Does Simone Biles still have TUE for banned stimulant (Ritalin)?

TUE transparency wrote:

Despite the renewed focus on PED use in the Olympics, the media has seemingly buried the TUE controversy surrounding Simon Biles. Back in 2016 the Russian hackers Fancy Bears leaked files from WADA’s database showing that Biles had received TUE for Ritalin, a stimulant banned by WADA due to its performance enhancing effects including increased power, explosiveness, stamina and enhanced concentration. USADA had granted the TUE to Biles prior to 2016 for diagnosed ADHD.

Biles is unquestionably the most athletically gifted gymnast to walk the planet. However, we saw in Tokyo that she is human when she withdrew after several falls due a nasty case of the
“twisties” in which the gymnast becomes disoriented in the air.

The episode was a good reminder of the critical role that mental focus plays in certain sports. A
single, split-second lapse of concentration can ruin the chance to medal. Its why sports like gymnastics, figure skating, golf, etc. are so nerve-racking to watch.

It is also one of the primary reasons why WADA bans stimulants. Using a drug to enhance concentration and sustain mental focus would provide an athlete with a major competitive advantage. Look at all of the reports about NFL and MLB players taking Adderall with and without TUEs. Even the PGA wised up when it was reported how many players were using betablockers to gain an edge.

So why is no one in the media asking Biles whether she is still taking Ritalin under a TUE? And if the answer is yes, does this provides Biles with an unfair PED advantage?

I’ve read the argument on LRC and elsewhere that Ritalin and/or Adderall doesn’t give a PED boost to athletes with ADHD because the drug merely allows them to “get to normal levels of concentration.” This is highly questionable.

As often pointed out on LRC, genetics play a huge role in sport. The winner is not only the athlete with the most physical gifts, but also the one with the least genetic weaknesses. ADHD is a genetic disadvantage in gymnastics and other sports requiring extreme concentration. It’s no different from a talented but injury prone runner who can’t absorb high mileage; a gifted golfer with shaky nerves (poor Greg Norman); or a lightning fast boxer with the curse of frail knuckle bones.

The sport of MMA fell into this trap years ago when they gave TUEs to fighters with low testosterone levels to use TRT to raise their T to “normal” levels. Google “TRT Vitor” to see the
results.

I don’t understand why the media gives both Biles and USADA a free pass on this topic. Yet another reason why all TUEs should be disclosed to the public.

Link:www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/educatio...

Dubious argument wrote:

TUE transparency wrote:

Despite the renewed focus on PED use in the Olympics, the media has seemingly buried the TUE controversy surrounding Simon Biles. Back in 2016 the Russian hackers Fancy Bears leaked files from WADA’s database showing that Biles had received TUE for Ritalin, a stimulant banned by WADA due to its performance enhancing effects including increased power, explosiveness, stamina and enhanced concentration. USADA had granted the TUE to Biles prior to 2016 for diagnosed ADHD.

Biles is unquestionably the most athletically gifted gymnast to walk the planet. However, we saw in Tokyo that she is human when she withdrew after several falls due a nasty case of the
“twisties” in which the gymnast becomes disoriented in the air.

The episode was a good reminder of the critical role that mental focus plays in certain sports. A
single, split-second lapse of concentration can ruin the chance to medal. Its why sports like gymnastics, figure skating, golf, etc. are so nerve-racking to watch.

It is also one of the primary reasons why WADA bans stimulants. Using a drug to enhance concentration and sustain mental focus would provide an athlete with a major competitive advantage. Look at all of the reports about NFL and MLB players taking Adderall with and without TUEs. Even the PGA wised up when it was reported how many players were using betablockers to gain an edge.

So why is no one in the media asking Biles whether she is still taking Ritalin under a TUE? And if the answer is yes, does this provides Biles with an unfair PED advantage?

I’ve read the argument on LRC and elsewhere that Ritalin and/or Adderall doesn’t give a PED boost to athletes with ADHD because the drug merely allows them to “get to normal levels of concentration.” This is highly questionable.

As often pointed out on LRC, genetics play a huge role in sport. The winner is not only the athlete with the most physical gifts, but also the one with the least genetic weaknesses. ADHD is a genetic disadvantage in gymnastics and other sports requiring extreme concentration. It’s no different from a talented but injury prone runner who can’t absorb high mileage; a gifted golfer with shaky nerves (poor Greg Norman); or a lightning fast boxer with the curse of frail knuckle bones.

The sport of MMA fell into this trap years ago when they gave TUEs to fighters with low testosterone levels to use TRT to raise their T to “normal” levels. Google “TRT Vitor” to see the
results.

I don’t understand why the media gives both Biles and USADA a free pass on this topic. Yet another reason why all TUEs should be disclosed to the public.

Link:www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/educatio...

"Genetics play a huge role in sport" is your argument for not allowing athletes with ADHD to take their required medication? Genetics also pay a huge role in academics, performance at work, etc. This doesn't mean that reasonable adjustments can't be made. The medication simply puts them on an equal playing field to everyone else and confers no physical advantage. This is a key difference that you aren't considering when equating Ritalin to testosterone/other drugs whose effects manifest physically.

If you consider TUEs in their intended purpose (i.e. using them for a legitimate condition), there is no justifiable reason to mandate their publicising, it's the athlete's business whether we like it or not.

And frankly if you think Ritalin use makes what she's doing less impressive then you are greatly discrediting her.

TUE transparency wrote:

Despite the renewed focus on PED use in the Olympics, the media has seemingly buried the TUE controversy surrounding Simon Biles. Back in 2016 the Russian hackers Fancy Bears leaked files from WADA’s database showing that Biles had received TUE for Ritalin, a stimulant banned by WADA due to its performance enhancing effects including increased power, explosiveness, stamina and enhanced concentration. USADA had granted the TUE to Biles prior to 2016 for diagnosed ADHD.

Biles is unquestionably the most athletically gifted gymnast to walk the planet. However, we saw in Tokyo that she is human when she withdrew after several falls due a nasty case of the
“twisties” in which the gymnast becomes disoriented in the air.

The episode was a good reminder of the critical role that mental focus plays in certain sports. A
single, split-second lapse of concentration can ruin the chance to medal. Its why sports like gymnastics, figure skating, golf, etc. are so nerve-racking to watch.

It is also one of the primary reasons why WADA bans stimulants. Using a drug to enhance concentration and sustain mental focus would provide an athlete with a major competitive advantage. Look at all of the reports about NFL and MLB players taking Adderall with and without TUEs. Even the PGA wised up when it was reported how many players were using betablockers to gain an edge.

So why is no one in the media asking Biles whether she is still taking Ritalin under a TUE? And if the answer is yes, does this provides Biles with an unfair PED advantage?

I’ve read the argument on LRC and elsewhere that Ritalin and/or Adderall doesn’t give a PED boost to athletes with ADHD because the drug merely allows them to “get to normal levels of concentration.” This is highly questionable.

As often pointed out on LRC, genetics play a huge role in sport. The winner is not only the athlete with the most physical gifts, but also the one with the least genetic weaknesses. ADHD is a genetic disadvantage in gymnastics and other sports requiring extreme concentration. It’s no different from a talented but injury prone runner who can’t absorb high mileage; a gifted golfer with shaky nerves (poor Greg Norman); or a lightning fast boxer with the curse of frail knuckle bones.

The sport of MMA fell into this trap years ago when they gave TUEs to fighters with low testosterone levels to use TRT to raise their T to “normal” levels. Google “TRT Vitor” to see the
results.

I don’t understand why the media gives both Biles and USADA a free pass on this topic. Yet another reason why all TUEs should be jdisclosed to the public.

Link:www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/educatio...