Active Now

my2cents
Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » Do athletes who make shocking comebacks get tested for drugs after the surprise win?
RosieG

Do athletes who make shocking comebacks get tested for drugs after the surprise win?

Ya got this guy who is losing very badly, running out of energy who takes a five minute break, leaves the play, comes back and makes a MIRACULOUS RECOVERY and goes on to win.

I am suspicious and think such MIRACULOUS recoveries ought to be tested. Do you?

Posted - February 2, 2020
Tags : None

Responses


  • 17151
    Often they do. Not always.
      February 2, 2020 7:45 AM MST
    1

  • 113301
    Didja watch Djokovic and Thiem today R? That's why I asked the question. Thank you for your reply and Happy Sunday/Monday to you! :) How is your country vis a vis the bushfires?
      February 2, 2020 8:19 AM MST
    0

  • 17151
    Most of the fires, except those in the southern highlands and NSW south coast, are out. The others are reportedly under control and are expected to be extinguished soon - they got a lucky break with weather, also in many places the fires simply ran out of fuel.

    I didn't watch much of the tennis, tbh - I spent most of the second week in hospital, doped to the eyeballs, and although hospital treatment in Australia is free, access to television in hospital isn't. This post was edited by Slartibartfast at February 5, 2020 1:09 AM MST
      February 4, 2020 6:36 PM MST
    1

  • 113301
    Why R? WHAT HAPPENED? Are you okay now? Geez I'm sorry to hear that. I just thought you were taking a break from the mug. Some really superduper tennis was played. Some shockers too. Well glad to see you here. Thank you for your reply and Happy Wednesday m'dear! :)
      February 5, 2020 1:11 AM MST
    0

  • 17151
    I was barbecuing dinner on 26th January (Australia Day, it's what we do) and Maureen put a can of canola oil spray on the shelf beside the grill. Far enough away not to be affected by the heat, we both thought. Wrongly. I noticed condensation forming on the outside of the can and decided to move it further away - and as I did it exploded in my hand, taking part of my thumb with it. Second degree burns to the hand and forearm, severe bruising same, compound fracture of the right thumb and I'm right handed. The hand is still in a cast, the thumb is still badly swollen and I have to visit the plastic surgeons again tomorrow - the fleshy part of the ball of the thumb is practically jello, a mess. I'm on enforced leave from work until I can use the hand again.
      February 9, 2020 4:11 AM MST
    1

  • 113301
    Oh my dear I am so very very sorry. I've kinda worried about you wondering why you've been absent. Not your usual MO. I thought maybe it was either due to a very bad cold or you just needed a break from the mug. I wish. This is a perfect place/time to get a do-over/mulligan but of course that is not going to happen. The pain must have been unbearable for you. Can a thumb be rebuilt? Are you on pain meds? I guess typing is an ordeal too. No one else was hurt by the bits and pieces of can flying through the air I hope. Do you have disability insurance in Australia R or does your company provide something like that so you don't suffer too badly financially? Sorry for all the questions. Answer some or none as you prefer. Again I am so very sorry. Silence for an extended period never bodes well. SIGH. Thank you for your reply and Happy Sunday/Monday. The rest of the family is doing just fine? Double sigh. :) This post was edited by RosieG at February 9, 2020 4:24 AM MST
      February 9, 2020 4:20 AM MST
    0

  • 17151
    A thumb can be rebuilt, at the moment it serms that may not be necessary but the possibility is there, hence the visit to plastics. I'm on pain meds, Targin 10mg twice daily - controlled release oxycodone/naloxone, the latter tends to counter some of the side-effects of opioids. I'm typing left-handed on the tablet, no huhu. The can blew cleanly, the top becoming embedded in the roof of the veranda, the bottom going straight down - no shrapnel. The company carries disability insurance, it's part of my salary package - I'm not badly hurt financially unless I'm away for more than ten weeks. I should be good to go in less than half that. I lose late shift loading and any overtime is all.
      February 9, 2020 4:45 AM MST
    1

  • 113301
    I'm going to be indelicate here R because we are long-time pals. Pain meds always constipate me. I hope they don't do the same to you. Now setting that aside I guess you were very lucky. I mean you could have been blinded or possibly lost your entire hand. Had you not reached out to move it would the explosion have been benign and not hit/hurt anyone or is that an unknown? Anyway hope you heal soon and well and can get off those pain meds ASAP. That was a pretty severe way to learn a lesson but all things considered it could have been so much worse. Thank you for providing us with more details. Meanwhile you got tons of rain and now your fires are all out I hope? Here's looking at you kid! :)
      February 9, 2020 5:09 AM MST
    0

  • 17151
    The naloxone helps to alleviate the constipation that is a common side-effect of opioids. Had I not moved the can, it may well have exploded where it was, quite possibly setting the gas cylinder off. Had that exploded, I'd not be writing this. Lesson learned, leave the oil spray indoors and use bottled oil/fat/lard to grease the grill plate.
      February 9, 2020 6:55 PM MST
    1

  • 113301
    That was a VERY TOUGH way to learn that lesson R. Oh thanks for the Coober Pedy info. I Googled it and wow! I asked a question about it. I am more than glad that you are here to share that experience. It could have gone so much worse. You know what exploded when I was a kid? My mom was cooking something in a PRESSURE COOKER in the kitchen. We heard a huge KABOOM! Rushed in and the pressure cooker vent apparently had stuck shut and it exploded! The kitchen was a mess! Food splattered all over the ceiling walls floor! That is why I never was interested in using a pressure cooker! I mean what if someone had been in the kitchen during the explosion? Thank you for your reply R! :)
      February 10, 2020 2:32 AM MST
    0

  • 1152
    Most major sports have various forms of random drug testing, so one would hope participants who are using will eventually get caught (although the discovery and creation of new performance-enhancing drugs versus finding tests to detect them is an ongoing cat-and-mouse game).

    Basing testing on "miracle comebacks" would be difficult because one has to operationalize (i.e. come up with a useful consistent definition) what constitutes a "miracle comeback." I'm not sure that's possible.


      February 2, 2020 8:02 AM MST
    0

  • 113301
    Djokovic won set #1. Lost sets #2 and #3 and looked skitzy in the first part of #4. He calls for a med break. Then later he LEAVES THE COURT for about 5 minutes. We don't know why. He comes back is all peppy and skippy dippy pippy and wins set #4 forcing it to set number 5 where he comes out cranking it and breaks Thiem and wins it. Now mebbe that "burst of energy" was legal and real but I am very suspicious. I believe he will do anything to win including cheat. I could be dead wrong. I just never saw anything like that before. He was beat dead dragging his butt and set #4 looked as if it would be the last set cuz he was energyless and hurting. THEN MIRACLE HAPPENS. Maybe miracles happen. Thank you for your reply SP! :) This post was edited by RosieG at February 2, 2020 9:03 AM MST
      February 2, 2020 8:24 AM MST
    0

  • 1152
    Let me posit two possible scenarios that don't involve Bolivian Marching Powder.

    1) Djokoivc was severely dehydrated and/or suffering from low blood sugar. He takes a 5-minute break, pounds a glucose gel and a bottle of water, and he's good to go.

    2) Djokovic had a joint or muscle issue which was inhibiting his performance. He takes a 5-minute break, his training staff massages the muscle or does a chiropractic adjustment, and he's good to go.

    Or how about the following scenario which illustrates another sticky aspect of this subject?...

    3) Djokovic has been diagnosed with asthma and he's having an attack during sets #2 and #3. Finally, he can't take it anymore, he takes a 5 minute break, he takes a couple puffs of his asthma inhaler, and he's good to go.

    Note that some asthma treatment drugs contain ingredients similar to anabolic steroids and/or adrenaline.


    So, in the above scenarios, did Djokovic "cheat?"  I don't know that the answer is very clear. In scenarios 1) and 2) I think our intuition is such treatment is acceptable, while #3 seems more sketchy. Yet one can argue Djokovic should be forced to compete "as is" and treating his dehydration, or migraine, or asthma is "performance enhancing."

    This has been an ongoing discussion in sports almost since sports (as a professional endeavor) have existed.


      February 2, 2020 8:41 AM MST
    1

  • 113301
    Thank you for your lengthy and EXHAUSTIVE reply SP...which is very much appreciated. ((hugs)). Of course any one of those scenarios could be true but why go off court to do it behind closed doors? That's what bugs me. They take quick breaks...a sip of some liquid..change rackets...eat a banana. ON THE COURT in full view. This other? Just looks guilty of something he doesn't want anyone to witness. I guess we will never know. No one seemed to have a problem with it. I guess I'm just overly ticked because I wanted Thiem to win (not a fan of Djokovic but Jim likes him) so perhaps my view is based on partisanship? NAW! That couldn't possibly be it could it? :) This post was edited by RosieG at February 2, 2020 9:01 AM MST
      February 2, 2020 9:01 AM MST
    0

  • 1152
    I do agree the lack of oversight is troubling. Perhaps as a compromise, one or two governing officials can observe as the athlete is being treated?

    That might be a better solution since treatment of athletes in intense competition can sometimes involve unpleasant scenarios featuring bodily fluids and/or contents of the digestive system.
      February 2, 2020 9:07 AM MST
    1

  • 113301
    That seems very sensible to me and surely the athletes ought not object. As for the bodily fluids thingy? I hadn't thought of that! Thank you for your reply and Happy Wednesday to thee SP! :)
      February 5, 2020 1:13 AM MST
    0