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World’s No 1 bridge player suspended after failing a drugs test

51 points by ucha 8y ago

droithomme 8y ago
The anti-doping stuff has gone too far. It's like the zero tolerance policies in schools where students are expelled for bringing a 1cm long lego gun to school. In addition to the points that this is a legal drug, was probably prescribed for a legitimate use, and isn't performance enhancing for bridge, there's the issue where actual drugs that are performance enhancing for bridge, like caffeine, are not banned.
rdegges 8y ago
This is so... Silly. It's too bad this article is light on the details. I wonder if this guy is just on testosterone replacement therapy, which is an increasingly common occurrence. Low testosterone can cause poor health and a number of other issues (some psychological) in men. Regardless, saying that because someone tests positive for a non performance enhancing drug they should have their card playing medals stripped makes no sense at all. :/
- CalChris 8y ago
  Yes, but are there any conceivable details that would have made it less silly? I read the headline alone and immediately it sent to a tournament bridge playing relative with a cautionary note. Perhaps the Guardian could have stooped to the click bait standard and I might have read a little more: You won't believe what happened to this bridge player!
  - notahacker 8y ago
    You could have probably read the details in the article (WBF tournament bridge follows Olympic anti-doping rules designed for athletes, presumably because they applied to make bridge an Olympic sport rather than because of any bridge skill enhancements from growth hormones) in the time you typed out the comment saying you didn't read beyond the headline...
- Alex3917 8y ago
  > I wonder if this guy is just on testosterone replacement therapy More likely he was trying to have kids.
  - Nelson69 8y ago
    WADA and most sports have exemptions. A so-called "Therapeutic Usage Exemption" or TUE. They are easy enough to get that team doctors for certain cycling teams have abused them. The female drug is the interesting one. Typically testosterone is detected by measuring the ratios of different hormones, a lot of testosterone isn't even unusual in many people but it's balanced out by epi-testosterone. When you add testosterone via unnatural means the ratio skews. (Read about "the cream" that Barry Bonds used with "The Clear", it was used for masking) Hard to say what goes on in some of these folks' heads, they generally know the rules and they know the penalties and they know they'll be tested. I'd assume he took both to mask something. If you're really trying to have kids or on T-replacement, you have a doctor treating use, measuring things and that doctor can provide a TUE letter.
  - dr_teh 8y ago
    TRT actually damages fertility. It's useless for having kids.
- bjourne 8y ago
  That doesn't explain the clomifeme. I doubt the drugs are performance enhancers in bridge, but he might have been taking them for other (cosmetic?) reasons.
  - HarryHirsch 8y ago
    Clomiphene is indicated for low sperm count in men, it increases production of FSH and LH, which in turn acts on the testicles. That would also explain the exogenous testosterone. Thanks, Guardian, for letting the world know about that person's medical issues.
    - stochastic_monk 8y ago
      It’s also used as an adjunct for anabolic steroids. That’s more likely the case than clomiphene alone resulting in superphysiological androgen levels.
      - HarryHirsch 8y ago
        The compound is used in doping protocols. That said, looking at his photos, the gentleman really doesn't look like a bodybuilder.
- jdietrich 8y ago
  It's a weird artefact of several layers of sports politics. The World Bridge Federation is an IOC recognised sports federation, which requires them to follow World Anti-Doping Agency rules. The decision to seek IOC recognition was partly motivated by the (somewhat vain) hope of becoming an Olympic sport, but it's also partly financial because IOC recognition attracts a significant level of funding. The WADA list of prohibited substances and methods is somewhat eccentric and clearly influenced by political concerns rather than pure science. Psychoactive cannabinoids are prohibited despite no clear evidence of performance enhancement, caffeine isn't prohibited despite clear evidence of performance enhancement and beta-blockers are only prohibited in specific sports. The competitor in question would be permitted to use the substances in question if prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of a recognised medical condition, but he would be required to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption within five days of an adverse analytical finding (a failed drugs test); it is understandable that the competitor may have been entirely oblivious to his obligations under the WADA code.
RileyJames 8y ago
> tested positive for synthetic testosterone and the female fertility drug clomifene Neither appear to be illegal (although require prescription in most countries) and neither are performance enhancing. What is the purpose of these rules in this case?
- bdcravens 8y ago
  "The World Bridge Federation (WBF) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and as such abides by World Anti-Doping Agency rules."
- dimfeld 8y ago
  The article says “The World Bridge Federation (WBF) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and as such abides by World Anti-Doping Agency rules.” It’s unfortunate that nobody quoted in the article seems to realize the absurdity of this action, but maybe staying in the good graces of the IOC is too important to them.
  - WalterGR 8y ago
    > It’s unfortunate that nobody quoted in the article seems to realize the absurdity of this action, but maybe staying in the good graces of the IOC is too important to them. Here are 2 of the total 10 paragraphs of the article: Kari-Anne Opsal, president of the Norwegian Bridge Federation, said the drugs were “not performance enhancing”. In a statement on the federation’s website, she said: “Geir Helgemo … has previously played for the Norwegian national team and is our biggest star. Many within the bridge community know Geir and respect him. “It is his responsibility not to take substances that are on the doping list, even though in this instance they are not performance enhancing in bridge. I feel for Geir in this situation and hope he will come back stronger after his ban ends.”
    - dimfeld 8y ago
      Perhaps we have different interpretations of those quotes, but I think they reinforce my point, which is that they take a “rules are rules” approach rather than thinking of if the rules actually make sense.
maehwasu 8y ago
Can’t have Bezos Prime intimdating others at the bridge table.
Simulacra 8y ago
Ok this is getting ridiculous. Physical performance enhancing drugs I can understand, but there is no magic pill, no genius injection, and absolutely no definitive proof that a specific drug is going to give someone an advantage. There is simply too much bioindividuality...hence why I don't take adderall anymore.
- ucha 8y ago
  There is proof that modafinil and methylphenidate (Provigil and Ritalin) improve chess performance: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X17300196 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X1...
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
benj111 8y ago
So if I'm understanding this correctly, the IOC /WADA has one list of banned drugs regardless of sport and gender. To me it seems obvious that performance enhancing varies from sport to sport. Why did this not occur to the IOC/WADA ???
- jlarocco 8y ago
  I disagree. Most drugs on the list (maybe even all?) will increase physical performance across the board for all physical activity. Testosterone will bump up muscle production whether you're swimming, running, cycling, lifting, skiing, or whatever. This is just more evidence that Bridge doesn't belong in the Olympics, IMO.
  - benj111 8y ago
    Example, there are banned drugs the open up the airways. Now if you're doing an endurance event then it is probably performance enhancing, if you're a curler or a diver, not so much. Then there are in between sports (that rely on skill as much as or more than physical strength) do you want a blanket ban on a drug some people may legitimately use just to prevent some one gaining an advantage? I would say possibly, but it should be evidence based, it shouldn't be done lightly. Further the drug testing regime isn't some casual, hand in a urine sample with your entry form. Its making yourself available at set times, just in case some one tests you, and then it's peeing in a cup in front of them.
    - Robin_Message 8y ago
      There are drugs that are banned in some sports but not others, e.g. beta-blockers. Source: built the UK drug database and peeing in a cup scheduling system around 2004.
      - benj111 8y ago
        Do you have any idea why Bridge would ban, what they admit is a non performance enhancing drug then? Is it because of the IOC links?
forgotmypw2 8y ago
I thought it was going to be a stimulant like adderall, which probably would give a bridge player a significant advantage.
BenMorganIO 8y ago
Well, I guess he burned that bridge XD
ydnaclementine 8y ago
related xkcd: https://xkcd.com/1173/ https://xkcd.com/1173/

51 points by ucha 8y ago

The anti-doping stuff has gone too far. It's like the zero tolerance policies in schools where students are expelled for bringing a 1cm long lego gun to school. In addition to the points that this is a legal drug, was probably prescribed for a legitimate use, and isn't performance enhancing for bridge, there's the issue where actual drugs that are performance enhancing for bridge, like caffeine, are not banned.

rdegges 8y ago

This is so... Silly. It's too bad this article is light on the details. I wonder if this guy is just on testosterone replacement therapy, which is an increasingly common occurrence. Low testosterone can cause poor health and a number of other issues (some psychological) in men. Regardless, saying that because someone tests positive for a non performance enhancing drug they should have their card playing medals stripped makes no sense at all. :/

CalChris 8y ago
Yes, but are there any conceivable details that would have made it less silly? I read the headline alone and immediately it sent to a tournament bridge playing relative with a cautionary note. Perhaps the Guardian could have stooped to the click bait standard and I might have read a little more: You won't believe what happened to this bridge player!
- notahacker 8y ago
  You could have probably read the details in the article (WBF tournament bridge follows Olympic anti-doping rules designed for athletes, presumably because they applied to make bridge an Olympic sport rather than because of any bridge skill enhancements from growth hormones) in the time you typed out the comment saying you didn't read beyond the headline...
Alex3917 8y ago
> I wonder if this guy is just on testosterone replacement therapy More likely he was trying to have kids.
- Nelson69 8y ago
  WADA and most sports have exemptions. A so-called "Therapeutic Usage Exemption" or TUE. They are easy enough to get that team doctors for certain cycling teams have abused them. The female drug is the interesting one. Typically testosterone is detected by measuring the ratios of different hormones, a lot of testosterone isn't even unusual in many people but it's balanced out by epi-testosterone. When you add testosterone via unnatural means the ratio skews. (Read about "the cream" that Barry Bonds used with "The Clear", it was used for masking) Hard to say what goes on in some of these folks' heads, they generally know the rules and they know the penalties and they know they'll be tested. I'd assume he took both to mask something. If you're really trying to have kids or on T-replacement, you have a doctor treating use, measuring things and that doctor can provide a TUE letter.
- dr_teh 8y ago
  TRT actually damages fertility. It's useless for having kids.
bjourne 8y ago
That doesn't explain the clomifeme. I doubt the drugs are performance enhancers in bridge, but he might have been taking them for other (cosmetic?) reasons.
- HarryHirsch 8y ago
  Clomiphene is indicated for low sperm count in men, it increases production of FSH and LH, which in turn acts on the testicles. That would also explain the exogenous testosterone. Thanks, Guardian, for letting the world know about that person's medical issues.
  - stochastic_monk 8y ago
    It’s also used as an adjunct for anabolic steroids. That’s more likely the case than clomiphene alone resulting in superphysiological androgen levels.
    - HarryHirsch 8y ago
      The compound is used in doping protocols. That said, looking at his photos, the gentleman really doesn't look like a bodybuilder.
jdietrich 8y ago
It's a weird artefact of several layers of sports politics. The World Bridge Federation is an IOC recognised sports federation, which requires them to follow World Anti-Doping Agency rules. The decision to seek IOC recognition was partly motivated by the (somewhat vain) hope of becoming an Olympic sport, but it's also partly financial because IOC recognition attracts a significant level of funding. The WADA list of prohibited substances and methods is somewhat eccentric and clearly influenced by political concerns rather than pure science. Psychoactive cannabinoids are prohibited despite no clear evidence of performance enhancement, caffeine isn't prohibited despite clear evidence of performance enhancement and beta-blockers are only prohibited in specific sports. The competitor in question would be permitted to use the substances in question if prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of a recognised medical condition, but he would be required to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption within five days of an adverse analytical finding (a failed drugs test); it is understandable that the competitor may have been entirely oblivious to his obligations under the WADA code.

RileyJames 8y ago

> tested positive for synthetic testosterone and the female fertility drug clomifene Neither appear to be illegal (although require prescription in most countries) and neither are performance enhancing. What is the purpose of these rules in this case?

bdcravens 8y ago
"The World Bridge Federation (WBF) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and as such abides by World Anti-Doping Agency rules."
dimfeld 8y ago
The article says “The World Bridge Federation (WBF) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and as such abides by World Anti-Doping Agency rules.” It’s unfortunate that nobody quoted in the article seems to realize the absurdity of this action, but maybe staying in the good graces of the IOC is too important to them.
- WalterGR 8y ago
  > It’s unfortunate that nobody quoted in the article seems to realize the absurdity of this action, but maybe staying in the good graces of the IOC is too important to them. Here are 2 of the total 10 paragraphs of the article: Kari-Anne Opsal, president of the Norwegian Bridge Federation, said the drugs were “not performance enhancing”. In a statement on the federation’s website, she said: “Geir Helgemo … has previously played for the Norwegian national team and is our biggest star. Many within the bridge community know Geir and respect him. “It is his responsibility not to take substances that are on the doping list, even though in this instance they are not performance enhancing in bridge. I feel for Geir in this situation and hope he will come back stronger after his ban ends.”
  - dimfeld 8y ago
    Perhaps we have different interpretations of those quotes, but I think they reinforce my point, which is that they take a “rules are rules” approach rather than thinking of if the rules actually make sense.

maehwasu 8y ago

Can’t have Bezos Prime intimdating others at the bridge table.

Simulacra 8y ago

Ok this is getting ridiculous. Physical performance enhancing drugs I can understand, but there is no magic pill, no genius injection, and absolutely no definitive proof that a specific drug is going to give someone an advantage. There is simply too much bioindividuality...hence why I don't take adderall anymore.

ucha 8y ago
There is proof that modafinil and methylphenidate (Provigil and Ritalin) improve chess performance: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X17300196 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X1...
deleted 8y ago
[deleted]

benj111 8y ago

So if I'm understanding this correctly, the IOC /WADA has one list of banned drugs regardless of sport and gender. To me it seems obvious that performance enhancing varies from sport to sport. Why did this not occur to the IOC/WADA ???

jlarocco 8y ago
I disagree. Most drugs on the list (maybe even all?) will increase physical performance across the board for all physical activity. Testosterone will bump up muscle production whether you're swimming, running, cycling, lifting, skiing, or whatever. This is just more evidence that Bridge doesn't belong in the Olympics, IMO.
- benj111 8y ago
  Example, there are banned drugs the open up the airways. Now if you're doing an endurance event then it is probably performance enhancing, if you're a curler or a diver, not so much. Then there are in between sports (that rely on skill as much as or more than physical strength) do you want a blanket ban on a drug some people may legitimately use just to prevent some one gaining an advantage? I would say possibly, but it should be evidence based, it shouldn't be done lightly. Further the drug testing regime isn't some casual, hand in a urine sample with your entry form. Its making yourself available at set times, just in case some one tests you, and then it's peeing in a cup in front of them.
  - Robin_Message 8y ago
    There are drugs that are banned in some sports but not others, e.g. beta-blockers. Source: built the UK drug database and peeing in a cup scheduling system around 2004.
    - benj111 8y ago
      Do you have any idea why Bridge would ban, what they admit is a non performance enhancing drug then? Is it because of the IOC links?

forgotmypw2 8y ago

I thought it was going to be a stimulant like adderall, which probably would give a bridge player a significant advantage.

BenMorganIO 8y ago

Well, I guess he burned that bridge XD

ydnaclementine 8y ago

related xkcd: https://xkcd.com/1173/ https://xkcd.com/1173/