vonfram88
Active member
Lance Armstrongs fall from grace and the scalps it has claimed in Australian sports administration is likely to have some interesting knock on effects for the powerlifting fraternity in Australia. This is a personal view, taking into consideration the political scene and human behaviour.
Firstly, never underestimate the power of certain lobbyists in Australia. They exploit ignorance and within a short time frame bills get drafted and put before parliament.
The public fall from grace of certain sports administrators who had proximity to Armstrong will and I reiterate WILL give rise to some significant changes to the administration and operation of ASADA. It is also highly likely these changes will overlap with greater law enforcement, particularly in the areas of criminal possession and supply.
For many, this will serve as a deterrent and we will see some of the performance standards in sport go into stasis or even decline. That would be perhaps a positive outcome of any new regime.
When some changes to powerlifting in Australia happened in the early and mid 90's, the performance standards were obviously impacted. There was a period of adjustment where there seemed to be few outstanding performances and the lifting records remained intact for some time. A few sacred cows were not sacrificed during that period, however.
For other athletes and lifters, the only effect of stricter surveillance and enforcement will be to push the doping chain further underground. The untested organizations will continue for a period of time but it is possible the numbers of their members will decline. There may be moves by the untested organizations to align with ASADA, or defections by their members to organizations that are tested.
One or two sting operations and some well managed media coverage of this "evil pracitice" (managing perception here, I'm not taking a moral stance here) and we may even see extinction of some organisations.
So the next stage in evolution of the sport could see a mish mash of organisations, all managing their public image to conform with "community expectations" on sports doping. Augmented lifters will continue to lift for a period of time, but over time we may see many of them discretely taken out of the contest.
The lifting standards for the remaining organistations will go into decline. All members will hold up their WADA cards, recite the Lifter's Creed and carry on their efforts under a new regime.
Athletes will have to adapt.
And so will the pharmacy.
Firstly, never underestimate the power of certain lobbyists in Australia. They exploit ignorance and within a short time frame bills get drafted and put before parliament.
The public fall from grace of certain sports administrators who had proximity to Armstrong will and I reiterate WILL give rise to some significant changes to the administration and operation of ASADA. It is also highly likely these changes will overlap with greater law enforcement, particularly in the areas of criminal possession and supply.
For many, this will serve as a deterrent and we will see some of the performance standards in sport go into stasis or even decline. That would be perhaps a positive outcome of any new regime.
When some changes to powerlifting in Australia happened in the early and mid 90's, the performance standards were obviously impacted. There was a period of adjustment where there seemed to be few outstanding performances and the lifting records remained intact for some time. A few sacred cows were not sacrificed during that period, however.
For other athletes and lifters, the only effect of stricter surveillance and enforcement will be to push the doping chain further underground. The untested organizations will continue for a period of time but it is possible the numbers of their members will decline. There may be moves by the untested organizations to align with ASADA, or defections by their members to organizations that are tested.
One or two sting operations and some well managed media coverage of this "evil pracitice" (managing perception here, I'm not taking a moral stance here) and we may even see extinction of some organisations.
So the next stage in evolution of the sport could see a mish mash of organisations, all managing their public image to conform with "community expectations" on sports doping. Augmented lifters will continue to lift for a period of time, but over time we may see many of them discretely taken out of the contest.
The lifting standards for the remaining organistations will go into decline. All members will hold up their WADA cards, recite the Lifter's Creed and carry on their efforts under a new regime.
Athletes will have to adapt.
And so will the pharmacy.
