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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Anti-Doping_Agency
WADA sets the code, and works with the IOC, national anti-doping agencies, and the various athletic federations around the world. They are not the villain here in the case of Christian Craig. Having been involved in cycling for a long time in Canada, I've been tested a few times and I've also acted as a chaperone to a drug tester collecting samples at an event.
Here is roughly how it went for Christian. At Daytona he would have been contacted by the tester. The initiation of the testing would have been co-ordinated by the FIM. They would have a drug tester from the national anti-doping in this case USADA, show up at the race to do the testing on their behalf. The sample would be collected and sealed and sent off to the USADA/WADA accredited lab. Once the positive was found, notification would have went to the FIM with copies to USADA and WADA. It would then be the FIM who notifies Christian of his positive test. IN THIS CASE THEY NOTIFIED HIM 10 MONTHS LATER.
Again, the FIM is the reason that anti-doping in SX is a total shitshow. It's not WADA's fault. They only provide the framework.
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No doubt these guys are grinding to the point that supplementation is necessary to help them maintain and recover. Taking non FDA approved supplements without a 3rd part independent testing them is absolutely foolish.
Tickle and Craig both know where it came from. Don't believe for a second their camps don't.
I highly doubt Craig will be suspended for any substantial amount of time. While I understand it's now the riders discretion to reveal, I find it very strange he happens to choose now to put this out there 5 months later (when he was first notified) after what has been a horrendous season no doubt.
I admire the guy from coming back from paralysis, raising two little ones, and continuing to race professionally.
The time has come for full disclosure with rider injuries, clearly defined drug testing protocols, and a new 3rd party independent testing and review panel.
In a way that's correct, but the procedure in MX is that they send a team to an event where they'll test say, top three then say two alternate finishes, at random, those randoms are chosen DURING that race....this way, no one knows in advance to race on where to finish.
Say 1,2,3 and then at random, 7th and 10th
As soon as each rider in that position, exits the track, a WADA/USADA official is essentially an "escort"
They each sign some paperwork, then the escort keeps the rider in his/her sight at all times....and the rider to keep the official in sight as well, so no "funny business" happens
After rider gets a rest and some fluids back in them so they can piss, they go to AMA trailer and pee, under the supervision of that escort...both A and B sample
Sign off on paperwork, each sample and done until results come back
Good bye WADA & USADA.
I'm all for some form of testing/rule enforcement to try to level the playing field; however, from what I can see...this current system is NOT doing what was intended and getting a TIMELY response and ruling from our friends in Europe has been virtually non-existent.
On the other-hand: if we leave this current system...
What happens then?
As to your claim about him taking it to improve vascular constriction, I guess it's possible, but if only trace amounts were detected we'd need to see some scientific evidence on how much is required to actually make a performance gain, and what range that would be in a drug test. I am sure the data is out there somewhere, I just don't have time to dig it up.
Again, so much of this comes down to why are these healthy 20-something athletes turning to supplements all the time? There are hundreds of stories of athletes testing positive from contamination, and if one does enough research the true benefit of any of these supplements can almost always be debunked. Eat well, drink well, rest well and train well. I'd venture most of these guys turn to supplements because they are mentally fragile. It takes maturity to be content that just your own body with good fuel is enough to compete.
Tangential story: A friend of mine had problems years ago racing at a stage race in California. The random list was posted at the start but he missed it, and his name was on it. The stage was point to point so the finish was in a different location and the logistics were a pain. He finished, his rag-tag composite team load him up and they never went back to the start. He got notification a few weeks later that he had failed a drug test. He appealed and went through a painful process with the Canadian anti-doping group and Cycling Canada to get his suspension down to 6 months but it really hurt his career at the time. This was way back in 2003 or so, and things have changed a lot since then.
On the other hand, does ANYBODY care that it has the "World Championship" label on it?
AMA can't "go rogue" otherwise they're legally, internationally, just another outlaw series
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Maybe he knows something we don't, but I believe Craig has said Fields is acting as his mental coach, or something like that.
Feld has nothing to do with it
It's because it's AMA sanctioned, a signatory to the FIM
Just 1 thing will suffice.
Penalties not inline with other professional sports.
It's kind of like currency; your $20 bill is completely worthless. It only seems like it has value because everybody agrees that it has $20 worth of value.
So NOW we trust the AMA to do drug testing and get it right?
Oh, and be impartial?
Taking supplements is playing the lottery - except there is no real upside.
You ever think the riders are just not stupid enough to get sucked into marketing and publicity hype and ingest things from fly-by-night anonymous companies touting unrealistic benefits and results? The supplements industry is the modern day equivalent of snake oil salesmen.
Post a reply to: Christian Craig Contaminated Supplements