The title of this thread should be changed as this story relates to one person. Nobody wants to have health issues at any age. She and her team need to work with the various "other" groups and hope for the best.

I almost stopped at all the hyperbolic prose about her morals and strength, it was a little much. medical conditions limit our ability to chose certain professions. I can't be a fighter pilot because I have bad eyesite. Sounds like she can't be a pro athlete based on her story. We all have to work within the box we were born into

She can get a job that isn't determental to her health but instead we get a thinly veil plea to use anabolic steroids

So a pro triathlete decides to take a drug without ever googling WADA/USADA lists to see if it's legal? her coach didn't say anything? Sorry, no sympathy. She doesnt have a right to be a pro, any more than anyone else. And,under the rules, regular AGers have to follow the same rules. But I keep coming back to her (intentional) ignorance of a very public issue. Perhaps she could have gotten a TUE had she attempted to.

This is a terrible blog post full of faulty logic, hyperbole and misdirection. racing triathlon events is not an inherent right. Morgan, when caught doping with testosterone, pretended that she had no idea that testosterone was a banned substance and basically said her only fault was not telling her doctor that she was subject to drug testing. BS. There is 0 chance that any professional triathlete is unaware that testosterone is a banned substance. She tried to get away with it and she was caught. So all that cap about her integrity and how she is the greatest human being since WWII is just absurd.

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Ed O'Malley
www.VeloVetta.com
Founder of VeloVetta Cycling Shoes
Instagram • Facebook

The following story is complicated but it serves as an example of the hard and horrible decisions that professional athletes must make, especially female athletes.


I would say it is a story that serves as another example of how a professional athlete should inform his/her doctor if she takes any medication, especially one she knows is banned.

from the post:
"In short, Morgan is the type of individual that you can only seem to find in World War II documentaries in the contemporary world."

This is an insult to the thousands of military men and women currently serving in active combat zones.

Maybe this thread could be renamed 'The horrible choices that some professional triathletes choose to make'?

I'm trying to wrap my head around how any professional athlete anywhere could not know taking testosterone is um, bad for your business.
I mean in all seriousness I don't know any amateur triathletes that don't know this....

You've been registered since '09 and thought this was going to end well?

I couldn't even read the entire post but skimmed enough to get the gist. They laid it on pretty thick. I pay pretty good attention to what I put in my body, even if prescribed by a doctor. I would think a professional would know to check and make sure that what they were taking weren't banned, in this case I think she knew the answer. She took the risk and got caught. End of story.

This is ridiculous. Either she's a just another cheater/doper who got caught and is trying to excuse her behaviour, or she's suffering from some sort of persecution complex. By her logic, if I had my hand amputated but wanted to become a boxer, it would be totally legit for me to strap on a prosthetic metal hand and step into the ring.

Yeah, Tough crowd. My objective with this post is to pose such a moral dilemma and ash that you think of what you would do given a choice between your long term health and continuing to participate in a sport you are passionate about. What would you do?. I can't comment on her thinking or motivations for following her doctors recommendations. No responses required. Just think. (btw, they did lay it on thick. Having said that I know this chick and she works her ass off at Tri and harder at fundraising for MS foundations. Quality person.)

I kind of saw where you were going. The link you added was clearly biased though. I know nothing about her condition, but was her choice the only option? If that's all that would help her lead a normal healthy life, give up racing. Its unfortunate but life isn't fair. Thanks to Top Gun I wanted to be a fighter pilot, but I'm 6'4 and flat footed, so I couldn't do that. Pilot seems to be a good defense in this thread.

I do not think any competitive athletes would consider this a legit moral dilemma. The moral choice is very clear. She did not make it.

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Ed O'Malley
www.VeloVetta.com
Founder of VeloVetta Cycling Shoes
Instagram • Facebook

Sorry, there is no "moral dilemma" here to ponder. And if it's a choice between doing a job I'd like to do - even if passionate about it- but cannot due to health concerns, well for me it's any easy choice

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't seem like she made a spur of the moment "bad choice." It seems like she willfully chose to take a banned substance, chose not to try get a TUE, claimed ignorance about the TUE requirements, and then cried foul when she got busted. It seems like she was trying to fly under the radar and got caught. This doesn't seem like a moral dilemma to me. Maybe she chose to take testosterone because of her health. That's fine, but it doesn't excuse the fact that she tried to cheat.

In the end, does it really matter that she's a "good person?" Not to me it doesn't.

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My triathlon training blog

The problem is many of us doubt her story. I don't know, I've learned that some people are incredible uninformed so it is possible she was really that ignorant and not lying. Either way - if the rules allowed her to use steroids for her health, and compete, it would make it trivially easy for others to cheat to tremendous effect. Steroids make women tremendously faster and it is not as simple to just say "oh but it is a therapeutic dose"


So, that is also a moral dilemma.

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

Iffin I coud write as well as said AT-LEETS PRESS AGENT I'd be teaching Dodwood stuff stead O GED here in BC.

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http://www.fitspeek.com the Fraser Valley's fitness, wellness, and endurance sports podcast

Is she passionate about tri or passionate about being on the podium?


I ask because if she really is passionate about triathlon, then her drive and acclaimed enthusiasm would no doubt allow her to coach or get involved in race organisation. Perhaps even working with a sporting goods company's marketing department as a link to the athletes.

As others have said, her justification doesn't wash. Furthermore, her self proposed options aren't valid and a more accurate indication of her personality, I feel.

Not a moral dilemma; just a crap hand dealt. The guy doing the introduction on that link trashes 'unregulated' sports organisations. WTC provide the race, and the athlete is under no obligation to enter. It's not like they're USAT, etc... I'd be very surprised if WTC had regulations that were different from WADA. What governmental oversight would be recommended. It smacks of someone who doesn't understand sport and can't see beyond his enormous bias.

No this is a story of bad genetics. Period.

"There is no shame in not being a genius, the world needs plenty of carpenters" I can't remember where I heard that but it sums up this situation nicely.

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Rodney
TrainingPeaks | Altra Running | RAD Roller
http://www.goinglong.ca

no, this is a story about cheating and stupid logic, and about a douchebag CEO that supports cheating and stupid logic.

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Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

That too :)

And I just realized that her "sponsor" is a soda distributor :/

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Rodney
TrainingPeaks | Altra Running | RAD Roller
http://www.goinglong.ca

They lost me at "Morgan�s story is particularly unnerving as the right to the best healthcare available to an individual in a given geography is certainly an inalienable American right and arguably a basic human right as well. There is no need to argue this point as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is pretty clear in its mandate that Americans have a right to the best healthcare available."

Just wrong on so many levels.

Agree with the others, there's no injustice here. She gambled and lost, the rules were against her and therefore she got caught. She knew that was a possibility and now argues that life isn't fair.

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_____________________
Don't forget to attack!

Not buying this. I was in the testing pool for swimming and was tested the first time at 17. I knew all the big names as we had an information lecture we had to attend annually.

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___________________________________________
http://en.wikipedia.org/...eoesophageal_fistula
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_palsy
2020 National Masters Champion - M40-44 - 400m IM
Canadian Record Holder 35-39M & 40-44M - 200 m Butterfly (LCM)

I'm sure there were plenty of soldiers who made stupid decisions in WWII that they claimed were not their fault. Thankfully, in this case, nobody died or got their legs blown off because of such foolishness. There are plenty of documentaries about hubris and/or ignorance and the consequences, which is all this really is.

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"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp

X2

"I did not do my part as athlete by checking with the WTC to see if I could receive treatment"

Case closed and game over right there.

You are a professional athlete.

You and you alone are wholly responsible for what goes in your body.

There are governing bodies, coaches, doctors and other heathe are professionals that should have been consulted beforehand.

Testosterone must have been on the banned list of all sports for at least 30 years.

You completely missed the point being made.

Spot

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___________________________________________________
Taco cat spelled backwards is....taco cat.

Chaffin got caught taking a banned substance. The 2 year ban was appropriate. Lashing out at the penalty, the organization handing down the penalty, etc. is, in my opinion, a bit ridiculous, but Mahaska / Chaffin are free to write and say whatever they wish, even if it includes outlandish comparisons of Chaffin to WWII stories. Perhaps a more appropriate title for this thread should be "The incredibly poor judgment, or lack thereof, of a professional triathlete, and the consequences and challenges that she must now face."

She should've been banned from racing for money for the rest of her life.

How about Nina Kraft?

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Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep

There's nothing I hate worse than feeding a troll like you. I'm totally anticipating your standard response (sticking your fingers in your ears and pretending to not comprehend anything I've said, while you spout off whatever inane story you've already decided is going to form the backbone of your oddly-formatted response), but I believe someone who's receiving benefits from the rules they've previously broken shouldn't be allowed to participate with people who have never broken rules and had those unfair benefits.

Nina Kraft should be banned from competing to win money for the rest of her life.

I agree :)

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Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep

Or simply "A cheat got caught and bitch about it"

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Francois-Xavier Li @FrancoisLi
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." George Bernard Shaw
http://www.swimrunfrance.fr
http://www.worldofswimrun.com

It should be noted that she was part of the snapple tri team, the guy who manages, Bart, it worked (works?) with that congressman Jim Sesenbrener who raised a stink about USADA funding when they went after Lance -

http://snappletriteam.com/...le-team/bart-forsyth


When that happened Bart had a buddy post a thread about congress investigating USADA, without mentioned it was HE who started the the whole fucking thing.

high level douchebag stuff. wonder if he is behind this too.

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

I should not be surprised at the direction that this thread has taken, but it is tangential to my intended question to all of you, which is, "Given similar difficult choices between your long term health and racing tri, what would you do?" I'm not asking for continued character assassination but for you to "look in the mirror".

Really would you stop racing or would you quietly "cover it up" and hope it goes away.

Truth of the matter is that unfortunately there are always people out there trying to cheat the system which ultimately taints the sport.

"Really would you stop racing or would you quietly "cover it up" and hope it goes away. "


stop racing..... It really is not a difficult dilemna. I believe in playing by the rules, if you don't like the rules then work to have them changed. That is in my personal life as well as at work.

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

"Given similar difficult choices between your long term health and racing tri, what would you do?"

I don't even think this is a valid question. I think a vast majority (100% for all practical purposes) would put our health first. Then our family and their health. Then our jobs. And our hobby of triathlon would be way down on the list. I also think a large segment would, assuming our health allowed it, would continue our hobby, at least in the form of training. Some may compete. Some may not. Some may be open with the RD and accept the DQ. Others not. What we wouldn't do is try to draw a paycheck by attempting to race pro. We also would expect any pity if we decided to keep racing while on a banned substance and get caught.

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Take a short break from ST and read my blog:
http://tri-banter.blogspot.com/

This really isn't a hard choice. Your health comes first. We all have limiters, You compete with the body you have. And do we really know why her levels were low ? Over trained ? Will they come back up if she rests ?

It is tough to answer your question due to it being based on a false premise (potentially, multiple false premises). Chaffin states in her post that there is and she is currently taking a drug not currently banned which may allow her to race and be healthier. Chaffin could have applied for a TUE. She did not do either of these actions until after she was caught and appropriately suspended.

I'm not denying that Chaffin has health issues or difficulties relating thereto. If faced with a similar set of facts and circumstances, I'm assuming I would do what a responsible professional would do and seek answers prior to putting something in my body which may get me suspended. I would venture to guess that most persons responding to your thread have compassion towards Chaffin's health issues and wish her well, but do not believe the version of the story offered up to the general public. So, to "look into the mirror," based with your stated two options of quit racing or race while taking a banned substance, I'll go ahead and quit racing; my health is way more important and being a professional triathlete does not pay well.

Agree with you and I'll just tack on a truth I've come to embrace... life isn't always fair.

Maybe we should just make a TUE division. Then people like Morgan and Moats can continue to compete if they wish, but the rest of us can compete against a level playing field.

did kevin just go away or is he still racing?

There is no TUE for testosterone therapy and women, it is only for men. I agree that she must have known that, but if her history indicated a need for it and a reputable physician made the call then she made the correct choice for herself.

Moats wasn't gonna get no TUE

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

Look at the ranking results, he is still racing.

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Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep

has it been two years already?

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

A TUE is determined on a case-by-case basis, where the facts and circumstances, along with the substantial research on the topic available, are considered prior to making the ruling. If a TUE is not granted, she could appeal or seek to change the rules of the governing body. It is not the easiest path, nor a potentially successful one.

I do not disagree (nor agree) that following a doctor's recommendation was the right call for her health. (There is insufficient information available to determine whether the drug used was appropriate and/or warranted, other than what Chaffin has stated.) It was the wrong decision for a professional triathlete to make in taking a banned substance, especially considering there were alternatives available not on the banned substance list. The 2 year suspension was warranted.

She may have made the right medical decision for herself, no one is contesting that. It's the choice to race while on a banned substance that is being criticized. They are 2 separate decisions. She has apparently made a statement that she is now on an alternative treatment that does not include a banned substance. Strange that since she intended to race she did not select that option first and instead opted for a substance that is tremendously performance enhancing for women.

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Ed O'Malley
www.VeloVetta.com
Founder of VeloVetta Cycling Shoes
Instagram • Facebook

Not for women, they are explicit that they will never consider a TUE for women and testosterone. I can see why, it is different to give a woman testosterone than it is to give a man testosterone, the possibly physiological impacts are much more pronounced for women. Having said that, her history (if it is all true) may warrant USADA to reconsider that policy.

I agree with you that this should have been self-evident to her. I am not a fan of USADA but they don't hide their list or try to fool people. As a professional this thing should be taped to the wall. The proper course was to take treatment and not race while this was getting worked out.

Not saying this is wrong (I don't know the facts), but this quote from Kate Mittelstadt, Director of Anti-Doping for Ironman, in the linked report below, seems to imply that Chaffin might have received a TUE if she had applied for one:

===========================

"...professional athletes ... must take responsibility for what they put in their bodies, and seek advice from anti-doping authorities before proceeding with any medical treatment that involves a prohibited substance or prohibited method."

and:

Mittlestadt went on to say that �the Ironman anti-doping rules, which are made available to all race participants, clearly identify those substances that are prohibited�including testosterone�and require a Theraputic Use Exemption before they may be used.�

============================

Why wouldn't she have just said, or at least added, "female athletes will never receive a TUE for testosterone" if what you say is true?
Link to the story:
http://lavamagazine.com/...stosterone-positive/

Because people don't always speak clearly or know what they are talking about.

USADA has made it clear they will not consider TUEs for testosterone and women. this is a fact. It is a fact that could change, but it is a fact currently

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

For all we know USADA will reconsider. There is a bit of evidence that suggests balancing hormones for women (not just estrogen but testosterone too) is a valid treatment for women. I only know the TUE is restricted to men because in an earlier thread about TRT I looked up the waiver. Even for men the TUE is difficult to get, perhaps unnecessarily.

".....it strikes me as extremely scary that athletic regulators feel that it is within their enforcement power to overrule FDA & medical practitioner decisions on human health, and even scarier that not so much as an eyebrow is being raised by the public as these organizations continue to overstep their bounds."
----Branden Muhl


As a Private Pilot I have to see an Aviation Medical Examiner every two years. The Federal Aviation Administration has mandated that certain drugs, even those for health reasons, are not permitted to be used by pilots. In order to compete in International Aerobatic Meets, I must have a valid Medical certificate. I do not have a right to fly an airplane, nor do I have a right to drive a car or participate in a USAT sanctioned Triathlon.

My local bike club sponsors a "Fun" regional 25-100 mile bike ride every year to raise funds for a charity. No timining, no finishing medals, you can even cut the course, drafting is legal and nobody cares. They do not even enforce state and federal drug rules. Although I have never seen it, I am sure one could stop at a roadside reststop and smoke whatever......

Branden is just trying to sell his product and is whinning about the rules for one of his saleswomen. Triathlon without the rules is just a "Fun" Swim, Bike and Run with no timining or places.

My question is: What is the difference between a Pro Triathlete and a Salesman/woman?

Nooope
Just see the UFC for evidence of what happens when a TUE is easy to get

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

What does the UFC have to do with getting a TUE for testosterone? The TUE is written in such a way that immediately doubts the physician and the patient - I get that they got burned by LA but sort of like sudafed and meth, most people are not being nefarious with it.

Erm, long term health.

"You know that Coca-Cola is an official on course beverage at and consumed by "athletes" at aid stations. "

I assume you must be Branden Muhl, since that is what you tweeted to me. I assure you that 1) many people are aware that flat coke is available at Kona aid stations and 2) this will be perceived as a bizarre way to respond to this discussion. 3) Choosing the username triathh8er as your user name is childish and confusing given your sponsorship of a triathlete.

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Ed O'Malley
www.VeloVetta.com
Founder of VeloVetta Cycling Shoes
Instagram • Facebook

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

Keep digging..this could get interesting.

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"Good genes are not a requirement, just the obsession to beat ones brains out daily"...the Griz

Yup... this just got interesting...

Indeed.

I have no idea what the Coca-Cola reference means. Can you or Triathh8er explain?

He is offended that someone pointed out that the sponsor of a triathlete is a soda distributor, insinuating that soda is not the drink of a triathlete.

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Ed O'Malley
www.VeloVetta.com
Founder of VeloVetta Cycling Shoes
Instagram • Facebook

Early in the thread someone teased that he found it odd a cola company was sponsoring this athlete.

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

The newbie triathlete shuns all things like cola and becomes frighteningly passionate about kale.

Veteran triathletes occasionally turn to cola because it contains much needed calories...

He's expressed a some more opinions on the matter via twitter.

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Ed O'Malley
www.VeloVetta.com
Founder of VeloVetta Cycling Shoes
Instagram • Facebook

I don't think he should be expected to know why the rule is this way.
But then maybe he should be aware that he isn't an expert and not be so quick to weigh in.

But that wouldn't be very human.

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

True... though if he was truly uninformed, and then every opinion of the community his post is dealing with disagrees with him, joining the discussion as triathh8er doesn't make it sound like he feels our arguments are valid....

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Ed O'Malley
www.VeloVetta.com
Founder of VeloVetta Cycling Shoes
Instagram • Facebook

What do you mean he's not an expert?
His company passed out sport drink at RAGBRAI..Obviously he knows of what he speaks!

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"Good genes are not a requirement, just the obsession to beat ones brains out daily"...the Griz

Well yes, on beverages I'll defer to his wisdom.

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

He only got like 6 months, off season, so he never stopped racing I believe. He had really zero impact of the 7 years he doped.

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Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep

Oh man that sucks.
that guy deserved the lance treatment

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

Oh - he got his! Nothing a cheater cares more about than what others think of him. (do I really need to use pink here?)

Right after Litespeed picked him up maybe around '91 or '92 one of my pals and I went up to him to find out about his rig during bike check in for Gulf Coast. Was hilarious my buddy and I are looking at each other just asking questions left and right about his rig b/c we were both looking at ti and all Kevin could do was talk about his races and training and results. Did everything but talk about his bike, just about himself. Kind of embarrassed for him he was so self-absorbed he couldn't even do a cursory 'these frames rock' speech for his sponsor. But no matter I went out and bought one that summer anyway.

I can't be a porn star because of my....shortcomings...... so I'm an engineer. I got over not being able to live my dream years ago. I pay my mortgage every month. We all have to play the card we're dealt. Cheating and trying to justify it is simply not acceptable.

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TriDork

"Happiness is a myth. All you can hope for is to get laid once in a while, drunk once in a while and to eat chocolate every day"

She knew you're not supposed to take that why is she surprised

Soon 65yo and just diagnosed with prostate cancer. Testosterone feeds PC so hormone treatment to eliminate testosterone is a starting therapy. Problem is it takes some time to start working and the T spikes before going down. I chose to "remove both boys" for an immediate 95% reduction. That was done 3 weeks ago today and so I had to back out of IM70.3FL that was 5 days later. SUCKED!!!!!

I now run the risk of bone issues, muscle issues, plus????? with the direct treatment of the cancer soon to begin yet I still want to tri. Took me 13:31:48 to complete 2013 IMFL and have no idea what my next IM will be, but it will be done legally. Broken neck, clavicle, long thoracic nerve injury from bike crash in 2011, arthritic knees that give out while walking with braces on-running not possible, need a total left wrist and a total right shoulder joint replaced due to bone on bone/arthritis, every stroke is painful and sometimes get sick from head rotation during swim but completion is my goal so I will persevere until.....

Just another story from and old fart who started walking races 5 years ago, started swimming 3 years ago, had high hopes of conquering my tri world and instead had total world turned slightly upside down.

DAMN, I do enjoy doing a tri. For the fun of it, that bit of pain during and after, and to think I pay for.

"I chose to "remove both boys" for an immediate 95% reduction"


If you had dual orchiectomy you are eligible for a TUE for testosterone replacement, it's the simplest reason on the list. Though in your specific case, low testosterone is what you want so replacement testosterone probably isn't on your list of wants.

http://www.usada.org/...ism-testosterone.pdf

Apparently they did not like the criticism and took down the blog....

Likewise, I wish I could have had this thread taken down. I didn't see the unintended consequences coming. To be sure, the character assassination from the sanctimonious, "holier than thou" lot at ST will never pass up a good witch hunt when presented. I did apologise to Morgan for my mistake. Lesson learned.

It was a ridiculous article/blog. I think even the general public, no less the ST crowd is so tired of the "I didn't know it was an illegal substance" excuse. You have to know that before you post crap like that, got to be smarter than that.

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I *heart* weak, dumb ass people...

That is the second time you referenced "character assassination" in this thread, where you somehow point the finger at ST as the perpetrator. Chaffin, a professional triathlete, was busted for taking a prohibited substance and appropriately banned for two years. She inflicted the harm to her own character in the triathlon community, not some thread on ST illogically seeking solace from a predominantly anti-doping forum.

I'm just asking for a clarification b/c I certainly don't want to assume. How or what did you envision this thread turning out to be? Or rather maybe what kind of response did you feel when you digested the blog posting initially?

Simply; acknowledgement that it must be a really, really tough decision to have to quit Tri because of long term health issues and asking all of you to consider how you would act faced with the same decision.

I knew Morgan had stopped running due to the stress fracture and thus racing. I miss read the timing of the penalty in all the process. Did the injury come first or the treatment and thus the penalty? My post has heaped more crap on the situation that has caused a friend additional stress which I am responsible. I feel bad to have unleashed ST upon the situation.

of course it's a tough decision, no-one has said otherwise. But there is clearly a "correct" decision and an "incorrect" one here (the correct one does not contravene the rules of the sport, the incorrect one does).

The correct alternatives are either to take the medication and not race, or to not take the medication and continue racing. (or to not take the medication and not race, but that isn't really one of the desireable options). The incorrect alternative is to take the medication and continue to race, as that is against the rules of the sport, which are the athletes' responsibilities to know.

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

Ok well I know that must be an uncomfortable situation to be in on your end. If she is a friend perhaps she could explain to you exactly what happened at some point? The timing. The choices. What she did or didn't know. In my experience there are few things more transparent than looking into someone's eyes when conversing.

Since you can't do that on ST then maybe all of us should "lighten up" and not jump to conclusions.

I think there would be alot more sympathy for her if she quit the sport before she competed using testosterone. That would be a significantly different story. Although the hilarious comparison of some doping to people serving in WWII did brighten my day, so there is that.

Wouldn't it be awesome to go back a few days and apply that test b/f starting this thread? Or maybe just read what the blogger wrote a little more closely.

Blog post taken down.

I wonder why?

Kind of taken down, it can still be found http://tinyurl.com/k6r42a9

Seriously?

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My triathlon training blog

Well, at least someone learned a lesson

It is so hard to read Chaffin's post and ignore the outlandish claims within Branden Muhl's (Mahaska CEO) foreword:

• "Modern athletic regulatory organizations from the behemoths like the NCAA all the way down to the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) seem to be regularly overzealous with their enforcement mandates and infringing on the constitutional (and basic human rights) of the athletes who are subject to their unregulated, unilateral, and heavy-handed rule."
• "I doubt the WTC reviewed any of the publicly available data or medical factors at play in their decision to impose sanctions on Morgan as they do not have anyone qualified to do even semi-educated diligence in this regard."

I can certainly see why Muhl pulled the post. It is more damaging to Chaffin than helpful.

The internet never forgets..

So among others she talked to her coach about the testosterone replacement and he/she didn't raise any questions??

If she doesn't know the repercussions of what she's doing (unlikely) shouldn't any coach of a "professional" know exactly what's going to come her way??

Exactly. I also have health issues (including hormonal imbalances, osteoporosis, digestive tract issues), and sometimes my physicians have suggested meds that, as it turns out, are prohibited in competition ( the most recent was a corticosteroid suppository). Each time, I've pulled up the Global DRO, and if it's on the list, asked the doctor if there's something else that's NOT prohibited.

It hasn't come down to this yet, but if I absolutely had to go on something that was prohibited, that would be end of competition for me.

I find her refusal to act similarly really offensive, both to the spirit of sport in general and to others like myself who choose to play within the rules.