Halvard wrote:
You wrote: But again, the problem with the world is that I don't think anyone cares except the people doing the testing.
I do not agree. Growing up in sport I have never been around people talking about doping in other terms than just negative. But then I did not grow up or started my competitive career I the USA. I am shocked about the casual relationship many have to PED. When I hear people arguing that using testosterone is not doping, I get mad.
Luckily more and more countries are starting to fight doping, but a lot of work has to be done. The biggest threat to anti doping work is age groupers starting to justify cheating. That is why targeting testing of all suspicious athletes is the way to go. Having a separation between pros and AGs makes no sense, sport is sport.
You have the right to be cynical, but luckily you will help in the fight against doping by speaking up.
Actually, I think we agree more than you realize. I agree about the surprising relationship many have with PED's and the testosterone thing is sickening to me for various reasons. And I have said many times before on other threads that I fully support testing at all levels. My point about people not caring was a response to Saul's attempt to educate the public (my phrase, not his) that many if not most cyclists are clean.
While it is true that other riders care, and most up-and-coming athletes care about who is clean... the disengaged, ignorant, common-man doesn't care. They only see what's posted online or aired on TV or printed in articles... they do not see, nor do some care to see Saul's story or Dev's or Jack's or yours. All they know is that more and more athletes are doing illegal drugs, PED's, and cheating, and therefore they are basically taught that this is the norm and that we all do it.
Do you think all those dumb-asses who we talk about harassing cyclists and runners out on the road, or people who laugh at us because we hurt all the time and will probably die younger because of it, care that we are clean? I believe that no matter how many Sauls, Jordans, or Halvards there are the general public will only believe what they see on TV... and all they see on TV is Lance and how corrupt cycling is.
I've never believed I am cynical (perhaps so) but I believe the general public definitely is... perhaps by nature, perhaps by nurture... who knows.
edit: spelling
-Eric
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"The Fit Shall Inherit the Earth" -Endurance Conspiracy