Val Barnwell blames sabotage, racial bias in his doping case
The United States Anti-Doping Agency has issued the American Arbitration Association’s “final order” in the Val Barnwell doping case from Lahti. And it’s a doozy. I’ve posted it here. Val’s defense speaks for itself — and he may never recover from this. Among other things, he says he was the victim of an “elaborate sabotage scheme perpetrated by unknown persons” and contends meet organizers targeted him for testing “due to his race.” Val also told the hearing panel that he was a Guyana Olympian. But according to this Olympic reference, the only Barnwell to compete in Olympic track was an Irishwoman in 1984. We also learn exactly what Val took. “Dr. Larry Bowers, the Chief Science Officer for USADA, . . . testified that the results were consistent with an injection or repeated or multiple oral ingestion of androstendione.” In other words, Mark McGwire’s drug of choice.
Val gestured to Lahti crowd after winning the M50 200. He was drug-tested shortly after this race. (Photo by Ken Stone)
Here is a summary of Val’s defense:
The Respondent testified at length about his commitment to running and the importance of his participation at the WM competitions. He was a former Olympian from his home country of Guyana, but participates as a USA team member in IAAF events and at the World Masters.
He denied taking any prohibited substances and contended that he was the victim of an elaborate sabotage scheme perpetrated by unknown persons. The Respondent had not checked the ingredients on any of the several supplements that he had admittedly taken. He testified that he had no knowledge of the 200Q WADA Prohibited List, the IAAF Anti-doping Regulations, or the World Masters Anti-Doping Rules.
He testified that he considered his medical information confidential and has not pursued any TUE. The Respondent testified that he participated in the World Masters for his own personal enjoyment and expressed dismay that doping controls were mandated at these events since the athletes had to pay their own expenses to attend.
He testified that the statement in the WADA Code advising an athlete that he or she is responsible for what goes in their body does not “belong due to the type of meet” that it is. The Respondent felt that he had been targeted to be tested at the meet due to his race. He also complained about the doping control officers.
Here is where I found the “final order” document — on the USADA site.
58 Responses
“walter Mitty” ?
I didnt know PEDs made you delusional as well!
I am coming to the opinion that this website is descending in to gossipy innuendo instead of promoting Masters Athletics. Whether Mr. Barnwell said or did not say these things, I feel that website by focusing on these statements and on other hearsay statements or vague speculations has lost sight of its mission of promoting Masters Athletics. Sadly, drug use and drug cheats are fact of modern day sports. The IAAF does not put screaming headlines about drug problems as its lead story. However, I believe that we are still a nation of laws, and until the process has been completed then the case is still open and judgment should be reserved. There have been other posts, that blur line between opinion reporting and actual reporting (Masters track being subsumed by the Senior Games being an egregious example). I use to look forward to the latest posts on this website hoping to be inspired and get information that would help me become more involved in the world of Masters Athletics. Sadly, that is no longer the case.
Excuse me but if you( Mr Parks )took time to read the actual report of the hearing, you will see that it is not hearsay or vague speculation. These ARE the FACTS.
I guess this explains his behavior after winning the 100m in Lahti. When a another finalist in the 100m congratulated Val by patting him on the back after his victory, Val whipped around, threw off the athletes hand, yelled vulgarities and profanities at the athlete and physically threatened him if he ever touched him again. Val carried his tirade into the USA section in the stands still threatening the athlete and he was completely unconsoleable.
So now he’s a cheater AND a liar. This guy should never be allowed to step on a track again…what a loser.
The more that becomes apparent the sadder I feel.
Val, one simple word of advice,
CONTRITION!!!!!
Val’s attempted use of the Justin Gatlin defense, blame the massage therapist, is classic!
Mr. Tissenbaum, I have never met you, but I definitley agree with your last post! Previously, I was concerned about you standing up for Val and another blatant steroid user in our sport…hint, hint,– Midwest/electric starter/huge for a sprinter.
“had not checked the ingredients on any of the several supplements that he had admittedly taken. …no knowledge of the 200Q WADA Prohibited List, the IAAF Anti-doping Regulations, or the World Masters Anti-Doping Rules.
Barnwell – I’ve never met you but your testimony comes across as dishonest. At the very least – arrogant, entitled, and wholly lacking in imagination and intellect.
Moving beyond the issue of Mr. Barnwell, and hopefully to stimulate some more thoughtful discussion of the whole issue, here are 2 articles from Bioethicists discussing whether drug prohibition is the best course of action.
And can anyone tell me why cannabinoids (aka marijuana, weed) are on the prohibited list? What, exactly, is the performance enhancing effect? To make you think you’re running faster than you really are? 🙂
http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/content/art1972.html?getPage=1
http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/38/6/666.full
It is nice to see that there is a price to be paid for breaking the rules. And it is nice to see that this is getting the press that it deserves rather than being swept under the carpet. Drug use discussion is a most unpleasant subject for most older, mature adults. There are some among us who would rather put up with the potential and actual illegal acts of other athletes and “keep the peace”, so to speak. And there are others (myself included) who would rather oppose illegal drug use in a proactive fashion. I don’t know what the tipping point is on all the drug discussion but it is most definitely a healthy turn of events that there is finally some grass roots discussion on the matter.
There seems to be a significant difference between the 2 cheaters in Lahti WC.Pekka Viippo doesnt blame anybody but himself but this other guy is a joke!
Next up: “Well I put them in my mouth but I never swallowed…knowingly…or willingly”.
Wow. After reading the report and Val’s defense, the phrase “sinking to a new low” comes to mind.
The race card too? Seriously? Whats the proposed solution? Affirmative Action doping?
Typical behavior of today’s successful athletes – blame everyone else and refuse to accept responsibility for yourself. I just never expected to see that from a 50-year old adult. So now he’s a cheater and a blamer.
And I’ve always wondered about these secret sabotaging schemers and their grudge against old athletes. I think they must be sneaking something into my water, and that’s why I’m so slow! I should be way faster than what I am. If I could only catch them in the act. At least we now have confirmation that they are out there!
can we please get back to life,this is like tmz,CAN WE ALL JUST GET ALONG,LET IT GO ,make the M50 team look like we dont all train with out useing drugs,
Keith, no one is shaming any other M50 athletes. Just Val. He brought this on himself.
haven’t we seen this all before?
the only sad thing about it now is that we still haven’t accepted that lifetime bans are the proper consequence for dopers.
let’s keep moving this forward on this and establish lifetime bans soon.
Ken
Where’s Gary Snyder when ya need him? In the arbitration document the USADA actually asked for a stiffer punishment. They thought Val’s actions were more willful, without remorse and deserved a longer sentence then the two years, but the arbitration board denied it. Could USATF Masters enforce a stiffer penalty or at least require that he be tested before he’s allowed to run again?
Gary tells me that he’s preparing a comprehensive statement on masters drug-testing — not just a comment on Barnwell’s case.
Meanwhile, check out the reaction of the fish:
http://forums.usms.org/showthread.php?t=16265
I found this information regarding Dwain Chambers drug ban.
“He became the 100 m European champion and record holder in 2002 but, in October 2003, he tested positive for the banned steroid THG in a drugs check. Chambers received a two-year athletics ban, and a lifetime Olympic ban. He had all of his racing accomplishments since 2002 annulled, wiping away his 100 m European record.”
As you can see there is a precedent for annulling any accomplishments prior to the positive test. Why are our officials so weak that they will not comply with rules regarding relay medals and not take the same sort of action regarding WRs or ban him from future WMA events etc.
WEAK, WEAK, WEAK if you cant or wont do the job properly , GET OUT!!!
A few things to remember:
The selection, test and prosecution were all conducted by world agencies i.e. WMA and WADA where USATF and USADA have no jurisdiction. My first knowledge of any aspect of the events happened when I arrived at the track in Kamloops.
My statement will be out by the end of next week.
Gary Snyder
National Chair
USATF Masters T&F
Ken–I just finished reading some of the “fish” posts you linked to. One part of a post really made me laugh, and I thought I would share it:
“BUT I am the opposite of a doper. I apparently put all kinds of crap in my body that will make me go slow, slow, slow.”
I think this describes me, and perhaps 95% of USATF Masters competitors. I am lucky; at 57, I don’t need any prescription drugs (I was on Lipitor for a couple of years, and just decided to stop, probably a mistake), and I gave up taking an aspirin every day after five years of doing this. And I took fish oil supplements for a couple of weeks, and gave up on that a year ago. Last alcohol drink I had was in the early 1970s.
The problem is REFINED SUGAR. Maybe USATF could put that on the banned list and test for it–I am sure the test for refined sugar in the bloodstream wouldn’t cost $500, and it might encourage me to quit using this stuff.
And if I did fall off the wagon, I could simply assert that my massage therapist slipped a Twinkie into my granola while I was being rubbed down, and I was being discriminated against because of my race (10,000 meters–none of the 400 meter sprinters were ever tested). 🙂
Where are all people who were suporting Mr Barnwells return in previous posts?
The SILENCE is DEAFENING!!
ANON WRITER,MR A T WAS LASHING NOT ONLY AT VAL BUT THE RELAY TEAM,MY SELF FOR BACKING VAL AS A ATHLETE,THO WRONG FOR HIS ACTIONS,
If you are such a concerned athlete why do you hide your name. If you think you have the right to have an opinion then don’t hide who you are. You guys keep focusing on Val. He is not the first and he probably won’t be the last. Just like thieves, robbers.
ONE PROBLEM DONT MAKE ALL THIS BIG OF A STORY TIGER WOODS VAL BARNWELL BRITNEY S LETS MOVE ON
I along with several others have been critical of Val over the past few days, with some justification.
Most of the criticism is the result of a sense of disappointment rather than anger or any dislike of Val himself.
However, I now agree with Keith McQuitter and others that we should bring the personal criticism of Val to a close.
I still think that we have a duty to continue to discuss the wider issues and try to influence a plan of action that will prevent this sort of negative press from happening again.
I hope that Val will, in the words of Alan Tissenbaum find the time to issue an apology. Although it may not repair peoples respect for him as an athlete, it may go some way to regain him some respect as a man.
Sadly, until Val does issue an apology the personal criticism will continue. Knowing Val, I won’t hold my breath.
Keith…the more we keep his name (VAL BARNWELL)and his cheating ways posted, printed and discussed, it will serve as a reminder to others that they too will be dealt with in the same manner of shame and disgust if and when they choose to cheat. Respectfully…Val Barnwell is not of sound mind, as many of us have personally witnessed his tirades. His stories of being an olympian is only one of the many imaginary tales he has shared with those who would listen. It would be interesting to see if he has indeed changed his name legally to “Val”……Which leave’s me to wonder, Who is this person???
“The Respondent had not checked the ingredients on any of the several supplements that he had admittedly taken.”
Senator John McCain took this defense seriously enough to introduce a bill that would require dietary supplement manufacturers jump through a few difficult regulatory hoops. Some in the DS industry suggest that this law would have put many companies out of business, leaving only a handful of big players.
All of the professional sports leagues supported it, such as MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, NCAA, and PGA.
Being in the dietary supplement business, myself (see link to “Al” at bottom of page) I thought it was kind of odd that he’d suggest a new law that says you can’t slip banned substances into dietary supplements. That’s already law!
Anyway, the bill was killed a week ago. Continue to enjoy your vitamin C without any further ado or blame from doping athletes or their leagues.
The Name “Val” was given to Winslow in or around 1982 as a joke refering to Valery Borzov of the Soviet Union. Our coach at the time had coached Valery Borzov and since Winslow talked a lot and had the aspect of a great athlete (but wasn’t), we jokingly gave him the name. It stuck and that he how he became known as Val. I have personally witnessed Val compete for three different countries in minor international events, and even once watched him compete against Ben Johnson wearing a USA national Team uniform he had purchased from a friend. It always shocked me how Val was able to lie his way into events I had worked my ass off to get to, but it was more shocking to learn Val was a superstar Masters athlete. I had to ask at least 5 times if it was the same Val I knew when I competed as a younger man and it was. As far as competing in the Olympics, I have been told by many people that Val competed in the Olympics and I have always responded the same way, “The closest Val has come to competing in the Olympic games is as close as i came to competing in the Olympic games, my TV scene”, I have never been sure why no one has ever bothered to check, its as simple as the internet.
Val’s a nice guy and my friend, delusional but still mostly harmless, I don’t think he understands the gravity of what he has done and because of this he will be back, even before the suspension has expired, of that I am sure. One last thing, its my personal belief that the more we write about Val the more he will be around. I’m not sure what the result of all of this will be but I know if Val is involved it should be entertaining.
To Tony E. comment:
Pretty funny story! “Val” or whatever his name is has become the Rosie Ruiz of Masters sprinting. The imaginary man of scintillating lore.
Thank you, Tony Echeandia, for your very interesting comment. I, as a masters announcer, even fell for the “Olympian” bit and announced Val that way for awhile before a certain very knowledgeable person (lives in New Jersey) warned me about it.
Normally, I am quite careful about things, but if someone says he was in the Olympic Games, that is a bit different from saying that he ran 10.45 in the 100 meters as a high schooler. The latter I would NEVER state over the microphone without solid checking, but I figured no one would be confused about having been in the Olympic Games (that’s an event you remember). In this case I was wrong.
The same New Jerseyan who told me to watch out about the Olympics story told me less than a week ago that the “Val” came from Valery Borzov, exactly what you said.
Maybe when he referred to his race he meant 100 and 200m? WADA is targeting sprinters?
An old teammate of mine in cycling also had performance that was too good to be true. He has since suffered cancer, vascular disease, and a number of other ailments typical of prolonged PED. Like Barnwell he was delusional and paranoid. He is now in his late 50s and a broken shell of a man.
While its pretty easy to be outraged at Barnwell, be confident that he is incurring debt that will be paid for dearly soon enough. Sad to think ahead but very likely true.
Thank goodness for drug testing as it may help people make the right decisions.
Peter T:
Don’t feel bad. He WAS in the Olympics, the Laugh Olympics. Perfect for a SNL skit. I can see Beluchi in the blocks now. Maybe with a little Paul Simon background: “Just call me Val!”
We’ll continue to be “Duped by the Doped” in the future, but hopefully it will become less prevalent.
Hey Peter no big deal, it happens. You are a well respected person in our sport and saw the good in Val, and for that you don’t need to apologize . We all do strange things just some of us get caught up and believe our own lies and then feel the need to do dumber things to keep them alive. Like I said I like Val, hopefully he will learn and be a better man because of it. The people in the Masters community are for the most part great people, they will forgive and forget and move on. Regardless we are not “Track and Field”, we are only the participants, the sport will live on long after we will and thats reassuring.
As for the SNL skit is concerned its already been done, if you want to laugh check out this skit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LymeOcJyJtg
Thank you, Tony. BTW, doesn’t Eddie Murphy run around the track in the wrong direction in this skit?
You are so right about the sport living long after we will. The first time my father took me to Madison Square Garden for the Millrose Games I believe the winners in my favorite events were Ira Murchison in the 60, Arnie Sowell in the 880, and Ron Delany in the mile. Hardly anyone at all talks about the first two any more, and Kevin Forde is one of the few who keeps Ron Delany’s name in our consciousness. Time goes by.
That Eddie Murphy skit is an absolute pisser !! I was laughing so hard I was crying. can’t believe I never saw it before.
remember he wasnt allways on addrenaline suppliments befor he turned M50 he was tested as M40,and was tested ok,he still was one of the best,he still may have won if he didnt take anything,he has to pay 4 it so please let it go lance armstrong had the same thing,but hes ok with every one,HE is still a usa team mate,I know hem from years back when I lived in NJ,it was wrong,but if god forgives,so should,others,and yes I know val,s real name,
I find it funny you guys cpnveniently attack Val, but I see none of yopu post your times on here. Obviously, most of you are just average athletes who shoouldn’t compete because most are not even in all american standards. Even if Val may or may not be on drugs, most of you would get dusted by him anyway. In national or world master events, only people who meet national time standards should compete ans all get tested and not single 1 person out. It’s obvious they only chose val to test. Race card or being straight hater? Obvious!
Jmac,
Don’t tell me (or anyone else) what I can do or not do. I may not be able to make an all American standard, but I have the right to lace up the spikes and give it a try. Hey it’s no different than you not being able to compose a coherent reply with decent grammar. You still have the right to write. If you don’t like to see us average runners compete, don’t watch.
jmac: TROLL. Thanks for the laugh.
Post # 44 is so ridiculous on so many levels it’s not even worth responding to…what planet are you from?
Tony E.
The YouTube skit that you referenced starring Eddie Murphy was awesome. I thought for sure that the old guy was going to beat him out. Not! 🙂
Jmac #44:
The subject is drugs, not timed standards. Shoulda, woulda, coulda is not the issue.
Hey Peter Eddie Murphy is running the wrong way, good catch. I saw it as well. What can you do, it almost adds more comedy to the skit.
I’m glad everyone has enjoyed that skit, it always makes me laugh as well.
Jmac: Its a free sport and anyone can run. The standards are irrelevant really , important to some and a goal for others, so I don’t get your point and please understand not all on this site compete for the USA, so our names don’t appear on the US Rankings but they do on the world lists. Have a great Day all!
Jmac who exactly are you calling out, and what great track accomplishments can we attribute to you?
Keith,
Val tested positive for Andro, an illegal and banned drug, which increases testosterone, not an “adrenaline suppliment.”
According to his own testimony, he claims he didn’t know that masters were tested. So when you say he actually tested in his 40’s, who should we believe? You or him? Or are you saying he’s lying now?
Also it’s probably easier for God or others to forgive if one admits their mistakes, quits their lyin’ an cheatin’ ways, says they’re sorry, and asks for forgiveness. Whadd’ya think? Maybe at best he’s one for four? If that?
Amen!!!
Bring on the drug test.Because there are alot of guys cheating in master. I know we chat and i see them going into dorm rooms,hotel rooms popping pills that there buddy got for them. I have been around for along time there are big stars in track that say they train hard .But will take something for 2/3 months and then compete or use a buddys meds.Not everybody cheats but sit back and watch no more have times for awhile……comeout…comeout…val much love we stumble,we fall.PEACE BRO [ BROOKLYN ]GOTCHA BACK
See this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androstenedione
The benefits are ambiguous, as are the risks, although the latter are probably greater. Unless Val was taking a huge volume of this stuff, he would have performed comparably without it.
I agree with the minority here who think this sort of public raking over the coals is unkind. He is already paying a price with his suspension. I do think, however, that jeopardizing relay teammates showed a terrible lack of judgment, or a very severe denial. As well, I may actually agree with Val, if I understand him correctly, that this is an amateur activity and, as such, should have legal standing and administration/regulation of sports like league bowling, curling, or horseback riding — not professional sports. Why do we pay for bureaucrats to regulate us? Finally, I think that the history of racism in this species should give pause to all of you who would reject this idea out of hand. Why is no one calling for a good statistical analysis of all those who were drug tested — by race? If there is discrimination in the administration of these tests, I know that I would want to know of it.
THE TRUTH IS any bum CHEATING BELONGS IN A GUTTER & BANNED FOR ETERNITY!
THIS WRITER RESPECTS, THE USA MASTERS FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS & HONESTY.
TO THE MASTERS COMMUNITY:SPEND MORE TIME SPEAKING ON A GENT AKA , Mr. WILLIAM COLLINS “A TRUE CHAMPION” WITH GOD GIVEN TALENT AND A TRUE WORK ETHIC, HAVING FUN AND SHARRING GLORY!
FORGET any bum THAT DARKENS YOUR DAY & WAY ! !
Some years ago, the question was asked to many world class athletes: It they could take a substance that would give them a world record and win an Olympic Gold Medal and it could not be detected, but it would kill them in 5 years after taking it, would they take it?
85% answered yes! That question was asked before Flo Jo died (she was 38 and died in her sleep)
I believe in sucess the old way, from good old hard work and pray my body will hold up.
When you cheat, you wil get caught, because, you can not get away with cheating yourself.
Yup, Ron. I looked it up.
It was a milestone Sports Illustrated article in April 1997 titled “Over the Edge.”
When Sports Illustrated interviewed a cohort of elite Olympic athletes, one of the questions was: “If you were given a performance enhancing substance and you would not be caught and win, would you take it?”.98% of the athletes responded “Yes”.
The more chilling question was: “If you were given a performance enhancing substance and you would not be caught, win all competitions for 5 years, then die, would you take it?” More than 50% said “Yes.”
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