Christie claimed that the banned substance Nandralone was in some supplement he took, and that he was not aware of it's presence. Loads of athletes were caught out like this. Christie was cleared of deliberately or knowingly taking a banned substance by the UK athletics board. As for the Psuedephedrine; loads of athletes took this, as it was present in dozens of hayfever medicines and other over the counter stuff.The issue is, wether or not an athlete has deliberately and knowingly taken a performance enhancing substance. Christie was never found guilty of this. Neither was Lance...
Read my previous post, ignorance is no defence. The policy is that athletes take responsibility for everything they ingest or inject. Claiming afterwards that they didnt know is fine. With hindsight maybe Chambers has marginally more integrity by getting caught then taking the punishment. Christie retired when he was caught thereby evading the public humiliation that would a negative drugs test would bring and the tarnishing of a fantastic career and competitive record.
Christie was a great athlete however dont try to re-write history because he's a local lad!
I have some sympathy with the 'lifetime ban' brigade. If nothing else it simplifies things. If an athlete is caught taking anything banned, under any circumstances, ban them.
Playing devils avocado... There was a lot of support on here a few weeks back for Alain Baxter; everyone seemed fairly happy that he had unknowingly taken a banned substance and had paid the price by being stripped of his medal. Would it have been appropriate for him to have been banned for life?
[EDIT: In saying 'everyone' I mean that the general sentiment of those who participated in the thread was that Baxter was a good guy who had been unlucky]
My point is, that Christie, and loads of other athletes at the time, were being caught out because Nandralone was present in what they thought were 'clean' supplements. All professional athletes use such things, and some sail very close to the wind, to get an 'edge' on their rival competitors. Medical bods have shown that athletes often coon't have been aware of taking Nandralone, as it was not listed in the ingredients of the supplements (naughty supplement manufacturers?). As for Pseudoephedrine; it has actually been removed from many athletics authorities' banned lists.
Ohuruogu missed 3 tests, and served her ban. She never tested positive before, during the time in which she missed those tests, or since. Rio Ferdinand served a simliar ban for the same thing. He has also never tested positive.
My point is, that Christie, and loads of other athletes at the time, were being caught out because Nandralone was present in what they thought were 'clean' supplements. All professional athletes use such things, and some sail very close to the wind, to get an 'edge' on their rival competitors. Medical bods have shown that athletes often coon't have been aware of taking Nandralone, as it was not listed in the ingredients of the supplements (naughty supplement manufacturers?). As for Pseudoephedrine; it has actually been removed from many athletics authorities' banned lists.Ohuruogu missed 3 tests, and served her ban. She never tested positive before, during the time in which she missed those tests, or since. Rio Ferdinand served a simliar ban for the same thing. He has also never tested positive.
You need to read the comments above. Just because you keep saying it doesnt make it so. Christie was caught and thats the end of the story, as inconvenient as you find it!
The fact that certain products are not now on the banned list is neither here nor there. He breached the rules as they stood at the time. He was also very well supported and advised. The "I didnt know" claim doesnt wash.
Not sure how you can be sure Ohuruogu didnt test positive if she didnt appear for testing, bit self fullfilling that one!
The rules state you must be available for testing at all time and you get 3 chances. These are professional athletes who need to adhere to the rules.
Not sure how you can be sure Ohuruogu didnt test positive if she didnt appear for testing, bit self fullfilling that one!
Because apparently, she tested negative for other tests performed around the same time. I've already mentioned this, but you've obviously failed to notice this point.
Christie; I'm not defending him. I'm merely pointing out that he made a mistake (as did Gred Rusedski), and suffered the consequences. With the Nandralone thing, many athletes were perhaps naive and careless, not deliberate cheats, like Chambers.
Anyway, bored now.
many athletes were perhaps naive and careless, not deliberate cheats, like Chambers.
This is the crux of your argument. You dislike Chambers so his cheating is cynical, deliberate and pre-meditated.
You have warm feelings towards Christie so by definition he made an innocent mistake.
"Naive and careless" my Ars* Christie was a savvy, experienced professional athlete! As usual you are "spinning"
With regard to Ohuruogu The other tests you elude to were not the official ones so they are not the same thing.
Anyway, bored now.
Argument's over.
It's Thatcher's fault.
TBH Ohuruogu looks as thick as two short planks.
[i] Look at footballers for example ... when the testers phone to say they're on the way the blokes taking drugs are sent home and removed from the playlists until the testers have finished.
Rot. [/i]
My apologies, you're correct. After a bit of research it appears they just let them carry on playing.
Well, that's only half as thick as you, Hora! 😉
Well, that's only half as thick as you, Hora!
And at least her boobs are supposed to be there.
