4 ms·

I want to see a documentary that is basically what Icarus was going to be before it turned into being about international politics: doping by “weekend warriors”

I want to see a documentary that is basically what Icarus was going to be before it turned into being about international politics: doping by “weekend warriors” in amateur sports. There is a lot of paranoia in the running community (for example) that even local municipal marathons are being won by amateurs doping (not to mention some people running with those Nike “Vaporfly” shoes with the carbon fiber plate in them.) I have my doubts about how effective it is at the amateur level. I suspect it’s like amateurs buying expensive golf clubs and golf balls hoping it will make them better when really they just need more practice and are skill limited rather than gear limited.

gadders 6y ago
At the tested amateur powerlifting federations, you do occasionally see people get popped after a urine test. EG: https://www.britishpowerlifting.org/news/drug-test-results https://www.britishpowerlifting.org/news/drug-test-results
- 1-more 6y ago
  What bugs me about this is that there is untested powerlifting with better prizes. Go compete there if you want to take PEDs!! Of all the sports PL is the most honest in that it has that outlet at least, but it of course varies by country. The steroids taboo in some countries might discourage the creation of untested federations. That could end up having the wrong effect of encouraging athletes on the fence about punching their natty card; they might stay in the tested federation while using PEDs.
  - gadders 6y ago
    It's completely stupid because all you will get is a trophy worth probably max ~£20 and some bragging rights. I could understand it more if it was for £100k prize money. Totally pointless.
threedots 6y ago
Depends on the sport. The uplift from PED usage in certain sports is obscene. I would guess that most top level amateurs in strength sports are doping or have doped, and traditional doping indicators (e.g. FFMI >25) suggest the same. There are fewer good indicators in endurance and skill sports to work with.
murph-almighty 6y ago
Jesus I just had this exact same thought. I wonder if that director ever considered retrying his original concept... With that said I think a lot of the pedantics of "but IS doping really happening in international sports" going on in this thread could be emphatically answered with "uh, yes" by simply watching _Icarus_.

gadders 6y ago

At the tested amateur powerlifting federations, you do occasionally see people get popped after a urine test. EG: https://www.britishpowerlifting.org/news/drug-test-results https://www.britishpowerlifting.org/news/drug-test-results

1-more 6y ago
What bugs me about this is that there is untested powerlifting with better prizes. Go compete there if you want to take PEDs!! Of all the sports PL is the most honest in that it has that outlet at least, but it of course varies by country. The steroids taboo in some countries might discourage the creation of untested federations. That could end up having the wrong effect of encouraging athletes on the fence about punching their natty card; they might stay in the tested federation while using PEDs.
- gadders 6y ago
  It's completely stupid because all you will get is a trophy worth probably max ~£20 and some bragging rights. I could understand it more if it was for £100k prize money. Totally pointless.

threedots 6y ago

Depends on the sport. The uplift from PED usage in certain sports is obscene. I would guess that most top level amateurs in strength sports are doping or have doped, and traditional doping indicators (e.g. FFMI >25) suggest the same. There are fewer good indicators in endurance and skill sports to work with.

murph-almighty 6y ago

Jesus I just had this exact same thought. I wonder if that director ever considered retrying his original concept... With that said I think a lot of the pedantics of "but IS doping really happening in international sports" going on in this thread could be emphatically answered with "uh, yes" by simply watching _Icarus_.