Olympic 2020(1) Thread

Usain Bolt lost one of his Olympic golds for the same reason, a relay runner in his nation's quartet tested positive for something.

 

I assume they need to test the B sample but that will be a formality. Terrible news for the 3 other team members. Ostarine and S-23 are the substances reported.

"Ostarine is used by mouth to improve athletic performance and for involuntary weight loss in people who are very ill, also known as cachexia or wasting syndrome. But there is very little good scientific research to support these uses.
How does it work ?
Ostarine attaches to proteins in the body known as androgen receptors. When ostarine binds to these receptors, it tells the muscles in the body to grow. Unlike some other chemicals that bind to androgen receptors, such as steroids, ostarine doesn't seem to cause as many side effects in other parts of the body."

"S23 belongs to a new class of drugs called selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM). SARMs mimic testosterone by binding to hormone receptors in specific parts of the body.
Similar to testosterone and other SARMs, researchers hypothesized that S23 targets the muscle and bone tissues to promote muscle growth and bone health."

If guilty, I hope he never represents GB ever again. Unfortunately, life bans are not possible, as the Dwayne Chambers fiasco proved.

Here's the press release from the Athletics Integrity Unit:

"AIU UPDATE ON DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ATHLETES
ASSERTED TO HAVE BREACHED ANTI-DOPING RULES DURING THE
TOKYO 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES
12 AUGUST 2021, MONACO: In accordance with the IOC Anti-Doping Rules and the World
Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has commenced disciplinary
proceedings to determine any consequences beyond the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to be
imposed upon four (4) track and field athletes who are asserted to have committed anti-
doping rules violations following testing conducting by the International Testing Agency
(ITA) during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The ITA, who are responsible for testing at the Olympic Games on behalf of the
International Olympic Committee (IOC), had asserted anti-doping rule violations and
provisionally suspended, the athletes listed below, during the Games.

1. Sadik Mikhou (BRN) – 1500m - Presence/use of a Prohibited Method (Blood
Transfusion)
2. Benik Abramyan (GEO) – Shot Put - Presence/use of a Prohibited Substance
(DHCMT, Metandienone, Tamoxifen)
3. Mark Otieno Odhiambo (KEN) – 100m - Presence/use of a Prohibited Substance
(Methasterone)

Following the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympic Games, the doping control laboratory in
Tokyo also notified the ITA of an additional Adverse Analytical Finding from testing
conducted during the Games:

4. Chijindu Ujah (GBR) – 4X100m - Presence/use of a Prohibited Substance
(Ostarine and S-23)

The AIU worked closely with the ITA during the Games and provided the intelligence to
carry out specific target testing on two of the four athletes.

The AIU now awaits the conclusion of the ITA proceedings against the above athletes,
which will determine whether any anti-doping rule violations have been committed and
what consequences (if any) should be imposed in relation to the Olympic Games. Any
consequences beyond the Olympic Games to be imposed upon the athletes under the
World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules will be determined following the conclusion of the ITA
proceedings.

The AIU has also been notified of another Adverse Analytical Finding for Kenya’s
Odhiambo. On 2 August, the WADA-accredited laboratory in Bloemfontein (RSA),
confirmed an Adverse Analytical Finding in a sample collected on 24 June by the Anti-
Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK). Upon request, ADAK immediately handed over the case
management responsibility for the ADAK sample to the AIU. The determination of
consequences for the ADAK sample will also follow the conclusion of the ITA proceedings
against Odhiambo.

To track the disciplinary proceedings against the concerned athletes, please check our
Disciplinary Process pages here"

 

It’s slightly ironic given the huge uplift in the Italian performance raised some eyebrows…

 

The only time a British athlete has lost an Olympic medal was a skier in 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, who made an honest error buying an over-the-counter cough medicine which the US version had a banned substance that the UK version of the medicine did not. His ban was lifted as it was clearly unintentional according to CAS but the decision to lose his bronze medal was upheld.

 

Hey, maybe now we can rid of the contentious 'Team GB' name for 2024 and all rally behind the British Olympic Committee instead.

 

The BOCs conjures an image of power and invincibilty.

 

I agree, great performances all round. 2nd in the Paralympics following 4th in the Olympics is brilliant.

Some of the stories behind the competitors I have seen are incredible and I'm in awe of what many have put themselves through to compete at these levels.

I remain somewhat puzzled by the classifications in many of the events, and there is a sense that the "playing field" is not necessarily "level"across all the participants in some events but it must be a real nightmare trying to get total fairness when the individuals have such a wide variety of challenges to overcome. I decided early on, not to look at that aspect too much, just trust in the authorities and enjoy the performances and stories.

The main thing, I reckon, is to give so many people with challenges a real event to focus on. I have heard some competitors say that the Paralympics is the only thing that keeps them going at all, and for that reason alone it is a great event.

 

Sarah Storey has now won more gold medals than any other British Olympian but is only being praised as the best ever British Paralympian? I think we should go one step further than that and crown her with her true status which is: -

THE GREATEST BRITISH OLYMPIAN OF ALL TIME
​

NB: Furthermore she aint finished yet

 

I think the current description is correct, as they’re different competitions run by different governing bodies. An Olympian is someone who competes in the Olympic Games.

 

We will have to agree to disagree on this one mate, as Sarah is a true OLYMPIAN in my book and the greatest British one at that, able bodied or not.

 

When she can cycle along the grand union canal towpath after visiting every pub between Watford and Yiewsley, then cycle back without falling in as the light is fading, she'll get a bit of respect.

 

I couldn't agree more. In 2008, 2012 & 2016 Usain Bolt won the triple-triple, 3 Olympics worth of 100m, 200m & 4x100m. Due to retrospective testing, he lost one of his 2008 medals as a team member in the 4x100m tested positive for something and he had to give it back.

 

My dentist met her at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and said how nice she was and how great she was with all the kids who were waiting near the commentary box for autographs, photos etc. Chris Hoy came out and purposely had his security detail form a ring around himself and totally ignored the kids who had been patiently waiting. Sarah Storey who was in the box at the time, saw precisely what had happened and so made a fuss of all the kids and chatted to them and posed with all of them who had patiently been waiting. A fantastic role model. Her husband Barney is also a top bloke too.

She's still good enough to compete alongside top able-bodied cyclists. Truly amazing.