Tennis

[sniper]

 

[wrinklyvet]

Re: Re:

...
So what evidence do you have that Murray is comparable to Al Capone in any way?

Do you have evidence that he isn't?

Is that a joke? Neither he nor I are bound to prove that. You are the one making the allegation. If you could manage more than just implying it's obvious I would be interested. It would make the Clinic more credible. This was on a par with "Everybody dopes and those who win dope even more."

 

[Benotti69]

Re: Re:

...
So what evidence do you have that Murray is comparable to Al Capone in any way?

Do you have evidence that he isn't?

Is that a joke? Neither he nor I are bound to prove that. You are the one making the allegation. If you could manage more than just implying it's obvious I would be interested. It would make the Clinic more credible. This was on a par with "Everybody dopes and those who win dope even more."

And every new doping scandal seems to be more evidence of that. The testing is a joke. The federations are a joke with regards to being anti doping, some actively encourage it and the levels of corruptness make it impossible to complete clean should an athlete want to.

 

[sniper]

Re: Re:

...
And every new doping scandal seems to be more evidence of that.

for some odd reason some refuse to take the history of topsport and the proven gains of doping as 'evidence'.

 

[The Hitch]

Re: Re:

a swede (of ethiopian roots)

She isn't really swedish at all. Lives and trains in Ethiopia, and can't speak a word swedish.

Funny. They are Swedish when they win and represent their adopted country well, but when something like this happens, they are 'hardly Swedish.'

It's not 'funny'. This has been talked about for a while now. It was already known long before she was caught that she most likely lied to get a swedish citizenship.

Of course it's not 'funny.' It's just a saying. Kind of how it's funny that when Andy Murray wins a match or tournament, he is British, when he loses, he's Scottish, according to the English. That's the point I was trying to make. Sweden has been so open and friendly to immigrants from all over the world. Sometimes it doesn't always work out that well though.

I've heart that line a million times but I've never actually seen Murray referred to as Scottish after a loss, nor his Scottish roots denied when he wins.

No idea where it came from nor why people keep repeating it.

 

[The Hitch]

Re: Re:

In case anyone was wondering, Andy is clean:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2016/03/10/andy-murray-dismayed-at-head-supporting-maria-sharapova/

What are they supposed to say then?

I'm not attacking Murray so much as laughing at the British Press, everytime a doping story hits.

They know Andy Murray is worth so much to their industry and to them getting those clicks in June and July. So its always this same reaction of - don't worry, Andy is clean. He spoke out against doping.

 

[sniper]

Glad we got this sorted out.

Real Madrid C.F. would like to express their full support to our honorary member, Rafa Nadal, undoubtedly one of the greatest sportsmen of all time in Spain and in the world.

Rafa Nadal represents the fundamental values of sport. His greatness and his incredible achievements have always been based upon a foundation of exemplary conduct, unwavering work, talent and astonishing levels of commitment.

This being the case, our institution considers the attacks made on his person by former minister Roselyne Bachelot to be unjustifiable and unacceptable.

Real Madrid C.F. consider the close ties to an idol such as Nadal to be an honour, such is his status as a symbol sporting excellence. Nadal is admired and adored by millions of fans the world over, and today our club is standing firmly by his side.

http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/03/official-announcement-rafa-nadal

Where's the "Only in Spain" thread when you need it.

It can't get much more ridiculous than this. Can it?

 

[Irondan]

Re:

Glad we got this sorted out.

Real Madrid C.F. would like to express their full support to our honorary member, Rafa Nadal, undoubtedly one of the greatest sportsmen of all time in Spain and in the world.

Rafa Nadal represents the fundamental values of sport. His greatness and his incredible achievements have always been based upon a foundation of exemplary conduct, unwavering work, talent and astonishing levels of commitment.

This being the case, our institution considers the attacks made on his person by former minister Roselyne Bachelot to be unjustifiable and unacceptable.

Real Madrid C.F. consider the close ties to an idol such as Nadal to be an honour, such is his status as a symbol sporting excellence. Nadal is admired and adored by millions of fans the world over, and today our club is standing firmly by his side.

http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/03/official-announcement-rafa-nadal

Where's the "Only in Spain" thread when you need it.

It can't get much more ridiculous than this. Can it?

Probably, but this proclamation is on the cusp of the twilight zone.

 

[SeriousSam]

Entirely predictable response from the media to Sharapova getting caught. There's hardly anyone with a large audience yet who is courageous enough to dispense with the presumption of innocence, who treats athletes' performances with the appropriate amount of scrutiny. Instead, the national sporting heroes are invited to comment on Maria, and, sure enough, they all note how clean they are and praise their officials and federations for their zero tolerance policies.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Well, I'm happy shes gone at least for a short while. Dreadful screaming, non watchable sport when she's on court.

 

[jmdirt]

Re: Re:

...
So what evidence do you have that Murray is comparable to Al Capone in any way?

Do you have evidence that he isn't?

Is that a joke? Neither he nor I are bound to prove that. You are the one making the allegation. If you could manage more than just implying it's obvious I would be interested. It would make the Clinic more credible. This was on a par with "Everybody dopes and those who win dope even more."

The rule of the internet is guilty until proven innocent. Most did dope, and those who won didn't dope more, they just had a better response to the same dope. Did you use credible and clinic in the same sentence?!

 

[jmdirt]

Re:

Well, I'm happy shes gone at least for a short while. Dreadful screaming, non watchable sport when she's on court.

Two words: MUTE button. What are you going to miss? A witty gem from Johny Mc?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Re: Re:

Well, I'm happy shes gone at least for a short while. Dreadful screaming, non watchable sport when she's on court.

Two words: MUTE button. What are you going to miss? A witty gem from Johny Mc?

well, I miss those too.

The atmosphere.....

 

[sniper]

why isn't mcenroe coaching?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Re:

why isn't mcenroe coaching?

used to be davis cup capt for us I believe.

 

[The Carrot]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/35794268

A Mandy Rice-Davies quote comes to mind

 

[The Hitch]

Re: Re:

...
So what evidence do you have that Murray is comparable to Al Capone in any way?

Do you have evidence that he isn't?

Is that a joke? Neither he nor I are bound to prove that. You are the one making the allegation. If you could manage more than just implying it's obvious I would be interested. It would make the Clinic more credible. This was on a par with "Everybody dopes and those who win dope even more."

The rule of the internet is guilty until proven innocent. Most did dope, and those who won didn't dope more, they just had a better response to the same dope. Did you use credible and clinic in the same sentence?!

Was pretty much the only credible place on the internet during the entire Armstrong thing.

But now the same people in pretty much the same situation are all apparently wrong and deluded.

 

[frenchfry]

Re:

Well, I'm happy shes gone at least for a short while. Dreadful screaming, non watchable sport when she's on court.

Plus her little act of turning her back on her opponent after each point, all designed to destabilise. Total lack of sportsmanship. Glad she is gone.

 

[coinneach]

The debate about tennis has clarified the main positions on peds, I think.....
Andy Murray says you shouldn't be on any meds unless you are ill,
John McEnroe says it's a no-brainer to take legal meds if they give you an edge.

I still think the best way forward is for ALL proscription drugs to be declared publicly.
I know there is an argument about medical confidentiality, but just think for a minute what the rewards are for top sportsmen are: it's a small price to pay if you are going to keep the publics trust.

 

[The Hitch]

The debate about tennis has clarified the main positions on peds, I think.....
Andy Murray says you shouldn't be on any meds unless you are ill,
John McEnroe says it's a no-brainer to take legal meds if they give you an edge.

I still think the best way forward is for ALL proscription drugs to be declared publicly.
I know there is an argument about medical confidentiality, but just think for a minute what the rewards are for top sportsmen are: it's a small price to pay if you are going to keep the publics trust.

Talking about the legality of some aspirin, when the top brass is on full EPO programmes and pumping themselves full of steroids and other hardcore recovery drugs, grand slam after grand slam, would be like a city police force in a high crime area devoting all their resources to investigating a parking ticket.

 

[Benotti69]

The debate about tennis has clarified the main positions on peds, I think.....
Andy Murray says you shouldn't be on any meds unless you are ill,
John McEnroe says it's a no-brainer to take legal meds if they give you an edge.

I still think the best way forward is for ALL proscription drugs to be declared publicly.
I know there is an argument about medical confidentiality, but just think for a minute what the rewards are for top sportsmen are: it's a small price to pay if you are going to keep the publics trust.

The last bus with the public's trust on it left a long time ago. Only sycophants and half wits did not bother to board it!

 

[The Hitch]

The debate about tennis has clarified the main positions on peds, I think.....
Andy Murray says you shouldn't be on any meds unless you are ill,
John McEnroe says it's a no-brainer to take legal meds if they give you an edge.

I still think the best way forward is for ALL proscription drugs to be declared publicly.
I know there is an argument about medical confidentiality, but just think for a minute what the rewards are for top sportsmen are: it's a small price to pay if you are going to keep the publics trust.

The last bus with the public's trust on it left a long time ago. Only sycophants and half wits did not bother to board it!

When it comes to celebrities I'm afraid Benotti, the public's trust is unlimited

 

[arcus]

Professional tennis could teach the mafia about omerta

Great piece by Kimmage

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/tennis/paul-kimmage-professional-tennis-could-teach-the-mafia-about-omerta-34535092.html

 

[Freddythefrog]

Re:

Professional tennis could teach the mafia about omerta

Great piece by Kimmage

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/tennis/paul-kimmage-professional-tennis-could-teach-the-mafia-about-omerta-34535092.html

Yes I think that was great as well. Two articles in the Times today. I bought hard copy so cannot do the link. One by Walsh. I know that will bring out the "he's being paid by Sky" stuff but If you just take it not as a deliberate fail but rather a testament to the skill of Brailsford and Ms Millar and move on, Walsh's article on tennis is good. It does descend into Dawg support later but there are a couple of really good bits.

He uses the example of Emma Jackson, European Junior 800m Champion in 2007, who never makes it to London. Her career is blown off track by a thyroid problem that she was managing quite well with her own team for years with thyroxine.
"...Then in 2011 an official linked to UK Athletics suggested a higher thyroxine dosage...."
It all goes wrong. thyroxine apparently is a performance enhancer, but like anything - too much can cause problems.

".....Eventually her own doctor halved the thyroxine prescription and everything returned to normal. Her father said he felt he got his daughter back. Independent experts looked at her case and said there was never any need to increase her thyroxine prescription, and confirmed that the increase had caused her problems. ....... The phrase she uses in "guinea pig" and what happened to her should have been thoroughly investigated by UK Athletics."

Walsh writes about abuse of TUEs, (without mentioning the dawg) and then goes on
"...Before the 2012 Olympics 1500m runner Lewis Moses posted a tweet about the drug "I'm sick of hearing about British athletes taking thyroid medication. Might not test positive but you're cheating."

Walsh then makes the points, all of us sceptical observers make about Sharapova. She has lived in America since she was 10. Who is the doctor who prescribed it ? Why did she need the same treatment for so long ? Has it been recorded on her anti-doping declarations for the last 10 years ? And then the knife is put into Alberto Salazar with the claims of Lauren Fleshman that he told her how to dupe the system to get Cytomel to help her lose weight without power (which other athletes need that ?) and other prescription drugs that had PE side effects.

Walsh does finish off with quoting the dawg
" he was asked what percentage of riders were still doping in his sport. Whilst insisting he could not be sure, his estimate was that perhaps 3-4% were still cheating. He was then asked to put a number on the percentage of riders guilty of unethical behaviour, using legal medications for purposes for which the were not intended "Forty to fifty percent" he said."

There was another piece in the main section of the paper by Jonathan Calvert and others, the authors of the story about the IAAF not investigating all those off scores properly and starting what Seb described as "war on his sport". It looks like they know all of the 99 names who have tested positive for meldonium, but only 16 are available for presentation to the public at this time. Again that Sharipova's story does not stack up is demonstrated. I think that piece, in the main body of the paper will probably have more traction with a wider readership.

 

[Maxiton]

John McEnroe* on performance enhancing drugs, both legal and illegal:

If a drug is legal but has performance enhancing qualities, should you take it? That's a no-brainer. Are you kidding? Absolutely. There are people out there who know how to do it. I think Lance Armstrong had like, what, 500 drug tests?

*The link above is to the BBC tennis website, which has a form of the interview, but the quote is from BBC World channel where the interview was a bit more expansive.