If they do Coke, is it simply recreational?
by Christopher See on Jun 12, 2009 11:27 PM EDT
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PrintItalian anti-doping expert Sandro Donati has challenged the notion that there is no direct correlation between recreational cocaine use and the abuse of performance enhancing drugs, saying this week that the two are often linked.
Interesting view of things to say the least. The quote is from a Cyclingnews.com (will open a new window). It seems to imply, without pointing a finger at anyone specifically, that there is a causal link between recreational coke use and PED's. It would be interesting to see the/any supporting data, but there is nothing specifically mentioned. The comments were apparently made at he Coventry meet up that brought the Lemond comments that have brewed up such controversy. Donati makes the claim that coke is used to help with withdrawal symptoms from PED's. His claims would appear to be based on his experience as an aid to doping prosecutors, and as a coach.
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Uh.. That ain't recreational use
If you are using cocaine to help withdrawal symptoms of PED’s, (s an aside, what the heck would those be for cyclists? HGH or Testosterone bounce I guess.) then that is not “recreational” use of cocaine. Its using it as a specific adjunct as a medication, not recreationally, like, say, at a party.
Back to the 'roids . . .
Its a vicious cycle of ’roids, coke, roids, coke — or at least that is the theory.
Sounds plausible and deserves investigation. UCI ought to have power to force Boonen to submit to a thorough physical and frequent tox screens given his multiple positives.
Snort
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
Meant for Nikki's comment
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
LoL.. I didn't even think of that... hehehehe
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
Well if you look at those Italian cyclists from a few years ago like Pantani and Simoni (oh sorry I forgot those were tainted chocolates from grandmother)
I doubt Boonen was using it get rid of side effects because if he was one something he would actually win a sprint once in a while.
Oh that is worthy of a "snort" too
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
Mr Donati on video making the remarks here
He is first speaker. Go to about 12 mintues in to get the Q & A where he says above.
Speaker profile here
http://www.playthegame.org/knowledge-bank/author-profile/sandro-donati.html
There is a lot of interesting stuff going on at the conference. The first speaker of the second part of the above session (link under the timer) at the conference is from a drug company that makes HGH. Depressing point she makes is that 20 years ago it was considered difficult to make – now it is easy apparently. Michael Assenden and many others also giving presentations (the doping session MA speaks at not “on demand” unfortunately as I type)
Lots of links between PEDS use and "recreational drugs", at least in the US
This is an interesting take on the PEDS/coke issue, at least from a European perspective. If one looks at the issue from the American perspective, a lot of the same players are involved in diversion or smuggling of PEDS to athletes that are also involved in recreational drugs smuggling and sales. One thing that has been noticed by law enforcement is that cartels that smuggle marijuana and coke into and around the US often traffic in steroids, HGH, EPO, etc.
Similar profit potential, similar unwritten rules I suppose.
One would imagine from the users perspective that the “high” one gets from a programmed EPO or steroid cycle is dearly missed as one tapers off to avoid testers. I say this not in the sense of a recreational high one gets from alcohol and illegal drugs, but rather the feeling of strength and invincibility that these drugs can give you. Perhaps some athletes reach for cocaine or alcohol to fill that void.
Utterly personal anecdote here: I am a recreational bike racer/triathlete. I hate PED use, but last year I got a nasty skin rash that my doctor treated with a large (but short term) dose of prednisone. Felt like Superman on the bike for several days afterwards…no wonder this stuff is illegal for competition !
Lets ask . . .
Dr.s Ferrari, Fuentes, Heinrich, Schmid. Also, Stephen Matsinger, Chris Carmichel, etc., etc.
Ah, it's all clear to me now.
The fashion shoots, flashy cars, drunk driving, repeated use of cocaine and ecstasy—-all just a front to hide the fact that Boonen was only using for PED withdrawal. Extremely clever of him to spend years camouflaging himself as a high-living party boy. Chapeau!
Hey, anything is possible, but in general, if it walks like a duck…
I can't understand why people cheat--Mark Cavendish
correlation could be indirect
linked by nothing more than
a) a tendency to ignore inconvenient laws and regulations that get in the way of your immediate goals
b) having a ready source (i.e. if you have a safe source for one, they can likely supply both? Not sure about this)
c) financial pressures. Coke’s not cheap, so you better be winning / have a good contract to pay for it.
d) Winning due to doping and being high on coke both have aspects of artificiality. If you find one worthwhile/enjoyable, you may also find the other worthwhile/enjoyable.
e) if you have doubts / stress about doping, I suppose the self-assurance ego-boost of coke would be a real relief from that.
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