Yesterday, I was sent this link. It says that Dwain Chambers, he of THG and a doping ban in 2004 (!), is making a comeback, hoping to qualify for Team GB at the European Indoor Championships. At the age of 40. Well, almost 41. My first thought was “Of course he is”, and then upon […]
Doping
Can we trust the Tour, Sky and Chris Froome: Le Monde Op-Ed
The French newspaper Le Monde asked me to write an Op-Ed on the 2018 Tour de France, specifically addressing the question “Can we trust Chris Froome and Team Sky”. This is the original, unedited piece that was submitted. It details the history of the Tour, which makes up the canvas onto which the words “Trust me” are written, and explains why that appeal must be accompanied by extraordinary actions to break a cycle that is now decades long. Froome and Sky fall well short of it.
Team Sky and Marginal Games
UKAD sent a scathing letter to British Cycling, outlining a series of improper and sub standard processes and governance issues in the aftermath of their Jiffy Bag Investigation. The letter shatters the illusion of Marginal gains by the most professional, well run team in cycling, while the inaction by UKAD despite all the problems reveals the impotence of anti-doping bodies.
On the recalibration of world records: Brief thoughts
A proposal to recalibrate the track and field world records by removing all records set prior to 2005 has caused considerable controversy. I offer some views on the proposal, and explain why the step is probably necessary, but should not be ‘abused’ as a sign of a new generation.
The way, then the lack of will: A story of anti-doping and those who might save it
The history of antidoping can be divided into two overlapping phases. There was once a huge lack of a “way” – inadequate tools to catch doping, leaving antidoping two steps behind the cheats. Advances in science have narrowed this, creating a better “way”. This has exposed a bigger problem – a lack of “will”. This article describes this, and offers a conceptual solution.