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There's no hope: Racewalker banned for EPO

From Xinhuanet:

Former Chinese Olympian race walker Song Hongjuan was busted for EPO.

According to the Chinese Athletic Association's website, the 24-year-old race walker, who placed 14th in the women's 20 kilometers walk at the Athens Olympic Games four years ago, tested positive for erythropoietin at a competition here in February.

Apparently, according to CNBC, some Russian race walkers have been banned, too.

If race walkers are doping, can there be any hope for clean sports? The short answer is no.

1 recs  |  Comment 72 comments

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Every sport is open to doping

It’s just the way of the world currently. But the fact that they are being nabbed is reason for optimism. At least that’s the way I’m choosing to view things.

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Aug 6, 2008 9:04 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

If money and/or fame is at stake

people will always cheat.

It’s like that EVERYWHERE in society. The puzzling thing is why anyone would think sports would be any different.

by Toyota on Aug 6, 2008 9:42 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

although my post is somewhat tongue in cheek

I’m inclined to agree with you.

However, in this case, how much money and fame are at stake? That is the comical (or sad) part of the story. The risk involved in cheating (getting caught) or health side effects (death by heart failure in this case) doesn’t seem to measure up to the reward.

by KevinK on Aug 6, 2008 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pressure

can be a stronger force than even money or fame.

That pressure can be self-inflicted, from family, entourage…

As for health risks, young people have never had that as their primary concern generally.

by Toyota on Aug 6, 2008 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

Who knows what this event means to the athlete? Possibly everything.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris... on Aug 6, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Money and fame not required

As long as there is competition, there will be cheaters. Always have been, always will be. A lot of people subscribe to the theory that states if you’re not cheating you’re not trying hard enough.

Pretty sad, really.

by johnw on Aug 6, 2008 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Competition??

pfft, I cheat at Solitaire.

by Monty. on Aug 6, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

maybe if ping-pong were involved

Well…. I won’t be surprised if some ping pong team gets ejected.

What sport is the least likely to benefit from dopage?

by KevinK on Aug 6, 2008 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Competitive eating...

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 6, 2008 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow... I haven't heard about Catfish Noodling in a long time...

... about as long as the last time I heard about frog gigging. Which, despite it’s odd sounding name, has absolutely nothing to do with Quagmire.

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 6, 2008 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Giggedy giggedy

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Aug 6, 2008 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh riiiiiight...

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 6, 2008 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

oh, like this?

from here (about 1/3 in)

by JFS_PGH on Aug 8, 2008 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh man... I reaaaly, realllly wanted to like that movie...

... maybe I need to give it another chance.

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 8, 2008 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

(nodding vigorously)

Wanted to in the worst way but ultimately could not do it. The whole frog eating scene just blew it for me. I absolutely admire the concept and the animation itself, but the overall execution I just couldn’t warm up to.

Plus it took me weeks to get that fucking song out of my head.

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Aug 8, 2008 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

that song...

oh dear god that song!!!

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 8, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dude, ping-pong is serious

at that level. My cousin was a US Olympic Table Tennis alternate in the 80’s. He used to use me for target practice. That little ball is moving and all that arm swinging takes a toll!

Just ask \o/

by rocketpress on Aug 6, 2008 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah... I got a few welts playing table tennis...

... with the Indian engineers at the company I worked for up in Silicon Valley. When Mandeep was standing about ten feet off the end of the table and got both cheeks into it and that thing slammed up from the table and into my chest… you felt it for a couple of days.

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 6, 2008 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I went to the gold medal match in '96

and it was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. The place went nuts.

by Sui Juris on Aug 6, 2008 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Speaking of '96...

did you catch the men’s RR then?

by itswells on Aug 6, 2008 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

sadly, no

Didn’t have tickets, and was only peripherally interested in pro cycling at that point, I regret to say. Due to the wonderfully lax ethics rules of Georgia state gov’t, though, I did end up with tickets for medal matches in table tennis, fencing, basketball and something else that’s not coming to mind at the moment. Work shut down for two weeks, and I lived right across the street from the second biggest venue (Georgia Dome). Up there in the competition for Best Summer Ever.

by Sui Juris on Aug 6, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well...

the beauty of the Road Race was…no tix were required. My wife (then fiance) and I camped in SC and drove to the Buckhead section of Atlanta with little clue as to where to go. No lie, I rolled up a couple of hours before it started and parked 1 block from the Start/Finish line!

I have 3 distinct memories from that day:
1) It was hotter than a flim-flam.
2) Sitting on the curb, I watched the entire Danish women’s swim team walk past (yes, they look exactly like you’re thinking). My wife let it slip because of her unashamed crush on Miguel Indurain (which she still has).
3) I have a picture of Lance attacking up against the barriers w/4 laps remaining and me yelling “no, no, no…it’s still to early.”

by itswells on Aug 6, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What, praytell, is a "flim-flam"?

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 6, 2008 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's similar to a razzle dazzle

only slightly less hoity toity

by Jimbo... on Aug 6, 2008 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Razzle Dazzle...

... Hut, two, three, four…
... Hut, two, three, four…
... The Quick Brown Fox Jumped Over The Lazy Dog… ... ... ... Sir!

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 6, 2008 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh no you di'int?

Boom- chugga lugga lugga
Boom- chugga lugga lugga
Boom- chugga lugga lugga
BOOM!

and the spiral continues.

by itswells on Aug 6, 2008 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's "Boom shaka-laka-laka" to you buddy...

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 6, 2008 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not on my

stretched out VHS copy.

by itswells on Aug 6, 2008 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The "Sir" above is linked to the YouTubery...

... but Chris’ whatever-you-call-this-color-scheme doesn’t show that very well…

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 6, 2008 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, I see that

and I concede your “Boom shaka-laka-laka” correction. Ya know, I’d also like to dedicate my re-training to my newest, bestest buddy and big-toe, Sgt. crashdan.

by itswells on Aug 6, 2008 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lighten up...

... Francis.

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 6, 2008 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd like to hear more about the swim team

“It’s Czeckoslavakia. We zip in, we zip out, it’s like going to Wisconsin.”

“I got the shit kicked out of me in Wisconsin.”

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Aug 7, 2008 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

By not so happy cows?

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Aug 7, 2008 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not so happy cheese heads...

... Adios Favre… welcome to the Big Apple… er… well, ok it’s Jersey…

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 7, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm buried in cycling right now so the Favre stuff has not registered yet.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Aug 7, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yo favre

welcome to the afc east

"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind

by umwolverine on Aug 7, 2008 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hehehehe

Belichick can’t wait.

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Aug 7, 2008 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bellichick probably has 3,421 hours of Favre on tape already...

... now it’s just a matter of executing on the field, what he’s had planned out. Of course, will the Patriots have to study the Packer’s signs or the Jet’s signs now?

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 7, 2008 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Are you kidding?

He knows everybody’s signs. That’s why we love him, he’s very thorough.

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Aug 7, 2008 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well... he's

18-1 thorough :D

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 7, 2008 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

As they say

you can’t win em all :-)

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Aug 7, 2008 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 8, 2008 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Crappy competition,

17 game season.

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Aug 8, 2008 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Excuses.

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 8, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I so love that movie.

We’re all very different people. We’re not Watusi, we’re not Spartans, we’re Americans. With a capital “A”, huh? And you know what that means? Do you? That means that our forefathers were kicked out of every decent country in the world. We are the wretched refuse. We’re the underdog. We’re mutts.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Aug 6, 2008 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

sweet

now I have something else to kick myself for.

(Seriously, as some might have surmised from my posts around here, I think the Olympics are a complete scam. But actually being there? An almost indescribable level of cool. The world partied in my front yard for two weeks straight. Not even a fucked up winger with a bomb could ruin it for us.)

by Sui Juris on Aug 6, 2008 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow... talk about mantastic!

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 7, 2008 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

now that's

some domestic terrorism, right there.

by Sui Juris on Aug 7, 2008 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL!

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 7, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It always makes me think that

Lance was riding with a full blown case of cancer at that point and still finished 14th. I’ve got mixed feelings on him but will never question his toughness.

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Aug 7, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Interesting...

... I never thought about that…

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 7, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

IIRC

he was officially diagnosed in September or October and at that time his nut was about the size of a lemon. He also had those tumors in his lungs as well, so the physical strain that must have put on his system had to have been enormous.

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Aug 7, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That’s one of the beauties of bike racing: tough to sell tickets. Of course, on a straight shot course, it’s a bit tough to follow the race unfold, but what are you going to do?

I saw the start of a tour stage in ‘90. Not much racing to see at the start, but Chiapucci was having fun throwing Carrera headbands to the crowd. I caught one, but have no idea what became of it. There was an extreme lack of bathrooms. I found myself pissing on the same tree as several members of the 7-11 team.

Seconds after the riders departed, spectators ripped apart every last bit of constructed prerace stuff. There was nothing standing and not much left but the debris too small to be identifiable within 15 minutes.

by jae on Aug 6, 2008 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tough to sell tickets and view indeed.

Hence the popularity of the “office park crit”...have lungs – will race!

by itswells on Aug 6, 2008 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Xinhuanet

An odd concept indeed. Here’s one use I can think of though:

“Today’s list of banned websites include…”

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris... on Aug 6, 2008 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

A pistol shooter, Sergei Aliferenko, were kicked out today because of doping. He had used Dexamethasone.

Bork, bork, bork!

by TheFigurehead on Aug 6, 2008 10:09 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

?

How is that supposed to help a marksman? Strange.

If I just had one more gear, I...

by SpunOut on Aug 6, 2008 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Adrenal?

In the linked Wiki article it looks like it reduces the “Pituitary-Adrenal Axis” Perhaps by reducing the adrenal response it clams the shooter and makes him/her more accurate. I know that the Biathlon folks try to lower their heart rate as much as possible before shooting. In fact good ones can fire between heart beats.

by johnw on Aug 6, 2008 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

clams?

make that calms.

Sheesh, not enough caffeine yet, I guess. :)

by johnw on Aug 6, 2008 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thank goodness

I thought I was going to have to try and figure out the adrenal response of clams

"...The mind has to rule the body and tell the body, shut up and do what I tell you to do..." Jens!

by Clydesdale on Aug 6, 2008 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ahhh... the bivalves appear in a second thread...

... they must be migrating.

I was present at an undersea, unexplained mass sponge migration…

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 6, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Listen!

do you smell something?

by Jimbo... on Aug 6, 2008 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Classic!

That’s my absolutely favorite line.

I know, it said "als" instead of "ist"... don't give me any crap...

by crashdan on Aug 6, 2008 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Come here Francine.......

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Aug 6, 2008 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

would have preferred...

I would have preferred to see a racewalker banned for skipping or jogging.

-Greg

by gregm on Aug 6, 2008 11:00 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

napping?

Is that like being sent to your room? :) :)

-Greg

by gregm on Aug 6, 2008 12:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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