French Senate report out tomorrow...

[Flying_Monkey]

Interestingly it does not clear Voigt at all. Nor does it clear Boardman BTW. Their samples just were no longer available at the time retesting took place. So no-one can say they know either were clean based on this report.

 

[smutchin]

It neither clears him nor implicates him. It's easy to interpret the Voigt situation different ways depending on your inclination.

You could claim the fact that he spoke out against publishing the results was a sign that he was expecting bad news. In which case, he's breathing a big sigh of relief now.

Or you could point out that unlike O'Grady, he didn't choose to conveniently retire before the results were published, so clearly had conviction that he would be a negative. In which case, he'll be disappointed that his sample is missing.

Either way, it's guesswork and rumour.

 

[thom]

Interestingly it does not clear Voigt at all. Nor does it clear Boardman BTW. Their samples just were no longer available at the time retesting took place. So no-one can say they know either were clean based on this report.

Yes, you wonder what happened there - who knows the protocols in place ?

 

[rich p]

Yes, you wonder what happened there - who knows the protocols in place ?

Did I read somewhere that they had degraded?

 

[thom]

Did I read somewhere that they had degraded?

If so, that at least is reasonable rather than them just somehow disappearing.

 

[rich p]

The alert amongst you may notice that on Stage 2 , Serrano Hamburger was also tested. What a waste.

 

[Crackle]

The fallout from this is continuing apace:-

O Grady retired and calls for him to step down from the Aussie Olympic Commission
Olano sacked from his technical director role
Jalabert still in denial
Jeroen Blijlevens Sports Director at Belkin waiting for a meeting and a decision on his future
People covering their backsides everywhere and the sport once again is the loser

I'm caught. On the one hand, it's absolutely right that people should be brought to account, on the other hand we know the history, we know that the only way to clear up the past is for some sort of truth and reconciliation process, these independent processes seem to be little more than witch hunts which do more damage than good. They're not even telling us anything we don't know and is there any point in punishing only those who are being retrospectively fingered, when we know that's just the tip of the iceberg.

I recall as I looked at the past winners on the podium the other day at the Tour that I felt a bit embarrassed that they were being wheeled out into the current celebrations.

It's a mess and it's a mess because of the UCI, who should be sorting this out so that these independent commissions are unnecessary.

 

[Crackle]

Further to the above. If you read the words from Olano, Jalabert and to some extent O'Grady, it's like being thrown back in time. This from Olano:-

"I was always under the control and custody of the team and its medical service. I absolutely do not consider myself guilty. I never had the feeling that I was doing anything illegal.”

When I read stuff like that, I go back to thinking they should all be hung out to dry. Too many demons to wrestle.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Belkin's DS Blijlevens' just been sacked after admitting using EPO. ( http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur-route/Actualites/Blijlevens-limoge/388341 )

 

[Crackle]

Belkin's DS Blijlevens' just been sacked after admitting using EPO. ( http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur-route/Actualites/Blijlevens-limoge/388341 )

Unlike Olano, I can't help but feel sorry for him.

 

[rich p]

Unlike Olano, I can't help but feel sorry for him.

Did he not know this was in the pipeline though? He could have fessed up and got a short 'sentence'. he chose to get paid for the summer.
I can definitely sympathise with the riders and the feeling that to compete they had to dope but I'm not sure that it absolves them from future sanction entirely. I just think of what the clean riders such as Boardman et al could have won.

 

[oldroadman]

If so, that at least is reasonable rather than them just somehow disappearing.

Rather like a load of sample supporting paperwork from track and field athletes that went "missing" whilst in the care of a senior IOC member at an Olympic games in the US some years ago. Odd that, as no samples could be matched to anyone, negative or not. All medallists were obviously clean. So that's all right then.

It's not just cycling....

 

[thom]

Rather like a load of sample supporting paperwork from track and field athletes that went "missing" whilst in the care of a senior IOC member at an Olympic games in the US some years ago. Odd that, as no samples could be matched to anyone, negative or not. All medallists were obviously clean. So that's all right then.

It's not just cycling....

Yeah I heard about that story - shed loads of prominent US athletes at the LA Olympics, the ones after Moscow and boycotted by the countries behind the Iron Curtain. Totally screwed up, partly due to the influence of politics in sport.

 

[Crackle]

Did he not know this was in the pipeline though? He could have fessed up and got a short 'sentence'. he chose to get paid for the summer.
I can definitely sympathise with the riders and the feeling that to compete they had to dope but I'm not sure that it absolves them from future sanction entirely. I just think of what the clean riders such as Boardman et al could have won.

I don't know and on the face of it, it looks like he made a stupid decision for the sake of the short term which has now jeopardised his future in the sport. Cycling may be the only thing he knows, so I'd say he was caught between between a rock and a hard place.

 

[Noodley]

I suppose in a way those who cheated and therefore stole the careers and hopes of those who took an honourable route are now paying by way of losing their jobs and respect. Ah well.