I'm sure there'll be snide remarks and mud slinging as we head to the final but it's good to see that it's not being blown out of proportion. Or it might still be... ? Either way, if this happened 10 years ago it would probably be scandalous. I wonder what Hershey_bru thinks.
Hello again, Rippers. There has been no shortage of snide remarks already, notably about how 'convenient' it is that Rabada's ban was just 30 days. The implication is that 'the system' was somehow contrived to favour CSA, Gujarat Titans and, of course, Rabada himself. But nobody messes with WADA. They remain one of the most powerful and independent bodies in the whole of sport. They make their own rules and regulations and Rabada's legal team followed the letter of the law. Let me be honest - I was initially very sceptical, which is exactly why I looked into it...
Having looked into it, I wonder if you’ve a view on Sinner’s 3-month ban for an ‘indiscretion’ involving an anabolic steroid? Seems on the face of it massively discounted compared to some not-totally different previous cases in tennis.
Hi Dave, I'm wary about commenting on a sport and situation about which I am not informed... but, yes, it did look extremely convenient from the outside, didn't it? But then, so did Rabada's punishment. Which is why I tried to delve as deeply as I could. But Sinner's minimum suspension being retrospectively slotted into the emptiest part of the calendar, with no Majors, was peculiar. Also that it was said he 'agreed' to the suspension. Like he was asked if that was 'ok'... :(
I still remember reading Agassi's autobiography where he discusses about his struggles with drugs and how it never came out in the "open" while he was playing. Some star players are above public scrutiny. They are let gone without serving any punishment. Only moral opprobium, if any.
Hi Aditya, I am a victim of my own 'innocence' and optimism but I still like to believe that drug-testing protocols have improved considerably since Agassi's heyday. I've been around long enough to remember the days when cricketers (and others athletes) who were chosen for a 'sample' would pass an old water bottle to a team-mate and ask "can I have some of yours, mate - not sure I'll pass this one" and then pour it into the sample bottle in the privacy of the physio room, or wherever the test was to be taken. In private! That's certainly not the case these days...!
I'm sure there'll be snide remarks and mud slinging as we head to the final but it's good to see that it's not being blown out of proportion. Or it might still be... ? Either way, if this happened 10 years ago it would probably be scandalous. I wonder what Hershey_bru thinks.
Hello again, Rippers. There has been no shortage of snide remarks already, notably about how 'convenient' it is that Rabada's ban was just 30 days. The implication is that 'the system' was somehow contrived to favour CSA, Gujarat Titans and, of course, Rabada himself. But nobody messes with WADA. They remain one of the most powerful and independent bodies in the whole of sport. They make their own rules and regulations and Rabada's legal team followed the letter of the law. Let me be honest - I was initially very sceptical, which is exactly why I looked into it...
Having looked into it, I wonder if you’ve a view on Sinner’s 3-month ban for an ‘indiscretion’ involving an anabolic steroid? Seems on the face of it massively discounted compared to some not-totally different previous cases in tennis.
Hi Dave, I'm wary about commenting on a sport and situation about which I am not informed... but, yes, it did look extremely convenient from the outside, didn't it? But then, so did Rabada's punishment. Which is why I tried to delve as deeply as I could. But Sinner's minimum suspension being retrospectively slotted into the emptiest part of the calendar, with no Majors, was peculiar. Also that it was said he 'agreed' to the suspension. Like he was asked if that was 'ok'... :(
Thanks for sharing this. Eish. We better kick kanga butt in that final.
PS: oh yes, 'everything' conveniently favouring South Africa ... I'll just smile at those rotten eggs stinking up the place with their moaning.
Good morning Manners,
I still remember reading Agassi's autobiography where he discusses about his struggles with drugs and how it never came out in the "open" while he was playing. Some star players are above public scrutiny. They are let gone without serving any punishment. Only moral opprobium, if any.
Hi Aditya, I am a victim of my own 'innocence' and optimism but I still like to believe that drug-testing protocols have improved considerably since Agassi's heyday. I've been around long enough to remember the days when cricketers (and others athletes) who were chosen for a 'sample' would pass an old water bottle to a team-mate and ask "can I have some of yours, mate - not sure I'll pass this one" and then pour it into the sample bottle in the privacy of the physio room, or wherever the test was to be taken. In private! That's certainly not the case these days...!
Hmm
That's some news to me
Good news!