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Ronan Pensec: And the Winner Is...
Posted by ActiveTdF on Jul 25, 2007 9:48:00 AM
Jul 25, 2007 2:28 PM
Mark
says:
Mark
says:
I enjoy your blog very much. I, like alot of prople, find myself saddened by this latest doping problem. I am probably too naive to think that the answer is simple; STOP DOPING.
Keep up with the great posts from the Tour. Thanks!
Jul 25, 2007 9:31 PM
kathi
says:
kathi
says:
It seems to me that with the world's addiction rate of over 10% and people who excel in life often being ADHD, that the possibilitiy of this smal group of elite riders may have serious mental health problems that we are ignoring. And more importantly, telling them they are bad people, cheaters, and we are not giving them the mental health help they need.
The ability to perform at the top is the rare athlete, and yet, we somehow believe that everyone can do it and more importantly, judge our worthiness by it. Our society has continued to ignore mental health issues and the notion of addiction. You can bet that when someone with an addiction problem wins using drugs, they will do it again. And simply having stringent rules to follow will be impossible for the addicted. For the athlete without an addiction problem, they will stop because they can control this behavior.
Why are we continuing to ridicule people instead of helping them? I have always had great admiration for the commentators but when those who are addicted are called cheaters and ridiculed for a mental/physical illness, I am disappointed. Everyone loves Sally Field who came out years ago helping to further mental illness when she disclosed she had bipolar or manic depression. For years, medicine thought that schizophrenia was caused by controlling mothers. And there are still many professionals who believe someone who is depressed should simply be able to "get over it". We know there are physiological reasons for these problems, just as in diabetes, and heart disease. Please, lets help these talented athletes get back on their feet with their own power through the use of the many ways to get help for addiciton problems, a definate physiological problem.
Blessings to all of you who understand addiction and prayers to you who don't.
Jul 26, 2007 10:51 AM
norm
says:
norm
says:
I appreciate your commentary. I is so sad to feel that not only is the use of PEDs & blood out there, but that so many of the peloton probably have felt they had little choice. I am glad that is changing. Obviously many people are complicit with the blood transfusions--the blood had to come from somewhere, had to be (I hope!) properly tested and stored and although the actual administration is fairly easy, it is full of risks, from mild allergic reactions to full on shock & death. That Vino went this course is very very disheartening, since he did show so many admirable qualities. Now I wonder, is intravenous rehydration (with a plain dextrose or saline solution) permissible and used post race, as it is for marathon runners?
Your idea of team training is a good one, although might not be easily done (note how Chris Horner often mentions his reluctance to spend any more time away from his family). I wonder, though, if there can't be an absolute ban on any outside-the-team or outside the UCI "medical" advisement.
Very cliche but......
You're a winner in my book!
I just wanted to let you know that you're strength and perseverance is respected and I wish you health and happiness. Enjoy the Tour....remember you're an elite athlete and these moments may not come again. Cherish the scenery and the ride. Life is good for you. Congratulations.
(If you have a moment, check out the "Zarifian Method" on line - an athlete frind of mine, also an elite athlete).