Tyler

[SadieKate]

It was just announced that he received a 2 year ban but will be allowed to keep his Gold Medal. There is an appeal process.

I'm not sure what to think or feel at this point.

[spazzdog]

Well, one thing for sure, he's finished. Unfortunately he doesn't have the same spirit that Lance embodied and I will be surprised if any team will touch him after this.

It's a shame, this doping thing. The whole "have to because everybody does" has truly grown old. I keep remembering what my parents (and perhaps yours) would say to me after I did something stupid and responded "Well, everybody else was doin' it"

They're response: If everybody jumped off a cliff, would you? Well Noooooo, I'd say.

This cliff is drawing to many lemmings.

[SadieKate]

You know, I've been wondering what would happen if the teams were fined also. The riders are obviously are getting personal pressure from somewhere and someone is aiding and abetting. I also don't understand why only some riders have random mandatory testing (as in Lance). Why isn't everyone subjected to this?

[spazzdog]

Everyone is subject to it... random testing that is. Everyone who places (not sure how deep) in a race is tested.

The thing is certain concoctions will clear faster than others.

Then there's the handling of the samples. And it goes on.

I'm sorry, but my feeling is this: all sports from high school through and including pro sports should be governed by WADA. I have no sympathy for doping at any level.

And the "I didn't know I was taking it" defense doesn't fly with me either. These athletes know their bodies better than anybody. Think they might notice a sudden "burst" of speed, strength, developement after they started getting their "vitamins" from good ole Tony or Bob or Sam?

Tyler, and all the others are big grown up boys.

And if it turns out Lance ever doped, which I really hope he didn't... he looses the entire bag of respect as well.

[Bike Goddess]

Spazz- as usual you hit the nail (or should I say needle here) on the head! Ditto for me too!

I have no sympathy for anyone who messes around with this stuff period.

[Veronica]

Have you read this?

Tyler's Diary

The tests are too inconclusive. Plus all that stuff with the extortionist? Too weird.

V.

[jobob]

I'm with V - I don't believe he did it either. I've read the scientific journal articles describing the test and I can see a bunch of ways it could have been royally f'd up. It's a difficult assay.

And spazz, I'd love to know what on earth you mean by "he doesn't have the same spirit that Lance embodied" ?

- Jo.

[doc]

How can an athlete be happy with his/her win if he/she knows it comes only because of illegal assistance? How can anyone be proud who is a cheater? I must be a simpleton, but I wouldn't feel like a winner if I cheated my way over the finish line.

It does remind me of a very funny story. Does anyone remember Rosie Ruiz? She "won" the boston marathon and didn't even look tired or sweaty. So the officials started reviewing the tapes from the check points and surprise surprise, she wasn't there. She took the subway and then jumped into the race 1/2 mile from the finish line. 1/2 mile!!! Geez. It gets even more ridiculous. They then went back to review her excellent time in the earlier New York marathon. Yup, you guessed it, she took the subway there too. Crazy! What is the point?

[spazzdog]

Sorry for earlier aggressiveness...

This subject just burns me up. I sat here a couple of weeks ago and watched the Senate hearing on drugs and baseball. Now theres an impotent system (and that pun WAS intended).

But I fear it will go the way of many other issues... it made great sound bites on the news, this "working for the safety of our kids" angle, but when it comes down to it, pro sports is about money. And money becomes about politics.

Unless a "level" playing field is forced with the standard being set by WADA, and then those regulations are enforced, then this is not going away.

Now, back to regular programming...

[Veronica]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I just don't believe he did it. My understanding of the test is that it's based on probablity - which means bell shaped curve. There are going to be athletes who have a huge amount of oxygen in their blood. These guys are freaks when you think about how far they ride and how fast. They are not going to fit the norm.

Tyler has always struck me as a fairly levelheaded, practical person ('cause you know, I know him personally right - insert sarcastic face.) I just can't imagine him shooting up with someone else's blood - funny if it were Lance I would believe it. Think of the risks involved - the diseases you could get. It just seems insane.

If I were him - or any other world class athlete- I'd be getting these tests done every week, so I could have a baseline to prove my innocence when the doping lynch mob comes for me.

Let's see who is doing well this year... I predict Bobby Julich or Tom Boonen are going to get doping accusations next. Sorry MM - I really hope that doesn't happen. It's just ugly.

V.