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Jenya · 10-19-2003, 01:34 PM

Doping Scandal Looks Good on U.S

By MIKE ULMER The Toronto Sun

Sunday October 19, 2003

If you live in the United States and can cover 100 metres in less than 20 seconds, if you can throw a shot past your driveway, if you don't puke when you run 400 metres, don't give up on your Olympic dream -- Uncle Sam needs you. The last Olympic doping superpower is about to bite the dust.

The U.S., the standardbearer in pharmaceutical sporting excellence since the demise of the Iron Curtain, is about to be taken to the woodshed.

Prepare for a summer games in Athens in which the U.S. women's softball team is the country's best good news story.

All thanks to an anonymous coach who, this summer, sent in a syringe that once carried a compound known as THG to the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

The United States Olympic Committee, under heavy pressure for the laughable enforcement standards that allowed regular cheaters to routinely avoid sanction, created the arm's length agency to purify America's putrid Olympic image. You know what they say ... be careful what you ask for.

A team of eight scientists uncovered the chemical code for THG. It turns out the substance ages very nicely in urine samples. The agency ran some 350 samples collected at the United States Track and Field championships in July.

An unknown number of athletes have tested positive. A second test, with the requisite lawyers, will be concluded in the fall.

The drug has been traced to a California man who has extensive ties to C.J. Hunter, the former husband of track superstar Marion Jones, as well as baseball slugger Barry Bonds. Hunter trained Jones for years.

COVER UP

And unlike failed drug tests from prominent American athletes which were simply covered up, there are far too many aggressive enforcement agencies to sweep this burgeoning scandal under the carpet. The Internal Revenue Service and Food and Drug Administration are among those involved.

This represents a crippling blow to the USOC and USA Track and Field who, in the words of one Olympic official, operated not as a doping control agency but as a controlled doping agency.

THG is not a controlled substance, but it is easily linked with growth hormones that are. In a refreshing turn, the USOC has given its own Track and Field Association three months to clean up its act or face dissolution.

How did things get so bad?

They were always this bad.

In the wake of Ben Johnson's failed drug test, Canada went about remarkable self-searching, the Dubin Inquiry. That same year, Carl Lewis' three failed drug tests were covered up.

All too aware of the powerful pull of television and endorsement money, the United States became the worldwide leader in designer drugs.

The USOC is due to hand a report to the IOC that details dozens of failed drug tests by their athletes prior to the 2000 Games.

Even before the latest drug scandal, American Track and Field had been beset by internal rot.

Jon Drummond faces sanctions after his meltdown and refusal to leave the track at the world championships.

Kelli White, who won the 100 and 200 metre at the same event, was found to have a controlled substance she claimed she took for sleep problems. She will, in all probability, be forced to return her medals and face sanctions that would keep her clear of Athens, and she won't want for company.

While the United States has consistently looked the other way with its own athletes, Americans often point the fingers at anyone who has the temerity to best them.

Both U.S. coach Richard Thorpe and American swimmer Jenny Thompson accused competitors of using drugs when the American team didn't dominate in Sydney.

The American media has played along. Jones' connection with Hunter was never probed as anything but a potential embarrassment to an athlete who was shooting for five Olympic gold medals. Jones promised to stand by her man, divorced him when the publicity died down and went unchallenged in Sydney.

Meanwhile, American journos instead grilled Cuban highjumper Javier Sotomayor, whose blood tests revealed elements of cocaine from the Pan American Games. Sotomayor's shameful appeal was upheld by his nation's sports power and the American media's indignation made for lovely news clips.

Only one reporter asked Marion Jones about the drug links.

That reporter was me.

"The people who know me, support me, train with me and coach me know I'm a clean athlete," she said.

Now, for the first time, we'll actually get to find out.

10-19-2003, 01:34 PM	#1
Jenya Supervisor Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Canmore, Alberta Posts: 3,359	Doping Scandal Looks Good on U.S! Doping Scandal Looks Good on U.S By MIKE ULMER The Toronto Sun Sunday October 19, 2003 If you live in the United States and can cover 100 metres in less than 20 seconds, if you can throw a shot past your driveway, if you don't puke when you run 400 metres, don't give up on your Olympic dream -- Uncle Sam needs you. The last Olympic doping superpower is about to bite the dust. The U.S., the standardbearer in pharmaceutical sporting excellence since the demise of the Iron Curtain, is about to be taken to the woodshed. Prepare for a summer games in Athens in which the U.S. women's softball team is the country's best good news story. All thanks to an anonymous coach who, this summer, sent in a syringe that once carried a compound known as THG to the United States Anti-Doping Agency. The United States Olympic Committee, under heavy pressure for the laughable enforcement standards that allowed regular cheaters to routinely avoid sanction, created the arm's length agency to purify America's putrid Olympic image. You know what they say ... be careful what you ask for. A team of eight scientists uncovered the chemical code for THG. It turns out the substance ages very nicely in urine samples. The agency ran some 350 samples collected at the United States Track and Field championships in July. An unknown number of athletes have tested positive. A second test, with the requisite lawyers, will be concluded in the fall. The drug has been traced to a California man who has extensive ties to C.J. Hunter, the former husband of track superstar Marion Jones, as well as baseball slugger Barry Bonds. Hunter trained Jones for years. COVER UP And unlike failed drug tests from prominent American athletes which were simply covered up, there are far too many aggressive enforcement agencies to sweep this burgeoning scandal under the carpet. The Internal Revenue Service and Food and Drug Administration are among those involved. This represents a crippling blow to the USOC and USA Track and Field who, in the words of one Olympic official, operated not as a doping control agency but as a controlled doping agency. THG is not a controlled substance, but it is easily linked with growth hormones that are. In a refreshing turn, the USOC has given its own Track and Field Association three months to clean up its act or face dissolution. How did things get so bad? They were always this bad. In the wake of Ben Johnson's failed drug test, Canada went about remarkable self-searching, the Dubin Inquiry. That same year, Carl Lewis' three failed drug tests were covered up. All too aware of the powerful pull of television and endorsement money, the United States became the worldwide leader in designer drugs. The USOC is due to hand a report to the IOC that details dozens of failed drug tests by their athletes prior to the 2000 Games. Even before the latest drug scandal, American Track and Field had been beset by internal rot. Jon Drummond faces sanctions after his meltdown and refusal to leave the track at the world championships. Kelli White, who won the 100 and 200 metre at the same event, was found to have a controlled substance she claimed she took for sleep problems. She will, in all probability, be forced to return her medals and face sanctions that would keep her clear of Athens, and she won't want for company. While the United States has consistently looked the other way with its own athletes, Americans often point the fingers at anyone who has the temerity to best them. Both U.S. coach Richard Thorpe and American swimmer Jenny Thompson accused competitors of using drugs when the American team didn't dominate in Sydney. The American media has played along. Jones' connection with Hunter was never probed as anything but a potential embarrassment to an athlete who was shooting for five Olympic gold medals. Jones promised to stand by her man, divorced him when the publicity died down and went unchallenged in Sydney. Meanwhile, American journos instead grilled Cuban highjumper Javier Sotomayor, whose blood tests revealed elements of cocaine from the Pan American Games. Sotomayor's shameful appeal was upheld by his nation's sports power and the American media's indignation made for lovely news clips. Only one reporter asked Marion Jones about the drug links. That reporter was me. "The people who know me, support me, train with me and coach me know I'm a clean athlete," she said. Now, for the first time, we'll actually get to find out.