"I called a spade a spade, I called him a doper to his face. He started yelling and swearing at me in Spanish. In my mind, once a doper always a doper. Once you cross over that line to cheat, doping, drafting, etc. it is a lot easier to do it again and after a while it appears these athletes become oblivious to the rules," said Starykowicz. "Is triathlon a second chance for these athletes? No."
Starky says no.
Also some food for thought:
To put the efforts of Guerra and Colom in perspective, at the 2012 Ironman 70.3 Texas Lance Armstrong was about 1.5 minutes slower on the bike than Sebastian Kienle, and the now disgraced Texan was well known and respected for his dominating TT skills and speed. But Guerra and Colom can apparently ride 3-4 minutes faster than Kienle on the same distance after an opening 1.2 mile swim.
Virtually saying either he's a better cheater than LA or better time trialist?
I second T.O.'s thoughts on the matter (article is a good read):
I would agree with some of the other professionals on a strong stance against the 1st degree (as I call them) doping offenses. Such a blatant disregard for the spirit of sport and for your competitors by using these doping methods should not be looked upon lightly. Racing professionally is a privilege, not a right. I often hear people say these athletes made mistakes and deserve a second chance. Taking a supplement that is cross-contaminated and getting a positive test is a mistake, that deserves a second chance. Calculating blood doping schedules and micro-dosing EPO is a deliberate attempt to gain an advantage over your competitors and it is malicious. The first degree doping offenders do not deserve a second chance in professional competition. They may deserve a second chance in other aspects of their life, but not in racing. I know convicted dopers that are really nice guys and who would be great company over a beer. Would I be willing to forgive past transgressions and be cordial over a drink, sure. Would I gladly invite them to the start line of a race after two years, no. Like I said, racing professionally is a privilege, when that privilege is disrespected and abused it should be revoked.
When it comes to the influx of cyclists with 1st degree offenses that have decided to pursue triathlon, I say don't bring your dirty laundry into our sport. The norm in triathlon is clean competitors not dirty. Are there triathletes doping while I type this sentence, I am sure there are some. However, it will not be accepted by the overwhelming majority of professional triathletes. We will not let our sport go the way of cycling in the past and we need to do our best to make sure we let that be known.
Starky says no.
Also some food for thought:
To put the efforts of Guerra and Colom in perspective, at the 2012 Ironman 70.3 Texas Lance Armstrong was about 1.5 minutes slower on the bike than Sebastian Kienle, and the now disgraced Texan was well known and respected for his dominating TT skills and speed. But Guerra and Colom can apparently ride 3-4 minutes faster than Kienle on the same distance after an opening 1.2 mile swim.
Virtually saying either he's a better cheater than LA or better time trialist?
I second T.O.'s thoughts on the matter (article is a good read):
I would agree with some of the other professionals on a strong stance against the 1st degree (as I call them) doping offenses. Such a blatant disregard for the spirit of sport and for your competitors by using these doping methods should not be looked upon lightly. Racing professionally is a privilege, not a right. I often hear people say these athletes made mistakes and deserve a second chance. Taking a supplement that is cross-contaminated and getting a positive test is a mistake, that deserves a second chance. Calculating blood doping schedules and micro-dosing EPO is a deliberate attempt to gain an advantage over your competitors and it is malicious. The first degree doping offenders do not deserve a second chance in professional competition. They may deserve a second chance in other aspects of their life, but not in racing. I know convicted dopers that are really nice guys and who would be great company over a beer. Would I be willing to forgive past transgressions and be cordial over a drink, sure. Would I gladly invite them to the start line of a race after two years, no. Like I said, racing professionally is a privilege, when that privilege is disrespected and abused it should be revoked.
When it comes to the influx of cyclists with 1st degree offenses that have decided to pursue triathlon, I say don't bring your dirty laundry into our sport. The norm in triathlon is clean competitors not dirty. Are there triathletes doping while I type this sentence, I am sure there are some. However, it will not be accepted by the overwhelming majority of professional triathletes. We will not let our sport go the way of cycling in the past and we need to do our best to make sure we let that be known.
Last edited by:
rjrankin83: Sep 7, 14 14:48