Dwain Chambers set for Olympic verdict

[Taf]

He cheated, he got caught, he admitted it... ban should stand...

Originally Posted by c_r

I agree completely. It seems totally unfair that Chambers can't compete at the Olympics yet there will be athletes there who have also failed drugs tests. And in defence of him, he's one of the few people who have actually admitted their guilt.

So?What sort of argument is that?Just because other countries aren't so particular is no reason for us to drop our standards.We are an example of true respect for sportsmanship by sticking to this rule.

[c_r]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

So?What sort of argument is that?Just because other countries aren't so particular is no reason for us to drop our standards.We are an example of true respect for sportsmanship by sticking to this rule.

I'm not saying that we should drop our standards but that other countries should raise theirs. At the very least there needs to be a level playing field or the Olympics become completely devalued. What's the point of the medal table when some countries are allowed athletes who have been found to take drugs and some countries aren't?

There also seems to be an element of picking on him because he is higher profile. The shot putter Carl Myerscough was also banned for 2 years for taking drugs (and, like most drug cheats, still protests his innocence) yet there was virtually no mention of him when he took part recently in the World Indoor Athletics Championships - all the stick seemed to be reserved for Chambers. And of course let's not forget Linford Christie who is still revered amongst some in UK athletics circles yet was found to have been taking drugs at the end of his career, thus nullifying all his previous achievements.

Originally Posted by c_r

I'm not saying that we should drop our standards but that other countries should raise theirs. At the very least there needs to be a level playing field or the Olympics become completely devalued. What's the point of the medal table when some countries are allowed athletes who have been found to take drugs and some countries aren't?

There also seems to be an element of picking on him because he is higher profile. The shot putter Carl Myerscough was also banned for 2 years for taking drugs (and, like most drug cheats, still protests his innocence) yet there was virtually no mention of him when he took part recently in the World Indoor Athletics Championships - all the stick seemed to be reserved for Chambers. And of course let's not forget Linford Christie who is still revered amongst some in UK athletics circles yet was found to have been taking drugs at the end of his career, thus nullifying all his previous achievements.

But everyone faces the same ban when it comes to the Olympics.Chambers is still free to enter athletic events at national level..just not at Olympic level.

[c_r]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

But everyone faces the same ban when it comes to the Olympics.

Well everyone from the UK does yes but what about other countries? Don't you think the Olympics become devalued when not all countries are on a level playing field?

Yes but I cannot see that we can do anything else...It is up to the Olympic committee to instigate such a rule and stick to it...

[c_r]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Yes but I cannot see that we can do anything else...It is up to the Olympic committee to instigate such a rule and stick to it...

Well the IOC abide by the WADA's code. Chambers is allowed to compete according to that, it's just that the BOA have far more stringent rules than anyone else so won't select him. I suppose that allows us to take the moral high ground but it doesn't seem very fair in a worldwide competition.

what can I say to that..you know my viewpoint..it was hardly fair on Chambers team mates who lost out on a gold medal after all.

[Cobbydaler]

Dwain Chambers eligible for London 2012 after court ruling

Britain's former drugs cheats can compete at London 2012 after a court overturned the British Olympic Association's policy of handing out lifetime bans, BBC Sport has learned.
The BOA has lost its battle with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

Link

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Cobbydaler

Link

So cheats are still allowed to prosper it seems.

My opinion is unprintable.The Olympics are now as far as I'm concerned completely and utterly demeaned as the vehicle of supreme sport.

And four-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy said recently that the fight to keep sport clean could take a backwards step if the lifetime Olympic ban was overturned.
"It will be sad if we have to fall in line with the rest of the world," said the Scot.
"I don't see anything wrong with having more stringent rules. I think it should be the rest of the world that's falling in line with our rules."

Exactly.

[Hom3r]

IMHO all drug cheats should have life bans in all sport at all levels.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

My opinion is unprintable.The Olympics are now as far as I'm concerned completely and utterly demeaned as the vehicle of supreme sport.

My feelings are the Olympics are just a money making exercise now.


Exactly.

Originally Posted by Hom3r

IMHO all drug cheats should have life bans in all sport at all levels.

[Kymmy]

All fine saying ban them for life, but what about false starters.. they are in essence trying to cheat.. shall we ban them for a year??

Few other organizations ban for life, I'd hope that he and others will learn a lesson and never do it again after a 5 year ban with perhaps regular tests he pays for to prove that he's not cheating..

[Hom3r]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

All fine saying ban them for life, but what about false starters.. they are in essence trying to cheat.. shall we ban them for a year??

Few other organizations ban for life, I'd hope that he and others will learn a lesson and never do it again after a 5 year ban with perhaps regular tests he pays for to prove that he's not cheating..

From what I have heard about "False Starts" is it down to reaction times, plus if you flex/adjust you foot it can count as a false start.

Plus nobody is forced to take drugs.

I heard a comedian say prehaps they should have a "Drug cheat" games and let them take all the preformance enhancing drugs and see what records they could beat.