GRcade

Lotus wrote:Why is Gatlin even allowed to compete? Two-times drug cheat winning gold at the World Championship surely just sends the message that cheating is okay and you might eventually prosper even if caught.

The only way to avoid this is permanent bans for drug offences, and I don't think there's much of a universal appetite for that.

Knoyleo wrote:

Lotus wrote:Why is Gatlin even allowed to compete? Two-times drug cheat winning gold at the World Championship surely just sends the message that cheating is okay and you might eventually prosper even if caught.

The only way to avoid this is permanent bans for drug offences, and I don't think there's much of a universal appetite for that.

Why do you think that is? Could one not be implemented for Athletics?

Knoyleo wrote:

Lotus wrote:Why is Gatlin even allowed to compete? Two-times drug cheat winning gold at the World Championship surely just sends the message that cheating is okay and you might eventually prosper even if caught.

The only way to avoid this is permanent bans for drug offences, and I don't think there's much of a universal appetite for that.

Alternatively, any and all drugs are allowed. The fairest way is to allow everyone to dope thereby allowing those with God Tier genetics, hardwork and diet to rise to the top since the drugs are no longer the hidden ingredient.

Let's see the 100 metres done in 8.99.

Drumstick wrote:

Knoyleo wrote:

Lotus wrote:Why is Gatlin even allowed to compete? Two-times drug cheat winning gold at the World Championship surely just sends the message that cheating is okay and you might eventually prosper even if caught.

The only way to avoid this is permanent bans for drug offences, and I don't think there's much of a universal appetite for that.

Why do you think that is? Could one not be implemented for Athletics?

It could be implemented, but I think it's generally seen as a bit of an extreme/last resort. There's generally still the belief that people should be given a chance to come back and compete, or that some who fail a drug test can have done so accidentally/unintentionally, and so to end their career over it is overkill.

Obviously it means you get situations where someone like Gatlin can win gold in an event like this, but there are plenty of athletes competing at these championships, as Michael Johnson has rightly pointed out, who the crowd are not booing, and are even cheering for. The fuss around Gatlin is a product of the love for Bolt, rather than because people really care about the purity of sprinting/athletics.

Grumpy David wrote:

Knoyleo wrote:

Lotus wrote:Why is Gatlin even allowed to compete? Two-times drug cheat winning gold at the World Championship surely just sends the message that cheating is okay and you might eventually prosper even if caught.

The only way to avoid this is permanent bans for drug offences, and I don't think there's much of a universal appetite for that.

Alternatively, any and drugs are allowed. The fairest way is to allow everyone to dope thereby allowing those with God Tier genetics, hardwork and diet to rise to the top since the drugs are no longer the hidden ingredient.

Let's see the 100 metres done in 8.99.

I would love to see a separate "unclean" athletics contest, with some truly mad times.

Lotus wrote:Coe complaining when he has the power to fix it and could've avoided this (or at least had Coleman win gold and a new 'rising star', which would've looked better). Athletics.

No he couldn't, the IAAF pushed for a life ban, when that was rejected, they implemented an 8 year ban, which was reduced to 4? on appeal

Rejected by who? I thought Gatlin got a lesser ban because he cooperated, and surely if the IAAF is the governing body of the sport, they can decide who does and doesn't compete in their events?

Anyway, looking at Bolt's times, he's either superhuman, or he is doping but hasn't been caught. Presumably he'll stay retired after this championship though and we'll never know for sure either way.

CAS probably

Knoyleo wrote:

Lotus wrote:Why is Gatlin even allowed to compete? Two-times drug cheat winning gold at the World Championship surely just sends the message that cheating is okay and you might eventually prosper even if caught.

The only way to avoid this is permanent bans for drug offences, and I don't think there's much of a universal appetite for that.

I think everyone makes mistakes and it's harsh to ban somebody for life for one mistake.

Gatlin has been banned twice though.

Maybe a 2 or 3 year ban for a first offence and then s lifetime ban if you are caught again?

This is all a bit WWE with this Makwala illness thing tonight, cameras following him to the entrance and all that. I think they're giving a bit too much credence to his insistence that he "wasn't tested" and "hasn't been told" - it smacks to me of being told and not liking it. You don't need an MRI scan to tell you that you have the gooseberry fools...

It's a shame he won't compete, but all this outrage from the BBC team is really irritating! There's actual athletics on!

Yeah the BBC (and Gabby Logan in particular) seemed to be getting really worked up about it all, without knowing the full story from both sides.

Anyway, onto more important things. Just been watching an interview with Darya Klishina - strawberry floating hell she is stunning.

damn you werent lying

Schippers

Dina Asher-Smith seems like a nice girl, hope she does well in the future. Shame we have so many 4th places - but there's a glass half-full or half-empty way you could look at that.

Dina is only 21 and has had an injury-laden year including a broken foot. The fact she ran 22.22 against a PB of 22.07 is cause for massive optimism. You feel she'll go sub-22 next year all being well.

You're right about the 4th places though. And Klishina.

The problem with Athletics is that 4th place is seen as a failure by the critics. All they talk about is medals. There's been lots of talk about who should lose lottery funding etc as we only have one medal so far. It's such a shame when we have so athletes who made the finals and many that managed 4th place as well. Imagine competing against 100 of the top athletes from around the world in your chosen sport and finishing 4th and being told that you've failed.

Mo

These entrances are bloody embarrassing. Get rid.

Mo.

Sometimes a silver is better than a gold.

Bolt

Bolt