USAT AG Drug Testing (pilot program)

AG testing is stupid. If someone wants to spend a ton of money on EPO, HGH, blood doping, or whatever let them. I think there should be more testing for Pros, but as AGers, we are out there essentially 'to have fun.' What other sport tests AGers? AGers normally have jobs and are not out there racing a livelyhood, hence why they are not a Pro.

I know there is doping going on in the AG ranks, but so what? 

x2

I don't know anything about meds/drugs, but I've heard that a lot of AGers would fail regular drug tests, because banned substances are found in a lot of common medications. Not sure how accurate that is.

Is that even within their rights? I mean, I guess it would have to be disclosed at registration and wavers signed, etc. Not sure, though.....

I totally see what you are saying, but cheating is cheating. There is without a doubt a huge issue with AG's taking PEDS. So if you go to a race and miss qualifying for Kona by 1 slot because someone ahead of you took epo, you are ok with that?

What if they do test positive then what? Ban them? From what? Again we (AGers) are not out to win money, so if you ban an AGer there are a million other non-USAT sactioned races. Could they still 'buy' their way into races through community fund slots? or get to Kona through the lottery?

I would rather them work on solving the drafting issue by implementing stricter penalties…

I don't see this actually being implemented...  Age group athletes are amateurs.  Until they include amateurs in the pro prize pull there is no reason to even try this.  They need to spend more time on actual rule regulation such as drafting or what they plan on doing about speed suits.

Agreed 100%   There is just no way to do this for amateurs that makes any sense.

Well you can start at this link and spend all day reading about it. Granted not all of these people are triathletes, but there are a number of posts from people stating that they are triathletes. Keep in mind that these are people who are comfortable stating all of this in a public forum, we can only guess as to how many keep it to themselves. It would be great to believe that AGers are not cheating, but I personally think you are being a little naive if you do.

I guess i should post the link.

http://www.cuttingedgemuscle.com/Forum/showthread.php?s=4ccc57839d99f8d407cfdceab7182ed8&threadid=18284

Considering the extreme competetiveness of top AGers and the currently absent testing for PEDs amongst their ranks, I would tend to think doping occurs more at the top echelon of AGer than the pros, who risk being tested routinely and risk being banned from competition and losing lucrative sponsorships for positive (or even suspect) test results.

I can't be convinced that some top AGers who have the time to train nearly as much as pros, have the money for the best coaching and equipment money can buy, will stop short of taking performance enhancers when it comes to a podium spot, Kona slot, whatever.  In our current system, they have everything to gain and nothing to lose by doping.

I would support random testing of the top AG finishers (whether it is a random sampling of the top 10, or the podium finishers), at major races such as 70.3 and IM championship qualifyers, nationals, etc. Such random sampling would place those who alrerady know they are in contention with the foreknowledge that they could be tested, and would also be well-versed in what was banned, have medical exemptions, whatever. 

I've never tried to hide the fact that even though I'm a solid BOPer, I've been taking DHMO for years. My wife harps on me for taking so much during training, but I'm convinced it is just about the best performance enhancer I've ever come across and around here, it's as plentiful as water and until I'm a podium contender, I'll keep taking it.

I have moderate reactive airway disease (fully diagnosed by  methylcholine challenge - thanks Navy).  But being a physician I often use sample inhalers (partly to be able to tell patients the side effects, etc).  So no pharmacy label on them - I guess I will have to laminate prescriptions from my doc for each type of inhaler I MIGHT use???

not that I am on the podium  but sheesh  what a waste of time - think of all the cold meds that contain banned substances!