sdkjfkjsdhf wrote:
So, if Ritz, Kara, Adam, and Magness testified, in order for USADA to have come to the conclusion they did, none of those four had any evidence to provide of any athletes being doped (other than the technicality with "not a real athlete" Magness). USADA stated that Salazar worked hard to stay within the rules, so was that conclusion based on Ritz, Kara, Adam, and Magness's testimony?
If these four could not provide enough evidence to lead to a doping charge (I mean one that actually led to a competing athlete getting an illegal performance enhancement), where is the doping? They all seem to allege that there was some kind of inner circle that included only Salazar, Rupp, and Farah and therefore something dirty must have been going on. Isn't it entirely possible that they misinterpreted why they were not on the inside? Perhaps Salazar just placed his focus on those two because he felt they were the most talented, and the others felt hurt that they were kept out. When I was an athlete, I had a coach who chose to focus on my teammate rather than me. It felt pretty bad because I felt like I was more dedicated and more talented (we had pretty equal PRs at the time and I had far better basic speed). Eventually my teammate became a top 10 USA 3200m runner while I ended up top 10 in the state, about 20s slower. I didn't spout off and assume my teammate was secretly doping because he had a tight relationship with the coach. Maybe my coach just recognized the talent in my teammate...
I really don't get the cloud around Rupp. He hasn't failed any tests. USADA didn't come up with any sanctions despite all these former NOP people testifying. He doesn't have impossible PRs...Ritz ran faster in the 5000m, Solinsky ran close in the 10000m and might have been better had he not wrecked his career with injury. Hall ran faster in the marathon and Ritz was pretty close. So why is there suspicion? Because he ran some amazing workouts around the time he ran a fast indoor 3000m (only on par with Bob Kennedy's fitness level)? Because he managed to run an awesome mile time which didn't seem to translate to a good 1500m or a big time in the 5000m? I only see outstanding coaching here. It lines up with Kara going from not a big name to becoming a global medalist.
I get the cloud around Farah. He looks dirty as hell. My purely speculative theory is that Salazar was trying to utilize the gray areas but stay legal, and that Farah doped on his own when he was training in Africa. Farah used NOP for their outstanding coaching and facilities, then took the extra steps when he was away from Portland. It might be that he was quietly advised to do this by Salazar, or that he just did it on his own. That's just my own theory which is no better than any other since I have no evidence.
At this point, Salazar is guilty of pushing the gray areas too hard. These is no evidence on any of his athletes. Until there is, I'm not going to assume they are doping just because they are fast. Schumacher has a lot of fast athletes and times alone don't indicate doping to me. Are we to assume that Salazar is only getting mediocre athletes, then doping them to times that are only on par with Schumacher's athletes?
I know, now I'm a Nike shill. I'll just say that I'm waiting for evidence that any of his athletes doped. I hope many of you never sit on a jury.
+1