Time to challenge the drug police at WMA?
One of these days, a masters athlete wrongly accused of doping will stand up and say: Enough! Enough of the one-size-fits-all policy that lumps the elites with the age-groupers. Enough of a wacked-out system that âallowsâ medical waivers for masters but makes you sick from jumping through hoops. I think a case may be developing in Britain that pits an inncocent against the anti-doping police. Two British sources tell me that M55 thrower Neil Griffin, suspended for a âsteroidâ positive, is not a cheater. In fact, he may have been a hoop-jumper victimized by the doping bureaucracy.
âThis is what I believe (that Neil is innocent),â wrote Martin Duff, the dean of masters athletics writers in Great Britain. âBecause I have known Neil for over 40 years, I have asked my (Athletics Weekly) editor Jason Henderson to follow up the story.â
Pete Mulholland, the masters track writer for Running Fitness magazine, wrote me:
âI can only comment on Neil Griffin, one of the nicest blokes on the circuit and someone who has competed for around 40 plus years without a hint of a blemish. He has a towering presence but is more akin to a âcuddly bearâ.
âAs I understand it, he was âpulledâ (for drug-testing) at San Sebastian but it was surrounded by confusion. Much like the championships in general.
âI also understand that Griffin, prior to competing, handed over the necessary documentation detailing (presumably) medication he was taking, to an official (at San Sebastian) which the authorities denied ever having received, and a subsequent positive test followed.
âSuch was the confusion that Griffin was allowed to compete in Linz where it appears that a positive test once again occurred. (Your e-mail was the first I have heard of this.) At a guess, this was probably for the same component that showed up at San Sebastian although Iâm unclear as to whether Griffin proffered the âpaperworkâ this time around.
âIn spite of the San Sebastian allegation, Griffin was cleared to compete in the forthcoming British Masters Champs (July 10/11) but have since heard that UK Athletics has at this late date become involved so this is more than unlikely.â
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Me again:
Iâve written to Neilâs coach at Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow Athletic Club in hopes of reaching Neil himself. This story is far from over.
6 Responses
I wish Neil the best in his troubles. He is a nice guy and a great thrower.
I find it hard to believe that Neil would test positive in two meets. He is not a stupid man. If he tested positive for a drug in Spain, he certainly wouldn’t think he could get away with it 6 months later. It seems as though he is caught up in drug testing red tape. I agree with Ken, we need a drug testing system that considers the medical needs of older adults.
I really feel sorry for the 200 pound plus master athletes that need to be treated with drugs for muscle weakness.
Milan,
I wasn’t referring to medical needs for anabolic steroids. Older adults routinely take many drugs listed on the banned list. A good example is the Yaeger case from Gateshead. That poor woman was suspended and embarrased in the world press because she took medications to help her cope with the effects of menopause. That incident was a blight on masters track and field. We don’t know the specifics of Neil’s case, so we shouldn’t condemn him before we know the details. The fact that he tested positive in two consecutive meets suggest irregularities in the procedures. He is a very successful businessman and a smart guy. If he used steroids, I don’t believe he is so stupid that he would get caught twice.
Milan,
I wasn’t referring to medical needs for anabolic steroids. Older adults routinely take many drugs listed on the banned list. A good example is the Yaeger case from Gateshead. That poor woman was suspended and embarrased in the world press because she took medications to help her cope with the effects of menopause. That incident was a blight on masters track and field. We don’t know the specifics of Neil’s case, so we shouldn’t condemn him before we know the details. The fact that he tested positive in two consecutive meets suggest irregularities in the procedures. He is a very successful businessman and a smart guy. If he used steroids, I don’t believe he is so stupid that he would get caught twice.
You are wrong, Thomas. WMA has its own antidoping policy that follows the WADA- and IAAF- rules and procedures âĂĂŹ posted on the WMA website at âĂĂșAntidopingâĂĂč (left side of the legend). In case of medical treatment you have to ask for âĂĂșTherapeutic Use ExemptionsâĂĂč which WMA has also adopted in close cooperation with IAAF. You say: ‘Older adults routinely take many drugs listed on the banned list.’ I have problems with the word ‘routinely’. Ok, if an anthelete needs medical drugs, the starting point is the requirement that such an athlete must apply to have approval to avoid suspension for drug abuse. They have to ask for TUE before they compete again. We don’t need a new WMA drug policy, we have a solid one.
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