4 ms·

Russian Insider Says State-Run Doping Fueled Olympic Gold

56 points by williamscales 10y ago

carsongross 10y ago
I would be surprised to learn that USOC isn't doing the same thing. The stakes are so high now and the training is so thorough, the temptation to cheat must be immense.
- germinalphrase 10y ago
  Are the stakes really that high? Perhaps I'm naive - but other than bragging rights (and corruption potential for hosting nations) what is really at stake?
  - jayess 10y ago
    Tribalism.
  - mhurron 10y ago
    > other than bragging rights Nationalism makes people do some stupid things.
  - jonwachob91 10y ago
    You underestimate my pride when the US wins ribbon dancing... Funnies aside though, people's jobs depend on wins. So why not encourage athletes to dope if you can protect them.
- kidcoach 10y ago
  It plays out in parallel to the political systems. In America the individuals cheat and in Russia the state cheats.
  - carsongross 10y ago
    Interesting. I would still be surprised if there wasn't underlying infrastructure in place the USOC, at least in 'looking the other way' terms.
- gherkin0 10y ago
  > I would be surprised to learn that USOC isn't doing the same thing. Does the US government care enough about its Olympic performance to coordinate systematic cheating like this? Winning at sports is cool, but my impression is that authoritarian governments care much more about it (as a matter of national prestige) than non-authoritarian governments do.
skylan_q 10y ago
I like getting my news on what Russia is doing bad from the New York Times. It doesn't get more credible than that.
dmix 10y ago
The NYTimes is implying that Russia might be involved in the killing of two former officials? > Back in Russia, two of Dr. Rodchenkov’s close colleagues died unexpectedly in February, within weeks of each other; both were former antidoping officials, one who resigned soon after Dr. Rodchenkov fled the country. This seems like either a big deal or coincidence. Although I doubt they have much evidence other than to say they died 'unexpectedly'. Which is always a safe observation when two people have heart attacks, one at age 52. Although losing your job and being called 'disgraced' can definitely increase the odds.
justsaysmthng 10y ago
If it's true, I wouldn't be surprised at all, just amused. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if other countries do it too. Professional Sport, like the rest of society is corrupt as hell. Cycling, Athletics, Soccer, Baseball .. you name it.. mainly because it's not about the sport, it's about the money. The more money involved, the more incentives to cheat. Now when someone cheats and doesn't get caught, you either cry wolf, or shut up and cheat too. If they do, we'll do it too. There are millions on the table up for grabs. After all, why is it so wrong to dope? Who's affected ? The TV viewers ? They just drink their beers and eat their chips and get fat watching sports, then go out and buy all the crap that's shoveled into their minds during the commercial breaks. Because "sports" is not about physical exercise, it's about advertising. It's not about being healthy, it's about getting high blood pressure and diabetes from sitting in front of the TV screen... It's all a big charade anyway.. so, nothing surprising here.
exhilaration 10y ago
We hear about state-level actors hacking into computer systems but the allegation here is that they managed to hack into sealed urine bottles. It seems like no system safe in the face of sufficient money and manpower.

56 points by williamscales 10y ago

I would be surprised to learn that USOC isn't doing the same thing. The stakes are so high now and the training is so thorough, the temptation to cheat must be immense.

germinalphrase 10y ago
Are the stakes really that high? Perhaps I'm naive - but other than bragging rights (and corruption potential for hosting nations) what is really at stake?
- jayess 10y ago
  Tribalism.
- mhurron 10y ago
  > other than bragging rights Nationalism makes people do some stupid things.
- jonwachob91 10y ago
  You underestimate my pride when the US wins ribbon dancing... Funnies aside though, people's jobs depend on wins. So why not encourage athletes to dope if you can protect them.
kidcoach 10y ago
It plays out in parallel to the political systems. In America the individuals cheat and in Russia the state cheats.
- carsongross 10y ago
  Interesting. I would still be surprised if there wasn't underlying infrastructure in place the USOC, at least in 'looking the other way' terms.
gherkin0 10y ago
> I would be surprised to learn that USOC isn't doing the same thing. Does the US government care enough about its Olympic performance to coordinate systematic cheating like this? Winning at sports is cool, but my impression is that authoritarian governments care much more about it (as a matter of national prestige) than non-authoritarian governments do.

skylan_q 10y ago

I like getting my news on what Russia is doing bad from the New York Times. It doesn't get more credible than that.

dmix 10y ago

The NYTimes is implying that Russia might be involved in the killing of two former officials? > Back in Russia, two of Dr. Rodchenkov’s close colleagues died unexpectedly in February, within weeks of each other; both were former antidoping officials, one who resigned soon after Dr. Rodchenkov fled the country. This seems like either a big deal or coincidence. Although I doubt they have much evidence other than to say they died 'unexpectedly'. Which is always a safe observation when two people have heart attacks, one at age 52. Although losing your job and being called 'disgraced' can definitely increase the odds.

justsaysmthng 10y ago

If it's true, I wouldn't be surprised at all, just amused. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if other countries do it too. Professional Sport, like the rest of society is corrupt as hell. Cycling, Athletics, Soccer, Baseball .. you name it.. mainly because it's not about the sport, it's about the money. The more money involved, the more incentives to cheat. Now when someone cheats and doesn't get caught, you either cry wolf, or shut up and cheat too. If they do, we'll do it too. There are millions on the table up for grabs. After all, why is it so wrong to dope? Who's affected ? The TV viewers ? They just drink their beers and eat their chips and get fat watching sports, then go out and buy all the crap that's shoveled into their minds during the commercial breaks. Because "sports" is not about physical exercise, it's about advertising. It's not about being healthy, it's about getting high blood pressure and diabetes from sitting in front of the TV screen... It's all a big charade anyway.. so, nothing surprising here.

exhilaration 10y ago

We hear about state-level actors hacking into computer systems but the allegation here is that they managed to hack into sealed urine bottles. It seems like no system safe in the face of sufficient money and manpower.