Drug-test extortion? Who threatened USATF over masters records?
Here’s the story — now appearing on more than 135 websites:
Older athletes get caught cheating, too
By EDDIE PELLS, AP National Writer
Thursday, November 24, 2011
(11-24) 11:27 PST Colorado Springs, Colo. (AP) —The anti-doping police are sending out a new message to the AARP crowd: We’re keeping an eye on you, too.
Looking more skeptically at events outside of elite and Olympic circles, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has suspended nine masters athletes for positive tests so far in 2011. That accounts for more than one-third of the 25 sanctions the agency has announced this year. Among the masters to test positive was one competitor in his 50s and three in their 60s.
The agency wants to cut down on what it says is an increasing number of older-age cheaters, an effort critics decry as petty and a waste of money for a cause that is already operating on limited resources. But cheating needs to stopped throughout sports, the head of USADA says.
“We get calls from athletes about doping that’s happening in their sports at all levels,” USADA CEO Travis Tygart said. “We’ve also had event organizers call us and express their concerns and their desire to put in a good anti-doping program.”
USA Track and Field, for instance, requested a USADA presence at its masters national championships this summer after international organizers told the American track organization it would stop accepting U.S. records if it didn’t ramp up its anti-doping program.
Testing at nationals resulted in three suspensions, all from people who either disputed their test or said they got tripped up by a tainted supplement.
Craig Shumaker, 63, admitted to taking a doctor-prescribed testosterone gel that he knew would trigger a positive test if he was selected. He was, and received a two-year suspension, which carries the customary contingency that he must submit to more tests when he’s reinstated. His win at nationals in shot put and second-place finish in discus have been erased, though Shumaker insists the drug gave him no benefit.
He said he has no intention of going off the drug, commonly prescribed for people diagnosed with low testosterone, and said the positive test pretty much marks the end of his days as a competitive thrower.
“There’s a little bit of sour grapes for me,” Shumaker said. “My body type hasn’t changed. I weigh the same as I have for 15 years. You hear the rumors, `He was taking this, taking that.’ But most of us, we’re just here for the camaraderie. I think it’s a bigger issue that masters track needs to fess up to. People want to maintain a healthy lifestyle and there are medicines that can help you, so why should that ban you from competing?”
As is the case with elite athletes, masters can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption for drugs that are legitimately prescribed by a doctor. However, Shumaker and others who tested positive decried a process filled with too much red tape that they say often results in rejection — not worth it to the athletes who claim to be competing more for fun than
9 Responses
Terry Parks - November 24, 2011
I think international athletes had a legitimate concern about USA Masters track and field records without drug testing. Craig Shumaker refusal to make the logical connection between his winning performance while using testosterone and the fact that the testosterone helps him ‘”maintain a healthy lifestyle” shows a lack of honestly about PED’s and athletic performance. If Craig really wanted to just to compete, then he could have done so without the PED’s. If Craig wants to just compete then he can do so in two years hence absent the PED’s, but it seems that he is unwilling to compete absent the PED’s as he has announced his retirement. I think that Fred made a mistake and fessed up to it and refreshingly Fred thinks that testing is a good thing. I agree with Fred that we need testing. Maybe some people are like Craig and just don’t get the connection between PED’s and performance. We need drug testing to protect the integrity of our sport. If you are competing and medaling at the National and International level you have to train hard and have a fair amount of talent. I am tired of people talking about medals being cheap. We compete against each other to measure ourselves against one another. If you can’t compete without PED’s then goodbye and good riddence.
Anthony Treacher - November 24, 2011
The USATF Masters drug testing at nationals adds significantly to the credibility of masters athletics. Other countries should follow the US lead.
Jim P - November 25, 2011
Fred thinks it didn’t help his performance, either.
Bubba Sparks - November 25, 2011
Hey Terry – it takes more than “a fair amount of talent” to medal at the big meets. Of course I’m just kidding with you but I laughed at the understatement. I’m just a pole vaulter who hopes to medal. Looking at the All American standards I can’t reach them in any other event. That’s why I am such a huge fan of the athletes in our sport. Like you, they are simply amazing. I’m inspired by you all and honored to get to hang with you and cheer for you!
Ken Stone - November 25, 2011
BTW, WMA anti-doping rules say nothing about records being rejected if nation doesn’t do drug-testing:
http://www.world-masters-athletics.org/files/antidoping/Anti-Doping_Rules-2009.pdf
Milan Jamrich - November 25, 2011
Well, I am not surprised that “clean” athletes are upset about testosterone and HGH records.
David Elderfield - November 25, 2011
Nothing wrong with this. In fact it is long overdue. The US has a very poor record for cheating with drugs at senior level, and it needs to be made as difficult as is affordable to get away with it at veteran level.
Bubba Sparks - November 25, 2011
As I have mentioned before, if they use the “screening” test, which just checks to be sure levels are within normal ranges, it will be much cheaper and they can test more athletes for the same money. It also won’t disqualify people on MD prescribed meds UNLESS they abuse. It used to be done this way – “A” sample was the “screen” for levels, and “B” was the detail. Of course that makes too much sense to ever happen. That said, we all know the rules so let the cards fall where they may.
JStone - November 25, 2011
Turn the lights on and see how the cockroaches scurry! Hopefully, keeping the lights on -in the form of testing- will rid our sport of the doping vermin!
Ever better, maybe this will deflate a few bodies & egos and force our doping brothers & sisters to compete clean!
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