Pete wrote:
Congrats on the win Jordan.
(man, how many times have we said that now???)
Not implying anything untoward, but were you drug tested? Was the presence of testers/testing any better or worse than other years, or same old same old?
2010 year was the first year of testing at IMC. IMAZ in 2009 was the first non-Kona Ironman where there was ANY testing at all mandated by WTC; I believe IM Germany has had it, but the race itself chooses to do so, not WTC. I was tested (urine only), as was Torsten and Bert. I am not sure what women were tested, but I would assume podium finishers as well.
I was a bit surprised that it was urine only. WTC has shifted to blood-and-urine at all tests. Though my last test was urine only as the phlebotomist got called to the hospital when CCES had scheduled to come test me. And I guess they could not find a replacement on short notice. I do not know why it was just urine at the race.
Please don't feel bad about implying anything untoward. I accept that it's a reality of being a professional athlete. My mother said to me, "does anyone think you are on drugs?" My reply was that I am sure there is SOMEONE who does. She was horrified (she's my mom). But I said, "I had a terrible accident, and now I'm back racing at a high level. As much as people find some stories like that inspiring, the public has been burned too many times by 'amazing' comebacks. Look at Lance and the controversy there. I am sure there is someone who believes that drugs were a part of how I was able to come back. And you know what? I totally understand that position." My mom said, "No one who knows you could think that..." To which I replied, "Do you think Marion Jones, Lance, Floyd, Tyler, etc, etc didn't have any friends that were SURE they were clean?"
Unfortunately, there is no way to prove a negative. I have never knowingly taken a banned substance. And I do my absolute best to make sure that I never unknowingly take one by buying something that could be contaminated. But I also realize that it's totally naive for me to ask people to be 100% sure I am not lying because, simply put, athletes have an awful track record. The system is what it is. It is imperfect, and I suspect it always will be. I think that's sad, but it's reality.
I race clean, and I do my best to take advantage of the means that are available to me to prove that. But, unfortunately, I know that isn't particularly powerful given what we know about how easily athletes seem to cheat the system, and while I lament that, I guess I just have to be resigned to accept it. Thankfully, I believe triathlon is a pretty clean sport. I don't know if could be a cyclist, where, even if you are clean, everyone looks at you like you are a doper.
I'm sure that was more than you were asking for, but hopefully it's still useful/informative.
"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp