Accountability?

Posted by on Nov 11, 2006 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Apparently USADA believes that athletes are the only people who are held accountable for their actions. Even when USADA admits (see the press release) that it is impossible to hold an athlete accountable, they still hold them accountable.

It was determined that neither Sager nor Redpath were significantly at fault for the violation, which justified the reduction in the period of ineligibility under the applicable rules.

So let me get this right. USADA admits that Jason was not at fault, but still dishes out a 1 year suspension? I suspect some of the same B.S. for Bart, who just received notice of his suspension, for the same “offense”.

Interesting that Jason Sager was not the only racer to miss a sample at Deer Valley. But the lack of communication from USADA could not have had anything to do with multiple people missing tests. USADA performs their noble duty perfectly.

Still want a governing body for Endurance events?

I can see it now….

Dear Mr. Lisonbee,

We regret to inform you that we must suspend you for 1 year because while you were lost in the Colorado desert during this so called “KTR” you missed a drug test. We didn’t tell you about this test, nor inform anyone who would be able to to contact you about it either. But really, let’s face it, you were in the desert!

I feel for Sager and Bart. They work hard, they race clean. I have been racing against Bart and his brothers, and his dad for years. His 50+ year old dad can kick my butt. They are good people. I hate to see this garbage fall on the heads of good, honest people.

Jason and Bart, hang in there, if we are lucky NORBA, USADA, and the whole lot of them will bury themselves in their own inane, and insane, rules.

2 Comments

  1. Bart G
    November 11, 2006

    thanks for the props, maybe I will become an endurance racer for a year or two.

  2. Utah Mnt biker
    November 13, 2006

    More then accountability, it seems that the USADA has a communication problem. Maybe I don’t understand the process, but it seems that they should have a white-board or something at the officials area and every athlete is responsible for checking it within X period of time after a race to see if they are a random selection.

    Having worked as a volunteer for World Cup skiing events for years, they don’t seem to have a problem with athletes missing drug screens. They have an escort for each athlete that accompanies the athlete from the finish area to the screening area to assure that the athlete not only takes the drug screen but doesn’t do anything that will mask any drugs.

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