http://nyvelocity.com/content/features/2012/david-anthony-tests-positive
Why a different light? Because I did that ride (after all it is always about me). First I thought how dare he dope. I wasn't offended that he was stealing a podium spot from me because there was no way ever that I would podium in that race. He did, though, steal it from someone else. But then I thought about it a little more.
This race was very expensive. A portion of the race fees (that I paid) in some manner were paying for these drug tests. I didn't know that they were testing (I wasn't looking for it) but I would have thought it ridiculous that there were testing (in retrospect there were not ridiculous). Apparently they were quite overt in telling everyone that they were testing. I missed it but would have opted out if I could. Not because I dope (I do not) but because I'm cheap. And had low expectations.
What kind of person could do this? A cheater. Who is he cheating? Everyone, but mostly himself. Where would it end?
John Post put out a good blog before I saw the other article as well with some interesting examples. it can be found here: http://johnpostmdsblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/cheating-in-triathlon.html In it he quotes John McGuire USN, "If you'll cheat yourself, who won't you cheat?"
Put in a different perspective: Would you hire a person like this? Would you like to work with them? For them? Would you like to train with them? Would you like to race against them?
Yes, people can make mistakes. People can be forgiven. But if it was me I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. That's probably why I don't and wouldn't cheat.
Thoughts?
7 comments:
Even though they actually caught somebody, testing for an amateur event is still ridiculous - as is the fact that this guy was doping so that he could advance to Cat 2 or whatever it was. Really?
You wouldn't cheat because you couldnt live with yourself, but nothing could be further from the truth for the people who do cheat. They couldnt forgive themselves if they got caught. Because winning is everything, no matter what the cost. I wouldn't want to work with that person, and I definitely wouldn't want to work for that person! Competing against that person is not an issue for me because by the time I cross the finish line, they've already given out the trophies. but what about my friends who might get onto the podium. It would really suck if a cheater got their spot.
Personally, I wouldn't care if I got tested. Since I am not a druggie, it makes no difference to me. That being said, I would hate having to pay higher race fees for the testing.
Also... I would hate for our beloved triathlon to get the rep that the pro cyclists having with doping.
Oh, and the whole cheating thing... I just don't get it.
Totally agree. I think cheating yourself is the worst. I mean where's the glory in that? Who are we kidding? Sad this rears its ugly head in sports.
I actually think doping in the AG ranks of Tri, Running, and Cycling is much bigger than any of us would guess.
Makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to me but the one thing I have seen as a constant over my years on this earth is that people are f*&king crazy!
Nobody else remembers my ranking within my age group, so if I doped, I would be the only one that knew where I stood, and I'd always have the knowledge along with it that I cheated to get there.
No thanks.
For me, it's all about the experience rather than the result. Not that I don't like to see better results, but they only mean something if I earn them.
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