The Tour de France needs to give up. I know little about cycling, but watched it religiously when Armstrong was involved. I assume I would have watched some this year, but the other two names I knew - Ivan Basso of Italy and Jan Ullrich of of Germany both tested positive for illegal injections. Smart move, fellas.
Now, just because I'm done doesn't mean that cycling fans should give in. But wait, the positive tests haven't stopped even as the tour occurs....
Say It Ain't So
Alexandre Vinokorov's positive "A" sample test from stage 13 is both untimely and tragic. But there are a few silver linings to keep in mind.
Say it ain't so. Tell me it isn't true that Alexander Vinokourov, one of cycling's biggest stars, tested positive for blood doping. This is not what cycling needs right now. The fans are tired of the scandals and losing faith in the sport. The sponsors are pulling out because they want positive PR, not positive dope tests tied to their brands. And the clean riders and coaches are fed up, too. But after we all get over our initial "Dammit, Vino!" reaction, there are a few things to remember:
1. His B-sample still needs to be tested
Though it's rare for a B-sample to show anything different from the A-sample (especially when you're looking at the blood of two people in one tube), it is possible that a mistake was made and Vino isn't guilty. The anti-doping procedures give an athlete or his representative the opportunity to be present when the B-sample is being tested, so you can confirm for yourself that the correct procedures were followed. In fairness to the athlete, we need to wait until the positive test results are confirmed by the B-sample before tying him up in the town square and flogging him.
2. Clean riders can and do win races
I've coached them, my coaches coach them, and countless other coaches and team directors have guided clean athletes to victories in the world's biggest sporting events. Doping scandals like this one hurt the credibility of the entire peloton, and it's the clean riders who bear the heaviest burden. They're struggling to win races against juiced competitors, fighting for fans' trust and respect, and hoping that someone else's poor decision doesn't end up costing them their jobs.
3. In the long run, catching cheaters is better for the sport
In the short term, better testing procedures means a steady stream of doping scandals. There are a lot of people working to clean up our sport, and maybe if there's anything good about Vino testing positive it's that it shows that the testing procedures work. The governing bodies and labs are making it harder and harder for cheaters to keep their secrets. And if the sport survives through this tumultuous period, I think there's hope that one day large-scale doping scandals will be a thing of the past.
Interestingly, if he's guilty, Vinokourov will be one of the first riders who signed the UCI's Commitment to New Cycling to test positive for doping. As a result, on top of the normal 2-year suspension, Vino would have to pay the UCI his entire 2007 salary. It's the first time the UCI has added a huge financial penalty to the fight against doping, and as a threat it may not have deterred Vino, but let's see what happens when riders start having to write big checks.
I've been involved in cycling for more than 30 years. The sport has treated me very well at times and kicked me in the teeth at others, but it's the sport I love and I'm in for the long haul. Cycling has made some great strides against doping in the past few years, but each "victory" comes at a high price. As coaches, athletes, teams, labs, and governing bodies work to clean up the sport, the world is watching and the race is on. If it takes too long, we'll be saving a sport no one cares about.
To get faster and stronger the right way, visit the coaching professionals at Carmichael Training Systems on the web at Trainright.com.
Now, just because I'm done doesn't mean that cycling fans should give in. But wait, the positive tests haven't stopped even as the tour occurs....
Say It Ain't So
Alexandre Vinokorov's positive "A" sample test from stage 13 is both untimely and tragic. But there are a few silver linings to keep in mind.
Say it ain't so. Tell me it isn't true that Alexander Vinokourov, one of cycling's biggest stars, tested positive for blood doping. This is not what cycling needs right now. The fans are tired of the scandals and losing faith in the sport. The sponsors are pulling out because they want positive PR, not positive dope tests tied to their brands. And the clean riders and coaches are fed up, too. But after we all get over our initial "Dammit, Vino!" reaction, there are a few things to remember:
1. His B-sample still needs to be tested
Though it's rare for a B-sample to show anything different from the A-sample (especially when you're looking at the blood of two people in one tube), it is possible that a mistake was made and Vino isn't guilty. The anti-doping procedures give an athlete or his representative the opportunity to be present when the B-sample is being tested, so you can confirm for yourself that the correct procedures were followed. In fairness to the athlete, we need to wait until the positive test results are confirmed by the B-sample before tying him up in the town square and flogging him.
2. Clean riders can and do win races
I've coached them, my coaches coach them, and countless other coaches and team directors have guided clean athletes to victories in the world's biggest sporting events. Doping scandals like this one hurt the credibility of the entire peloton, and it's the clean riders who bear the heaviest burden. They're struggling to win races against juiced competitors, fighting for fans' trust and respect, and hoping that someone else's poor decision doesn't end up costing them their jobs.
3. In the long run, catching cheaters is better for the sport
In the short term, better testing procedures means a steady stream of doping scandals. There are a lot of people working to clean up our sport, and maybe if there's anything good about Vino testing positive it's that it shows that the testing procedures work. The governing bodies and labs are making it harder and harder for cheaters to keep their secrets. And if the sport survives through this tumultuous period, I think there's hope that one day large-scale doping scandals will be a thing of the past.
Interestingly, if he's guilty, Vinokourov will be one of the first riders who signed the UCI's Commitment to New Cycling to test positive for doping. As a result, on top of the normal 2-year suspension, Vino would have to pay the UCI his entire 2007 salary. It's the first time the UCI has added a huge financial penalty to the fight against doping, and as a threat it may not have deterred Vino, but let's see what happens when riders start having to write big checks.
I've been involved in cycling for more than 30 years. The sport has treated me very well at times and kicked me in the teeth at others, but it's the sport I love and I'm in for the long haul. Cycling has made some great strides against doping in the past few years, but each "victory" comes at a high price. As coaches, athletes, teams, labs, and governing bodies work to clean up the sport, the world is watching and the race is on. If it takes too long, we'll be saving a sport no one cares about.
To get faster and stronger the right way, visit the coaching professionals at Carmichael Training Systems on the web at Trainright.com.
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