The Incorruptible Runner
by fam on Jan.16, 2012, under Blog Entries
For those who do not yet know, an Olympic runner from Ireland based in America named Martin Fagan received a positive drug test recently. As a result he openly admitted to using banned substances to enhance performance. This came as a big shock to the running community as Martin is a well liked and a generally modest runner who one might least expect to do such a thing. The aftermath has left many runners disappointed in his actions. Some are asking why he cheated and already leaning towards forgiveness. On the other side his actions have also lit the fires of anger with some asking for his permanent departure from the sport. Either way you go the situation sparks an important debate and points ever harder to a sad, but inevitable crossroads for the sport of professional running.
This topic and the global phenomena surrounding it demands much more debate and scrutiny, but for the sake of informing the uninformed and aiding the naive I offer you this brief outline for consideration.
Many professional runners are of the opinion that there should be a true “Zero Tolerance” policy regarding athletes who are caught for cheating in the sport. I say many runners due to my experiences hearing top runners complain on this issue at almost every post race celebration or gathering. To them, true Zero Tolerance would mean that if you get caught just one time, then you should be out for good with a lifetime ban from racing at major championships meets. If you think that sounds harsh then consider this, most athletes who have been caught for cheating are often courteous and friendly. They are not the stereotypical villains seen in movies. They are normal people gone astray due to vanity, greed or misguidance. Whatever the specific motivation or excuse behind their actions, the intention simply and clearly is to cheat the athletes that they compete against. Once that process is put into action, their is no taking it back. Just ask Frank Shorter who’s moment of Olympic glory was stolen from him at the 1976 Olympics. Shorter finished second place to an East German athlete who was implicated much later via found documents pointing to his use of performance enhancers. Frank Shorter went on to sit as chairman of the United States Anti-doping Agency to help fight against the growing problem. Another clear example is that of Regina Jacobs. Regina was a US runner who won multiple US championship titles and was later caught for PED use. There are many runners who not only lost income, but lost their chance to represent the United States at the Olympic games because of her cheating. Their opportunity to become an Olympian or champion has come and gone and they will never get back what she has stolen from them.
A big question arises in the midst of this scandal. Some are asking, ‘What if Martin had never gotten caught? Would he have turned himself in?’ That’s doubtful. Would he have gone on to compete for years no one the wiser? That’s probable. The sad reality is that past evidence shows there are runners nationally and internationally that do not get caught by testing. For them the only thing to fear is a two year bench warming session during which they can repair their reputation and give people time to forget their transgressions. If you want proof of that just look at some championship races that are slated to take place this year. One of the heralded names on the marquee in one of the biggest venues this season is an athlete returning from his ban.
In reading this I hope you take the time to establish your own opinion and make your own voice heard on this topic. When an athlete like Martin is caught cheating and fans or the media are sympathetic or indifferent to his excuses and he is given a light probationary punishment by the powers that be, it sends two messages to other up and coming athletes. The first message it sends is that athletes are cheaters and the practice is commonplace. That could not be further from the truth. The second message it sends is that the risk is worth the reward. Young athletes might see this situation and posit that if they cheat and have a good excuse, people will easily forgive and forget. That last point is where the crossroads lies for running. How strongly are we willing to enforce the rules to keep our sport clean and fair? Will we stay the current course or take a harder stance and try to make cheating much less appealing and viable? And, most importantly, there is much more than morality at risk here. With this current ethical trajectory in running, the health and well being of runners young and old is in great danger.
Accountability does not magically appear on its own. It is created and fostered by everyday people, as well as developed and practiced by said people. You and I are these people and we can’t expect our words and actions to not have an affect on our sport. Your friends, your family or your kids might be the next rising athlete. We live our lives and compete in sport as men and women wandering in search of happiness. Martin Fagan seems to have lost his way and I for one am not angry at him for that. His story and mistakes should be a wake up call to everyone in sport. For me it reinforces the idea of possibly implementing true zero tolerance. Each year new athletes will follow his footsteps and face the same obstacles. How will they react when they encounter them? The cold hard reality is that every runner has faced the same financial struggles or injury set backs that Martin has. Fortunately most of us have developed enough character and constitution to withstand, endure and overcome adversity. I can think of much tougher circumstances people have endured for the sake of standing up for integrity and ethics.
I’ll leave you with this; would you prefer your athlete or child to win at all cost sacrificing their integrity, morality, health and well being or would you prefer they be an incorruptible runner? The type of virtuous athlete who lives to attain greater health and well being and strives for introspective achievement and the highest intangible awards and accolades. Make your choice now and set the example for them to live up to.
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More Thoughts on PEDs « Juice Running Loose
November 13th, 2012 on 12:03 am[...] Thoughts on PEDs Anthony Famiglietti recently put his two cents into words via his blog about the idea of turning to performance enhancing drugs and he puts forth a more few interesting [...]
January 17th, 2012 on 12:49 am
I question a system that simultaneously encourages (tacitly) and punishes doping. Is the spread of corruption inevitable as stakes increase?
January 17th, 2012 on 9:28 am
Good question Andrew. Sport is merely a reflection of the overall cultural and societal mindset it takes place in. The real question is, will people globally let corruption control and govern over them in general?
Long gone are the days when the winning team was honored by being killed in sacrifice. In that case athletes were held to the highest standard and meant to honor the gods.
Why you compete is what will lead athletes to make the right or wrong decision in the first place. That is the message I’m hoping athletes will take from this. If you run for financial gain or fame you’ve already lost.
January 19th, 2012 on 10:41 pm
Good response as well as original post, thank you for sharing! I happen to agree with you yet wonder how much a power structure that is built on marketing (and making money off of) stars will be interested in putting real teeth to catching and punishing dopers. Much conflict of interest among those who do not even compete nor care much for honor to be overcome.
January 18th, 2012 on 7:03 am
Great post, Fam. Thanks for speaking up on one of the most important issues in our sport.
January 18th, 2012 on 12:09 pm
Thanks for the this blog Fam. I am always disappointed to see that more elite athletes do not take a stance on these kinds of issues. Silence is a statement whether they realize it or not. Glad you have a voice and are not afraid to use it! Good luck this year!
January 18th, 2012 on 1:06 pm
Excellent blog thank you. Two year bans are a joke and we all know it, not nearly enough time to discourage cheats. EPO use should be met with a life time ban in my opinion.
January 18th, 2012 on 2:17 pm
Interesting post, Fam. One of the parts I found most compelling, was one of your arguments for lifetime bans:
“For them the only thing to fear is a two year bench warming session during which they can repair their reputation and give people time to forget their transgressions.”
I have seen this in a local context and it was frustrating to see an athlete who had been busted for EPO, being praised and heralded upon their return. People seem to forget that athletes like this cheated not only themselves, but other clean athletes as well.
Though I myself was not affected by her race placing or prize winnings (being that I am a guy) I have female friends who were more directly affected, and it is upsetting.
However, there is a double-edged sword to a lifetime ban. Let’s say an athlete forgot to register something such as an asthma medicine with USADA or whoever, which leads to a positive test. Then what happens when an athlete may actually be innocent?
It’s a fine line to walk with something so severe as a lifetime ban. Though I would say that yes, it is much better than a 2 year ban.
As one of the commenters above had said, “EPO use should be met with a lifetime ban” I agree, and maybe the severity of the punishment should depending on the case or what substance was taken. However, this can lead to subjectivity unless there are clear guidelines… However, no way is perfect, sadly.
On another note, excellent song selection… JF is the man.
January 18th, 2012 on 7:14 pm
I agree, starting this dialogue is most essential to initiating change. If we start by asking USADA and WADA to look at and address their current rules and standards we can then help them adjust to work better. If we were to ask USADA for their statistics on false positives or positive tests due to unfortunate mistakes, I think they might have good evidence to back up ramping up penalties. With the current rules and resources available at usantidoping.org an athlete can keep up with what is banned and what is not. Things like asthma meds are no longer banned as long as athletes make declarations of use.
Keep in mind also there is speculation that some athletes use substances that are on the banned list to hide or mask results. These are substances that do not affect performance but might cover up traces of performance enhancing substances. That said I do think clear cut positive tests on blatant performance enhancers should come with maximum penalty, possibly lifetime championship ban. Perhaps a polygraph test might help after a positive test…
If a runner gets a positive test for cheating no one is saying they cant ever race again. They have the right as a human beings to run. However, most of us are just asking to keep them out of major championship races as well as prize money races.
January 18th, 2012 on 5:42 pm
Your finishing paragraph where you ask what you’d like from your child hits home and makes your point crystal clear. Who would want cheating from your child? Then why do it yourself. and now, off to download that Frusciante song – awesome choice. Keep up the good tweeting too, i’m a follower.
January 30th, 2012 on 11:36 am
Do you have any thoughts on athletes that require artificial appliances in competition? Oscar Pistorius, the South African 400m runner with artificial lower legs comes to mind. He may well compete in the London Olympics.
February 3rd, 2012 on 1:53 pm
Bonjour FrancisEn liasnt ce billet, je me pose juste une question : qui sont les handicapés dans cette histoire…un type qui a surmonté dans son corps et dans sa tête un traumatisme incroyable et en a fait une force ! ou les membres de cette fédération qui qui décident de ce qui est « normal » ou de ce qui ne l’est pas ????????????Au fait c’est quoi un homme « normal » ?Bonne journée à tous
April 8th, 2013 on 11:16 am
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