I wasn't exactly making a brave, unconventional statement when I said - to some controversy - that Veepalu's gold at Liberec was suspicious. Now the Estonian's name has come up in connection with the growing Humanplasma scandal that's so far involved the circle of cyclists and triathletes around the coaches Stefan Matschiner and Walter Mayer.
While Veerpalu's penchant for altitude training is well known, he may have been enjoyed perks beyond the thin air: "Veerpalu has stayed in Walter Mayer's house in Ramsau am Dachstein, who has been one of the focal points where the blood and drugs have come from Humanplasma in Vienna." What's more, the disgraced King of the Mountains Bernhard Kohl has said that he knows Christian Hoffmann was being treated at Humanplasma - a charge Hoffmann has denied.
The implications here are interesting for U.S. fans, of course. If these charges are borne out and the FIS went all out (or would it be all in?) with sanctions, the fourth-place skier in the men's 15km would move up one notch.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Even More Dope
Posted by Christopher Tassava at 7:04 AM
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6 comments:
FWIW both Veerpalu and coach Alaver vehemently deny that he has ever stayed at Walter Mayer's pension.
(They could of course be lying, but in that case there's a chance that someone might come up with contrary evidence.)
Here is the so called black-list from FIS year 2003. Sorrey that some words are in Swedish but I think you understand enough of it. "namn okänt" means "name not known"
Jaak Mae. 30 år, Estland. OS-brons 15 km 2002. Christian Hoffmann. 28 år , Österrike. OS-silver 30 km 2002. Lukas Bauer. 25 år, Tjeckien. 7:a 30 km, OS 2002. Achim Walcher. 35 år, Österrike. 10:a 50 km, VM 1999. Tobias Angerer. 25 år, Tyskland. 7:a sprint, OS 2002. Andreas Schlütter. 30 år, Tyskland. 4:a 50 km, OS 2002. Vladimir Vilissov. 26 år, Ryssland. 7:a 50 km VM -99 & -01. Aivar Rehemaa. 20 år, Estland. JVM-guld 30 km 2002. Ari Palolahti. 34 år, Finland. 4:a sprint, VM 2001. Vitalij Denisov. 26 år, Ryssland. VM-brons jaktstart 2001. Landslagsåkare från Ryssland. Namn okänt. Landslagsåkare från Ryssland. Namn okänt. Landslagsåkare från Italien. Namn okänt. Landslagsåkare från Kazakstan. Namn okänt.
What exactly is the "black-list" from 2003? Athletes that exceed a hematocrit of 50, or something more sinister?
It was a list of skiers whose hemoglobin values had changed a lot or whose values were at times otherwise suspiciously high. These skiers got more than their share of unannounced doping tests (and probably some special alalysis for the sake of science and improved anti-doping methods).
Not all of the skiers were dopers, though.
PS a "funny" link is that Stefan Matschiner was the manager of Dutch steeplechaser Simon Vroemen who got busted for a steroid - he denies any wrongdoing - and when Kaisa Varis denied any wrongdoing, it was Dr. Simon Vroemen whom she called in as her molecular biolgical expert to watch over the analysis of her B-sample.
(The IBU f'ed up and analysed the B-sample in their absence and the CAS had no other option but to free Ms Varis...)
So far, the athletes having been caught, and penalized for doping offences, more often than not have been unfriendly personalities, at least to me. Braggy, loud, attention seeking, arrogant, self centered, etc. The modest silent types that rules their respective sports, remain untouched. I can only presume character doesn't make anti-doping testers do more or less their best. Although, the 24 out-of-competition tests Lance Armstrong has been flattered with since September or so, is clearly without grounds.
Another thought.
It seems to me, that as for instance hematocrit is regarded acceptable up till 50%, this kindof encourages athletes with naturally "low" hemacrit levels, to do even more than altitude training. There is much more to be had for them, staying within the measurable 50%.
Armstrong for instance, seemed to be riding pretty well recently for a fresh ex-retiree with a 42% hematocrit. You won't see him spike toward 50% I think. I bet his past tests when on top form in France, can only confirm that. Which will drive the French even more wild. This time, they set him up to be banned for a technicality. "If you can beat them, cheat" must be the French anti-doping motto...
If I were unfriendly and arrogant, and found my hematocrit to be in the low 40's, I would make sure I'd never be tested under 46. So, before I get to the level where I am tested, I'll need to stock up on red blood cells. You can't just buy a pill to win big races anymore...
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