessary and a thorough a waste of time and effort. We are proposing that TUEs disappear. Then you will not see TUEs on the WADA website any more.
Mr. Treacher I would like to know what events do you participate in and what age group are you currently competing in.
@ Anthony Treacher, could you please tell me who is the “our” you refer to when you say that “our research indicates that TUEs are unjust….”? Also can you direct me to where I can find the report on this research. Reading is another sport I enjoy. Thankfully, I dont need a TUE for that.
to lisa : you’ll be ok for reading…just no eyeglasses… all these posts, and the more i read, the more i realize how personal we are all affected by this. i think the majority of athletes , as we get older, need some medications to exist..some of us more than others. but there is a distinct difference when someone intentionally takes a substance that’s sole purpose is to artificially give an illegal edge…to tilt the playing field to their advantage, and cheat the rest of us. i don’t think that the powers that be, are meaning to force you to give up track and field because you have asthma. i know i would never want that to happen…steve kemp has a great idea and i would like to see something like that implemented. as far as the relay teamates of val barnwell, i believe the honorable thing to do, would be return the medals. even if there was no knowledge on their part of the doping…the stigma is there and i wouldn’t want an award achieved under those circumstances…
Mr. Treacher, Heaven forbid you become ill and need a medication that will require you to have a TUE. I am truly perplexed by your thinking.I am not sure why you would demand that those with a TUE not compete. Why would you limit their quality of life because of a medical condition? My roommate during the Kamloops Championships has a TUE. She uses her medication to keep her alive! I do not have a TUE as this point in my life but as I age there is always the possibility. I wish you all peace, love, running, throwing, jumping and TUE (if needed).
Val made a mistake (which of us hasn’t). He is some one who cheated (you never cheated at anything?) No need to try and destroy him. Lets keep things in perspective and be fair in our words and judgement.
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I am not attacking Lisa or anyone else, but Al Cestro mentioned asthma. Personally, I think that anyone that has had asthma for most of their life has the right to use a recuse inhlaer because it could mean life or death. However, I have heard of way too many professional athletes that are diagnosed with exercise induced asthma after they have already hit the big time and they are allowed to use albuterol inhalers.
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The link below is to the Time Magazine article; “How The Doctors Help The Dopers” The article talks about albuterol. The article mentions albuterol pills, as opposed to an inhaler.
The article is several years old, but it is very interesting.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101040816-678649,00.html
I like Steve’s suggestion, just dont know if I have $200 to pay for a test when we have testing procedures in place. But I guess I can always borrow the money or do a fun raiser.
Al, thanks for your support and understanding regarding health issues such as asthma. I am constantly watching the weather because so many triggers are out there, pollens, cold, heat, purfume etc. For me its not just about running, its about staying alive. I am so happy that I have managed to control my asthma and not have to use my meds but every so often something happens and you have to whip out that Proventil and inhale.
I don’t have any concern if people use inhalers for asthma or things like that (TUE) because my research shows that you don’t build lean muscle, reduce your recovery time between workouts or drop body fat unless you are taking HgH, steroids or PERFORMANCE ENHANCING drugs. And THAT is what I would pay $200 to test for on a suspected drug cheater.
Rest easy, those of you who have illnesses you are trying to treat. Nobody is going to invest $200 to chase after you….obviously.
And since I have not heard anyone object to the specifics of this proposal so far…let’s figure a way to move forward with it.
Mr. Kemp, I read your statment above, “I propose that if somebody suspects a cheater in their age group, they are allowed to request and pay for the drug test (anonymously).” Why hide your identity if you’re all so certain you can tell if someone is using PED’s by just looking at them or because of improved times, heights or distances? If you really want to take it that far, which I truly find hard to believe, and the athlete in question is tested to be clean…No, you should NOT be anonymous. It should be clearly stated that who ever is accusing another of cheating and is found clear of all accusations, the accusers name is to be stated on the request of the drug test paid for by the accuser and revealed to the athlete in question. Better yet, the test should be asked for by a group of 3 athletes or more. The cost would be distributed amongst the accusers and it would prevent a request from being implemented from a single athlete who happened to be a sore loser. If the accused athlete is tested positive, you’ve all accomplished your goal for the good of masters track and field and the athlete is suspended for 2 years or even indefinitly. If you are wrong, you and the other accusers will be named on this site, as well as the USATF website as falsly accusing another athlete of the use of a PED’s. You all will write a formal letter of apology to the athlete in question, forfeit your meet results and/or medals of the meet in question you competed against the accused and lose your right to ask for a another drug test request for a 1-2 year period. If any one of these criteria are not done, you are suspended from competing for 1 year. This way, you better well know for sure you are correct in your suspicions. You can’t just put another individual in that awkward situation with the stigma involved, knowing that a group of your peers are discrediting you and your performance, then if found to be innocent, go about your merry way as if nothing happened. Or make a request of such a test anonymously based on, as you stated earlier, “There are mumblings at meets of who is cheating” or as Mr. Waltermann stated about listening to conversations around him and one specific athlete stating,” “Him, we would test, even out of competition. He runs faster now than five years ago. Looks different, too. Pointing out this one, that one.” Even in the criminal court system you are able to face your accusers. You shall all be named if found to be incorrect so that the accused can look you in the face after being found clear of all accusations and speak his, or her mind to one, or all of you. I’m really wondering if you guys are just pulling our legs on this… The only way to do this properly as I stated before, is testing the top three finishers in an event of a World or National Championships. Then there is no singling out of an athlete because of physical stature or attributes and hiding after accusing another individual. Since all seem so adamant about wanting a more stringent drug testing procedure to be implemented, as a few who told me in the past to save up my pennies to travel to World championships and National meets, you all can take the same advice. Contact the USATF and WMA presidents about implementing this procedure, then pay the meet directors in higher entry fees to satisfy your quest in having fair and on a more level playing field competition.
Obviously, there is a lot to be said for time zone differences and a good night’s sleep
To Robert Thomas: I participate in the sprints up to 400m and Long Jump. I am currently competing in the M70 age group.
To Lisa: I only mentioned the pretentious word “research” because you did. “Our” refers to fellow masters athletes (and I was surprised to find how many) who also think “TUEs are unjust, unnecessary and a thorough a waste of time and effort.” The obvious does not require formal research to establish.
And Lisa we may even have something in common. My hay fever in the summer can be so bad that it has brought on asthma-like attacks. My summer season is hopeless. But I would never take a TUE for that. If I feel ill for any reason I just do not train or compete. Good advice incidentally.
To Al Cestero. Finally an American who dares state the blindingly obvious: that Val Barnwell’s USA relay teammates should give up their medals. WMA President Stan Perkins stand is an embarrassment for masters athletics. This sort of thing is why outsiders ridicule masters athletics.
To Marjorie: Because I am 70 I am familiar with illnesses. If I get an illness that would require me to have a TUE, I would not compete and I would gladly do something else instead. If your friend needs TUE medication to “just keep herself alive!” then she should absolutely not be competing in masters athletics. And I do not care how old/young she is. There are other things in life. Peace to you too.
To Jim: We are not trying to destroy Val Barnwell. How on earth could we do that. Masters Athletics and gold medals are no big deal. Nor is disgrace – look at Bill Clinton. Val will get over it. I just hope masters athletics does.
To JStone: Yes indeed. When I went to school in impoverished post-war UK in the 1940s and 1950s, the kids with asthma got excused sport. Now, with TUEs and the rest of it, the kids with asthma are the elite athletes. Funny isn’t it?
To Steve Kemp: Yes. Let’s move towards the specifics of “pay $200 to test for on a suspected drug cheater.” Excellent idea.
To Milton Girouard. Now my thoughtful friend, you have gone way over the top. Mr Kemp simply inserted the word “anonymously” and I am sure he did not mean it. I and others on this blog have clearly said we are prepared to cough up $200 and state our names up front for anyone to see to get a suspected drug user tested. And a negative drug test would not be “falsly accusing another athlete of the use of a PED’s” either. On your logic, an anonymous WADA tester would be guilty of the same thing and should be “punished” if the test turns out negative. Already formal targeted drug tests presume that someone has anonymously informed on the athlete. Otherwise I agree fully with you that the “accused” should know who is “accusing” him – only Steve Kemp’s suggestion is not really “accusing” is it? I agree it would be best to test the top three but that is not economically feasible. Let’s adopt an open mind to all ideas coming from the active masters athletes.
And that’s me for a while. I have other fish to fry.
Hi All
Stan Perkins has stated that the other members of the USA relay team of which Val was a member “will NOT have their medals taken back”. However, the wording from the WMAs own rules are as follows (these words were copied from their own rules.)
RULE 39
Disqualification of Results
1. Where an anti-doping rule violation occurs in connection with an in-competition test, the athlete shall be automatically disqualified from the event in question and from all subsequent events of the competition, with all resulting consequences for the athlete, including the forfeiture of all titles, awards, medals, points and prize and appearance money.
2. Where the athlete who commits an anti-doping rule violation under Rule 39.1 is a member of a relay team, the relay team shall be automatically disqualified from the event in question, with all resulting consequences for the relay team, including the forfeiture of all titles, awards, medals, points and prize and appearance money. If the athlete who has committed an anti-doping rule violation competes for a relay team in a subsequent event in the competition, the relay team shall be disqualified from the subsequent event, with all the same resulting consequences
for the relay team, including the forfeiture of all titles, awards, medals, points and prize and appearance money (if any).
It clearly states what should happen. Mr Perkins has seen fit to go against the rules of the governing body, and I would therefore call upon him and any others who agreed to this course of action to resign.
This is not meant to be a vedetta against Val and his team mates and I sympathise with them as it is not their fault , but we have rules for a reason and if the governing body wont treat this matter seriously then we may as well rip up the rule book and do anything we want.
Great job Anthony Treacher and Kevin Burgess!!!
Yesterday, I posted the following suggestion to another section of this blog, which I will summarize here.
1. The USATF board should approve a REAL ethics code (it currently has a conflict of interest policy that is calls an “ethics code”).
2. The ethics code would have basic requirements of members, such as competing fairly, competing within the rules, competing free of PEDs, competing with sportsmanship, and so on.
3. Membership requires agreeing to uphold the code, and accept the penalties for violation.
4. Those members who feel other members are violating this code can file a formal complaint, which is investigated by an independent ethics committee.
5. That committee can sanction the member, with penalties up to, and including expulsion from the organization. (You can’t compete if you are not a member).
6. Members sanctioned by the committee can appeal to the board.
This could be considered a “member benefit”: Being able to compete on a LEVEL PLAYING FIELD for medals and glory. Certainly not the case now in Masters Track, as Val would not have been caught and would have continued to win gold and set world records with impunity other than he competed in international championships where integrity is considered more important than in the U.S., which has acted with disinterest–contributing to this scandal and other undetected ones waiting to happen.
Note: USATF does not presently have an independent ethics committee anymore. I was a member of this 9-member panel until it was disbanded last year, likely as a result of being independent and doing its job. ‘Nother story in itself.
There are people who do not have exercise induced asthma who are competing athletes. I am one of those people. I also know that for the last 10 years I had my asthma under control and did not have to use any medications. In fact many of my friends until recently did not even know I had asthma. But I still got a TUE supported by medical documentation…just in case I got a sudden attack and need to use my inhaler. Fast forward to recently when I got Swine Flu and suffered severe respiratory distress. Mr. Treacher, you will be happy to know I did not try to train nor did I compete. I just focused on trying to get well and be able to breath. Now I am back on my meds (as much as I despise them). My times are not that great right now, while using the meds, but, I am happy that I got well enough to restart my training and be able to compete. The only edge I think I got from using advair, singulair and proventil is that I am alive and breathing well.
While asthma is one illness that requires TUEs there are many more and I am sure that most of the athletes who require TUEs are not trying to cheat.
When your ego is big enough and is calling the shots you will do just about anything it tells you. Val Barnwell has an ego the size of Texas. It’s no surprise he did what he did and I wouldn’t be surprised if he did it again. Once a cheater…always a cheater. I have no empathy or sympathy for this person…only pitty.
To Kevin Burgess: Well done. I was despairing of my British masters athlete colleagues. But the USA teammates relay gold medals thing is not settled yet. Prestige and egos are now involved. After all, why should a WMA officer listen to a masters athlete? Never happened to me. You are now probably earmarked for “Bringing the sport into disrepute” too. I am on the forum. Could you send me your e-mail address?
To Lisa: because I do not know you and do not compete with you, I do not care about your health or training or your competing with or without TUEs. Ideally I do not want TUEs at all. But in this imperfect world of TUEs, I would like to know which if any of my immediate competitors are competing with TUEs. Because it means that they are competing against me using an otherwise prohibited substance that is performance-enhancing, perhaps to my competitive disadvantage. I feel that information is my right and that I am entitled to it by paying my event entry fee. Peace and love.
Lisa, you don’t have to justify yourself to Anthony, or anyone else for that matter. (Other than WMA, of course.) You are competing within the rules.
Anthony, I disagree with your stance regarding TUEs, and until the rules are changed (and hoefully they are not), all competitors will have to live with it. I think you’d be surprised how many athletes over the age of 40 require a daily medication to live their lives in a safe and healthy manner. Some require a TUE and others do not. Though I disagree with you, I completely support your right to state your opinion.
The relay medals? They should be returned. The other 3 members of that relay did not commit any offense, but in fairness they cannot keep a medal or legal result because of the 4th member of that team.
Regarding Val Barnwell and his positive test? The rules state a 2 year suspension, and that’s what he received. He deserves it too. It took several posts, but finally several people have showed Val some compassion. He has brought shame to himself, but he did not commit a capital offense. He needs to serve his time and be allowed back, as the rules state. Does he deserve a welcome? I’ll leave that to his competitors. Welcome or not, it’s going to take a lot of guts to show his face at a meet again. I hope he is able to do it when the time comes.
Let’s move forward with what we all AGREE on. And stick to the point that we want drugs users out of our sport. What do we need to do now? Who do we lobby about this? I think the crux of the arguments, we do all agree on. Training with “Performance enhancing” drugs is what we want to eliminate.
Mr. Treacher, As much as you seem to be enjoying writing on this subject, I would still rather hear from Mr. Kemp about HIS use of the word “anonymously” used in the context of one athlete personally paying to have another athlete drug tested simply because of your own suspicions, that were used in two of his responses, #73 and #77. If he mis-wrote on one response, I understand it may have been a possible poor choice of words or a joke, but on two responses, I tend to think he believes what he is writing. I would hate for another blogger to re-interpret your writings on this site to tell us what you really meant about something you wrote. You may be correct, but let’s just give Mr. Kemp the honor of giving us his thoughts on his own writings. Mr. Kemp, I hope you take the time to write back. We can see you’re passionate about this subject. It’s interesting to see what the various ideas of masters athletes are on this. Sometimes the most extreme reactions bring out the rest of the congregation to give their two cents worth on a subject and maybe that catches the eye of certain high ranking officials as to what the concensus of the masses are on the subject. Not a bad thing…Hope to hear from you.
As far as Anthony Treacher (and the those who share the same belief) is concerned, it seems that a diabetic, who still competes and has his TUE for his insulin, is using a performance enhancing drug. The same goes for the asthmatic for their meds. Its a pity that some people think that. I am for eliminating the use of performance enhancing drugs but I have to say I am appalled at the dismissive way some people think of their fellow athletes legitimate health conditions. Its so easy for some to say just stop running.
I wish everyone continued good health and for my fellow legitmately TUE users, push on.
And just to be clear I abhor cheats and will do my part to help my sport. But from where I stand it seems that there are some people out there who think that having a TUE makes you a legitimized thief.
To Greg Theologes. That was OK and all very reasonable, my friend. Of course Lisa is competing within the rules. I have never said otherwise.
BUT as Steve Kemp is saying. How on earth do we athletes change things? It is just not good enough to sit on the fence, accept the status quo, just to appear oh so balanced and reasonable on internet blogs and forums. Anyone can do that. Costs nothing.
Immediately topical – we agree that Val Barnwell’s USA relay teammates should be stripped of their medals. WMA President Stan Perkins – in his wisdom – does not. Stan Perkins is making a mockery of our masters athletics and breaking his own WMA rules into the bargain. Must we accept that? How do we change an obviously stupid WMA decision? In other words what do we do next? Any ideas to CHANGE THIS Greg?
Just to get me deeper into the bad books I have sent a formal request to the WMA to have my 4th place in Claremont Ferrand upgraded to 3rd. I await my Bronze medal in the post(I dont think so) lol
I will keep you informed of the outcome.
DQ the USA relay team. That is on Val.
Test all medal winners at national & world events. Set up some type of independent lab system for national/world records at other events – at expense to the individual – sample to be taken within 48 hours.
You will have still have drug “experts” who cycle on/off and avoid detection, but it is a start.
It is not easy to get a TUE and the medicines are for asthma, diuretics and so on. As far as I know no testosteronlike anaboles. When your hormone levels change that is no illness, but just ageing, I think.
Anthony, I cannot think of any way to change an offical WMA decision, once it is made. One can only work to change future decisions.
BUT…the honorable thing to do would be for the other 3 members of that relay team to voluntarily return their medals. There is no way they can feel good about those medals or the race results.
YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT VAL,it was wrong,he,s paying for it,(2 YRS)if you ever spoke to hem,or know hem as a person.he,s a nice person,Val dont need anything to help hem run.nor do I ,but there are things that some runner take that should be banned,and its far more effective thin the addrinaline inhancesers that val took,the drugs that USAIN BOLT TAKES is ok but others are not,it dont make you any better runner,you still have to have some ability to run,so if you are not on world class levvel please dont hate,hope that the 2 yrs is enough ,thank you see you at PENN RELAYS.
to Lisa: Your input as a TUE user is valuable. Would you allow the fact that you are competeting with a TUE to be known to your competitors? Would you allow the details of your TUE to be known to your competitors?
Those relay medals. There may not yet have been a formal WMA decision to allow Val Barnwell’s USA relay teammates to retain their gold medals. Let’s maybe wait a while and not jump the gun.
Hi again
Hopefully this will be my last post on this subject as I do not want it to become all consuming and become bitter and twisted. ( Hooray I hear you say)
But my first point is to Greg in post # 100. And I quote “I cannot think of any way to change an official WMA decision, once it is made.”
Greg the OFFICIAL decision has already been made and it is written in the Rule book which clearly states that the medals should be returned. Anything contrary to that would require a change in the laws that govern our sport. (See post # 86)
With regard to those people who have supported Val and will welcome him back after his ban. How many of you will actually have to compete against him. I would be interested to know. Personally I am not sure how I will react when or if it actually happens.
What we should consider is that in 2 years time when the ban is over and we are all another 2 years older and 2 years slower, will the advantages that Val has gained with his drug abuse still be giving him advantage as he has basically slowed down the aging process. If he continues to train hard he will still be able to hold onto much of that muscle that he has gained over the last few years. Is this a fair playing field?
Also people have said that Val made a “mistake”. And asked “have any of us never made a mistake”.
What is a mistake?
To me it is an error which was made accidentally and not deliberately, something that I would try NOT to do again in the future. Something that might happen once and I would learn from the error.
Let’s not confuse this with what Val did. What he did was PREMEDITATED, CALCULATED and OVER A PROLONGED PERIOD. If this is a “mistake” then NO
I have never made a “mistake”
OK rant over going to get back to some hard training and show people what can be done by hard work alone. That is if my body holds up.
Good luck to everyone for the coming season.
Best regards
Kevin Burgess
British Record Holder M45 60 metres in 7.18 (clean and natural)
Kevin, I was thinking exactly the same as you when people referred to Barnwell’s ‘mistake’.
Not only may he retain some of the gains he made whilst on drugs, but he could also continue his doping during his ban, ready for a big comeback in two years time.
Unfortunately I can only see drug use becoming more common as masters becomes more popular.
Way to go Kevin I agree completely, actually in bodybuilding they even take hair samples and lie detectors test, because they know someone could have been take these performance enhancing supplements so far back that they cannot be tested with blood and urine samples. They try to catch someone that has done them in the past also. They know that an athlete can get so big, fast and have so much dense of muscle mass that it gives them an edge even long after they have taken them. They can jump a person’s body up years above the others competing against them. Mistake Ha! It was deliberate, you guys that think that are a joke, sorry, but this getting out of hand and it is sick that people can justify this behavior. If I somehow end up going to national I am sure I will have people on my butt about my statements, I don’t care I have been dealing with and been around athletes and people at gyms and all sport like this for decades and it is getting worst, just look at our young kids what they are doing, we never had this or even thought about when we were growing up it. What kind of an example are we setting here? Look at some of the older s athletes in baseball, football…..Idiots that are taking them and getting caught and still being allowed to play sometimes. I say BAN THEM FOR LIFE, they can boost their egos up in the gym or on their own time, some activity that won’t affect another person or maybe they should all go into professional bodybuilding where everyone is doing it, but that still is not going to help our young children’s image of what is acceptable END IT NOW and for good, end of story!. I am finished with this issue, you guys can fight over what I just said, just think about the future of our sport, our image and the children looking up at us!
Oh and if I will make to Nationals I will pay $50 toward a test of myself, because I am sure someone is going to get pissed off at me from what I just said and request one, if they governing body decides to start the program this way. So you will only have to come up with $150, nice of me isn’t? Another point! Step up guys! GIVE BACK THE METALS, common sense and it is the rule!
Hi
I know that I said my last post would be MY LAST, but something is eating at me.
The reason,as I said once before, that I have been so vocal is that I truely liked Val when I met him. He was always friendly, polite, complimentary and encouraging. I put the guy on a pedistle when it came to Masters Athletics. This is why I have taken it so personally.
My message is to Ken Stone.
Is it possible that through your web site, Val can maybe explain why and when it all started so that we can start to understand why such a talented athlete ( yes he was talented before he used drugs) felt the need to take this course of action.
If we got an HONEST account of the course of events then maybe when he returns it will easier for everyone concerned.
This is definately my last post.
Thank you and goodnight!
I applaud and appreciate the passion of Kevin Burgess, Steve Hieskell and Stefan Waltermann here. There are an awful lot of quiet people out there in the masters world though. I don’t believe it is because they are afraid of testing. I think they are more afraid of being labelled by giving their opinion about drug use in the sport that we ALL love.
The culture of drug use in sport, to this day is to stay quiet. For years, the HgH use by the McGwire’s, the Bonds, the Rodigriguez, the Clemens were known by their teammates and associates close to them. In many gyms throughout the world, steroids had been discussed openly for decades. But because of the insidiousness of those who use it, everybody kept quiet about each other, as users. The mass media only very recently jumped on the bandwagon to admit that athletes use PED’s.
So if only five or ten people here on this blog care enough about the integrity of our sport to speak up, while we have the momentum going of a discussion…that is pretty telling. We, as a group, do have the power to move forward and at least go through the motions to do more thorough testing on ourselves. It is obvious that it’s not just one person who took testosterone, HgH or steroids. Speak up or forever hold your peace.
Athletes Testing Negative for Prohibited Substances
Fourth Quarter, 2009
This list contains the names of athletes reported to USATF by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, as of the date of posting. The list does not contain the drug test results of the International Association of Athletics Federations or any other drug testing authority.
Abdihakim Abdirahman
Jennifer Adams
Kyle Alcorn
Lindsay Allen
Alexandria Anderson
Jeshua Anderson
Nick Arciniaga
Robert Arnold
Fiona Asigbee
Mikele Barber
Amy Begley
Matt Boyles
Ian Burrell
Nicole Bush
Jillian Camerena-Williams
Amber Campbell
Christian Cantwell
Xavier Carter
Damu Cherry
Bryan Clay
Will Claye
Kerron Clement
Leslie Coons
Jessica Cosby
Shawn Crawford
Lashinda Demus
Colleen DeReuck
Walter Dix
Leroy Dixon
Erin Donohue
Torri Edwards
Monzavous Edwards
Anthony Famiglietti
Allyson Felix
Kenneth Ferguson
Shalane Flanagan
Hyleas Fountain
Bridget Franek
Norris Frederick
Erin Gilreath
Marquise Goodwin
Joe Greene
Breaux Greer
Sara Hall
Trey Hardee
Dawn Harper
Erik Harris
Jason Hartmann
Mike Hazle
Britney Henry
Michelle Hickerson
Chris Hill
Michael Hoffa
Destinee Hooker
Cyrus Hostetler
Geoff Hull
Bershawn Jackson
Mark Jelks
James Jenkins
Carmelita Jeter
Chelsea Johnson
Lolo Jones
Deena Kastor
Mebrahtom Keflezighi
Ashlee Kidd
Bianca Knight
Lionel Larry
Jason Lehmkuhle
Breanna Lewis
Gia Lewis-Smallwood
Magdalena Lewy-Boulet
Julia Lucas
Porscha Lucas
Derek Mackel
Andra Manson
Rodney Martin
Gabrielle Mayo
Raymond McCormack
Erica McLain
Krista Menghini
Sally Meyerhoff
Jerome Miller
Josh Moen
Ammar Moussa
Marshevet Myers
Tim Nelson
Adam Nelson
David Neville
Katherine Newberry
Kristen Nicolini
Emily Nist
David Oliver
Kara Patterson
Darvis Patton
Jacob Pauli
Ilsa Paulson
David Payne
Kyle Perry
Jeff Porter
Virginia Powell
Jessica Pressley
Chris Randolph
Brittney Reese
Sanya Richards
Dathan Ritzenhein
Moushaumi Robinson
Liz Roehrig
Galen Rupp
Alice Schmidt
Jeremy Scott
Kami Semick
Ray Sharp
Steve Slattery
Calvin Smith
Shalonda Solomon
Wallace Spearmon
Justin St. Clair
Sarah Stevens
Wes Stockbarger
Jennifer Stuczynski
Christian Taylor
Dan Taylor
Matt Tegenkamp
Jamaal Torrance
Jorge Torres
Sheena Tosta
Tiffany Townsend
Stephanie Trafton
Morgan Uceny
Maggie Vessey
Jeremy Wariner
Alan Webb
Anna Willard
Rhuben Williams
Angela Williams
Derrick Williams
Karjuan Williams
Ryan Wilson
Russ Winger
Jessica Young
I am not coming to anyone’s defense, but the list will trigger just about anything. Val probably did not take anything that was not taking by these people who are still competing. It is all politics and you guys are using Val as someone to cast a stone.
Right on Steve. The masters athletes who are afraid of what other people think are the main problem. So those of you who have shown here that you are not afraid, please send me a one-liner e-mail with “Hi” (I am on the Forum) so that I have your e-mail addresses. That goes for any foreign masters athletes readers too. We have things to do.
Val also made a “mistake” that not only affected him but his relay teammates. They won the 4×4 by 8 seconds; and there were at least three other runners who could’ve given them the win if Val had only opted out and said his muscles were tight or that he was tired.
He’d already been tested before the relays, so he should’ve suspected he might be disqualified and that others would be hurt by his selfishness. His appeal seems to imply that he still doesn’t get that he’s tainted the sport.
I wrote yesterday on another blog concerning this subject.
1. All 1st place finishers at USATF santioned Nationals should be tested. Cost should be incorporated in fees charged to participants. That is for starters. “We need to learn how to walk before we can run”. Start the program and see how it works. Select “primary events” in track & field to keep cost down in first couple of years. Split evenly between runners and field events. Say twenty events at $500/each is $10,000 cost.
2. People on performance enhancing drugs at ANY AGE should not be permitted to compete at USATF events. People who must use PED’s, for any reason, have literally hundreds of other choices outside of USATF for competition on an annual basis.
3. This is a matter of DEGREES. The top level of competition is santioned and timed in a professional manner. Everyone ASSUMES that they are on a level playing field.
4. I repeat here what I’ve previously said: If the USATF feels that they need the money OR the participation of masters athletes who are on PED’s, then something is severely amiss in the governing body of the USATF itself. It would be better NOT to hold masters competitions at a supposedly higher and organized level than to allow participants to be “duped by the doped”.
5. The exclusion of PED users is NOT draconian. It is a FAIR practice. Mother never said that it was going to be easy!
To the Poster that listed all the names of people who tested “negative.” Ya gotta be kiddin’ me. A negative test means that no PED was found. These people were clean.
Wake up. Val cheated. It wasn’t an accident or a single time. It’s been going on for awhile. He clearly took and tested Postive for a PED. That’s not political and most of us are not just throwin stones. We’re trying to clean up a sport we love.
I have looked at the list of athletes who are currently testing negative and know that there are some who have at least one positive test under their belt. Whether it was intentional cheating, accidental cheating (eg Tori Edwards) some of these athletes will face a lifetime ban when next they are caught. There are cheats in all level of track and field and hopefully technology will catch up with them. Until then we have to utilize whatever system is in place by our respective governing bodies. I know that as Masters athlete we are now subject to out of competition testing, anyone knows how its going to work? Or does anyone know an individual who has been tested out of competiton since the new rules came into effect?
Ok so the word is that Val cheated. its over. let it rest Because I am getting sick of hearing That I the athlete needs to pay for a drug test because I place at Nationals F*** That. I pay enough money to go to this events and the USATF isn’t doing A god damm thing for the master Athlete there focus is on the elite athletes. So all you athletes that want to take a drug test you go right ahead I am not going to pay for a drug test when the USATF has money to give to elite athletes and not masters.
I don’t think its fair the drugs are in Our sport But I will say this I don’t care because I will Beat that ass with the drugs soon or later.
I have a suggestion lets replace “mistake” with “made a decision to cheat”!
Check out this photo from Claremont Ferrand. Why were officials not suspicious?
http://marinov.free.fr/2bgal/img/2008aubmardipm/DSC_1454.jpg
normal 50 year olds do not look like that!
Hi
In a previous post I said that I had asked to have my 4th place in Claremont Ferrand ugraded to the Bronze.
As expected this has been turned down. As Anything prior to the actual positive test cannot be changed.
So it would seem its official “its Ok to win medals and break WRs with the aid of PEDs, because you can keep them all until you get caught”
Seriously questioning whether I want to be part of an organisation that is happy to accept that.
I say political, because there are 3 famous distance runners who have tested positive and it has not been presented to the general public. It is very political when you have major endorsement and are the future of America distance running.
I understand your comment as you have a lack of knowledge. Some people that were listed are using Performance enhancing supplements. The media has a way of portraying what they want you to know.
The good thing is that the kenyans are still kicking the PED using athletes butt!!!!!!
I totally agree with Kevin Burgess.Especially that you can keep a WR is insane.There are many athletes out there who produce terrific results,even WRs,in small meets and never show up in bigger meets where there is a possibility on testing.WRs should be accepted only with negative doping-tests.Automatic test of for example the first 3 in championships is not very cleaver.Tests should be made on those who look “suspicious” and even outside the competition-period.Testing that way gives the best output for the testingcosts.
“Grandpa’s on the juice”…love it.
“Mom…why does dad look older than grandpa?”
How has nobody brought up the documentary “Bigger, Stronger, Faster,” which takes a fascinating look into PED use?
I think that performance-enhancing TUEs should be banned as well… I don’t care that your doctor thinks your testosterone or HgH levels are “low” based on statistics about what they “should” be.
At the same time, the idea that removing drugs creates a level playing field is similarly nonsense. What if I, like bodybuilder Flex Wheeler, had a genetic condition that resulted in an inability to produce myostatin (which then leads to abnormal strength and hypertrophy)? Clearly, I’d be at an advantage, albeit a genetic one.
While nobody would remove me from competition, if others didn’t know about my condition they would think I was on drugs, and if they did know, they would discount my performance.
This topic is way more complex than we would like and I’d bet that the odds of landing on an answer that satisfies all parties is about 0.
I hope that Steven Sashen IS NOT implying that Flex Wheeler’s abnormal muscle development and loss of a kidney WERE NOT related to his use of PED’s.
The link below is to a long article, in which Flex admits to taking steroids. He also admits that he took steroids after his doctors told him that he needed a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, I cannot find the other article, where Flex spills the beans and states, “my workouts went nowhere after I got off the steroids.”
http://www.ironmanmagazine.com/index.cfm?page=article&go2=1453&StartRow=1
Oh, I know Flex was taking steroids. But his lack of myostatin gave him a genetic advantage. I knew someone who has the same disease … this guy got bigger with the smallest amount of work possible. Not pro body-builder big, but we would tease him that his upper body workout was getting food to his mouth.
Flex’s kidney issue had nothing to do with steroids and was another congenital defect.
But, the issue is not specifics about Flex Wheeler… it’s about the fantasy of a “level playing field.”
“…it’s about the fantasy of a “level playing field.”
True. Barnwell is a member of an elite subgroup of athletes. Most of us could dope extensively and never approach his clean times. However, it makes it all the more egregious and personal to those who approximate his performances without PEDs.
His behaviour is really a shame, it’s a cheat to use drugs, all this makes me sad.
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