Foo - not a performance enhancing drug?

December 20, 2003


Source: CyclingNews.com

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced Friday that mountain biker Gary Houseman tested positive at the UCI World Cup on July 12, 2003 at Grouse Mountain, Canada. Houseman tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a metabolite of marijuana. Under UCI rules, THC is a prohibited substance tested for during competition.

In accordance with the USADA Protocol for Olympic Movement Testing, the case was referred to USADA on Oct. 17, 2003 for adjudication from USA Cycling, which received the case from the UCI.

Houseman, 23, accepted a one-year suspension from competition beginning on July 12, 2003. In addition, all results which occurred on or after the date of the positive test are declared invalid, including his win in the downhill competition at the UCI World Cup at Grouse Mountain. Houseman also received a fine of 2,000 Swiss Francs, in accordance with UCI rules. USA Cycling will carry out the sanction.

As a comedian I saw on t.v. said in reference to canadian snowboarder stripped of medal for pot.." it's not a performance enhancing drug. should have given him 2 medals for making the run and not stopping for munchies halfway."

I think this is more of a case of him being a role model. A lot of children look up to athletes and some people want to keep these children sheltered from this kind of stuff.

I agree with one caveat. In some sports weed helps perfomance in the way it hinders proper thought. Lines you would normally be warry on the hit like lightening. It is surprising how numbing weed is on a bike trail. If it doesn't kill you on the way down, it would definately make you less likely to slow down. Whether or not this would actually affect time trials is circumstantial at best, but just a point.

As for being a role model. Athletes should not be held up to the responsibility. It is the parents job to explain the difference between athletes and role models. If the parents failed at this it is not the athletes fault.



As a comedian I saw on t.v. said in reference to canadian snowboarder stripped of medal for pot.." it's not a performance enhancing drug. should have given him 2 medals for making the run and not stopping for munchies halfway."


I think this is ross rebliagti (sp). He got it back plus all of his sponsors and many many perks here in whistler.

Whether THC is a performance enhancer or not, and whether you agree with the law or not, marijuana is illegal. Period. If someone tests positive for it, they should be brought to task.

If you don't like, try to get the law changed.

Whether THC is a performance enhancer or not, and whether you agree with the law or not, marijuana is illegal. Period. If someone tests positive for it, they should be brought to task.

If you don't like, try to get the law changed.

We are...but past the laws we ARE talking sports perfomance, not legal issues.

As for being a role model. Athletes should not be held up to the responsibility. It is the parents job to explain the difference between athletes and role models. If the parents failed at this it is not the athletes fault.


Without being held to that responsibility by the kind folks that sign their paychecks, professional sports would die.

Perhaps unfair to the "athlete", but obeying the organizations rules is exactly what each player signs onto when contract times come round. It is thier job to play well, work hard, and stay squeaky clean. People just won't line up with thier kids to watch a bunch of stoned guys playing sports.

Good role models puts butts in the seats, and green in the pockets.


ehenz

A mountain biker that smokes pot? Well shock horror - who would have thought such a thing was possible?

As for the role model thing - I can think of no more shallow and meaningless enterprise than professional sports (modeling being the only exception). I would rather my children find more worthwhile men and women to model their lives upon.

Good role models puts butts in the seats, and green in the pockets.


Is that really the purpose you believe role models serve?

We are...but past the laws we ARE talking sports perfomance, not legal issues.

No, we are talking about a cyclist suspended for one year for using an illegal substance.

Maybe next they should make sure that the athlete's taxes are paid up, they don't have any outstanding parking tickets and their property is up to code. If not, they can't race, it's the law.

If an athlete was caught smoking pot or deemed under the influence at an event, I could see a suspension because that would affect sponsorship and the whole "role model" thing. Otherwise, why test for a non-performance enhancing drug? What purpose does it serve?

-s

Interesting, according to UCI regulations marijuana is only illegal in downhill mountain biking. That would lead one to believe it is seen as performance enhancing in that event.

http://www.uci.ch/english/about/rules/ch14_dopage_liste_20020501.pdf

-s

No, we are talking about a cyclist suspended for one year for using an illegal substance.

Then we read the situation two different ways. Because that is not how I see it.

Then we read the situation two different ways. Because that is not how I see it.

Me either!

It's obviously not about breaking the law - it's about a performance enhancing drug. BTW, I saw Lance Armstrong speeding through Austin last year. He should give the yellow jerseys back right now!!!!! :D

You know in a lot of places you can get fired for having Marijuana in your system even though you weren't using it when working. I see no reason that athletes should not be held to the same standards the rest of the population is.

Good role models puts butts in the seats, and green in the pockets.

I'm sorry, but that is the biggest load of crap I have read on these forums. Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Mickey Mantel, Babe Ruth, Pete Rose, Barry Bonds, Sir Charles, Bill Lamebeer, the list is endless.

I don't know about ganja as a performance enhancer. Sure, it could provide the old "black courage" by lowering inhibitions. I do know that I wouldn't want to be in a competitive situation with someone whose judgment and coordination were impaired by the ingestion of a psychoactive substance.

Me either!

It's obviously not about breaking the law - it's about a performance enhancing drug. BTW, I saw Lance Armstrong speeding through Austin last year. He should give the yellow jerseys back right now!!!!! :D



Hah, Yes, good quote. But, yes, the argument that he should be suspended and fined because "IT'S AGAINST THE LAW" is pretty silly. He won't be prosecuted. And, yes, should we check to make sure that athletes' taxes are payed, and they have no outstanding parking tickets, etc? I can understand the role of the role model in some sports, but, who looks up to this guy? I've certainly never heard of him.

You know in a lot of places you can get fired for having Marijuana in your system even though you weren't using it when working. I see no reason that athletes should not be held to the same standards the rest of the population is.

- Many "employers" also use illegal emigrants, and pay them nearly nothing for 16-20 hour days of backbreaking work.

- Some employers lie to their employees about the health of their company, and encourage employees to purchase their stock (while selling theirs) in an effort to steal their pensions. Can you say Enron?

- Many employers make employees work right up to the level of "full time" in an effort to avoid paying benefits.

The obvious point is - just because some employers create a policy, and blindly follow it - it doesn't necessarily make it the right thing to do. :D

Is that really the purpose you believe role models serve?

From the sanctioning body perspective who is in the business to make money and promote the sport, yes. Of course real role models, not the manufactured one we are discussing now, are not held to that standard.

All I'm saying is most pro-athletes are expected to be a a good role model by their employers. If the NFL, MLB, etc wish to market their product (players) to families and children there product must be safe for consumption.

Daryl Strawberry, William Green, and Gary Houseman don't seem to understand this concept.

- Many "employers" also use illegal emigrants, and pay them nearly nothing for 16-20 hour days of backbreaking work.

- Some employers lie to their employees about the health of their company, and encourage employees to purchase their stock (while selling theirs) in an effort to steal their pensions. Can you say Enron?

- Many employers make employees work right up to the level of "full time" in an effort to avoid paying benefits.

The obvious point is - just because some employers create a policy, and blindly follow it - it doesn't necessarily make it the right thing to do. :D

So smoking pot is the right thing to do?

So smoking pot is the right thing to do?

For some it may be, for others not - it's certainly not my place to decide what's right for others. However, that wasn't the argument that you put forth - hence my comments.

My comments were merely my way of debunking your weak argument that since some employers test for recreational drugs, athletes should also be tested, and penalized for their usage. :D

That was my "weak argument" and I was not saying that " since some employers test for recreational drugs, athletes should also be tested, and penalized for their usage. I was saying that since the rest of us are expected to follow the rules set forth I see no reason why an athlete shouldn't be expected to follow the rules. Apparently the rules for his sport say "No smoking pot". He got caught smoking pot therefore he should be penalized. He should be happy that he is only suspended for one year, being from Cincinnati I can think of at least one athlete who was barred from his sport for life for breaking the rules.

That was my "weak argument"

I stand corrected MKRG, that was your weak argument. My appologies to ehenz. :D

I stand corrected MKRG, that was your weak argument. My appologies to ehenz. :D

Thats okay, I can't seem to catch a break in the "Foo" forum anyway :mad:

I think I need to adjust my writing style?

ehenz :D

that which is from the earth is of the greatest worth

do i really need to say anything in this thread?

performance enhancing ha ha ha, try smokin a doob and breaking away the last lap of a crit... I can't breathe!