Doping a big issue in triathlon too?

Ever hear of Nina Kraft?

My theory is that it is driven by money/endorsements.  Not as much money curently in triathlon as other sports like baseball, cycling or track & field, etc., so not as much doping going on, but I would imagine it's still there to some degree if you look hard enough. 

For the record, my doping takes place after the event with a nice Merlot or an occasional Michelob Ultra. 

Mark

You don't understand much about doping then.  I would seriously doubt that the AG ranks are 'clean'.

I certainly don't know that there's a 'whole lot' (certainly hope not), but I'm pretty sure they're out there.  It's not really that hard to do if you were so inclined and had the money (which many triathletes do).

The pros are tested and other big names have been in the spotlight in recent memory - Rutger Beke spent a couple of years clearing his name recently. A Chinese women's olympic athlete was banned for doping recently as well - quite a few triathletes, although not in the numbers you hear associated with cycling. Just google "doping" and "triathlete" and you'll see the tip of the iceberg. For pros, the reward vs risk is low, since salaries are pathetic and really, only the Kona, Clearwater and world cup champions tap into sponsorship contracts that are large enough to be able to support them.

Honestly, I think it's in the competetive AG'ers where the most doping occurs; little chance of being caught and for those racing, the rewards are high, at least in their eyes.  As someone else stated, many top AGers have the financial means to train as much or more than some pros do, have the same high-level coaching, sponsors, but essentially investing their own money and time into getting to Kona. We're talking very, very driven people.

I don't doubt there might be some AGers dumb enough to spend $$ and risk health issues to win a cheap medal and a container of Heed but IMO the number is not that big nor representative of the sport competitive AGers. many FOP are fast cuz of good genetics and LOTS of training...

I would agree for the most part....but you hear whispers about people every now and again....I wouldn't say they are doing it for the cheap medal and the bottle of HEED but more so for the ego boost that it gives them and how they are revered by their friends and collegues.

For the most part I don't really think its a huge problem although I don't doubt that if you tested the winners of each AG at some major races there would be a few "hot" tests.

I don't think I was clear in what I said....what I intended to say was if you tested every AG winner at every sanctioned race accross the country then you would probably get a few hot tests, for the most part though I believe that triathletes aren't dirty.

It may be the same percentage. How many guys got busted out of the Tour? was it 3 or 4? How many started? 180  There's your percentage- maybe 2-3%. There may be more than that, but guess what? They aren't winning the stages. So how much did it really help them individually? A re-up on their contract perhaps. Not even that if the sponsor decides to move on next year. Then they're scrambling like all the rest. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't risk my career just to be somebody else's domestique. But then my livlihood never depended on top notch physical performance.

 Ricardo Ricco won two stages....and even if they aren't winning stages if they can close a break or pull their leader a little bit farther up the mountain then it does matter.

This is what I hear a lot from most people on this issue.  They "believe" that AG triathlon is clean.  I tend to agree, but wouldn't be the least bit surprised to learn differently.  Just because it's a hobby for most people with no financial gain doesn't mean cheating won't occur.

Think about the guys in the weight room juiced up on steroids.  Most of them don't even compete in anything, yet they'll spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on drugs to satisfy their egos.  For Type A triathletes, the drive to improve could easily lead down that road. 

I would like to see random testing at bigger races for age groupers.  As the sport grows there need to be systems in place to ensure it maintains its credibility. 

Sure, I don't doubt there are more than a few dirty AGers but the percentage IMO must be pretty small. The reason I say this is because I've trained at one point or another with some of the fastest AGers (or Pros) around New England; those who win most local races, those who place very high or win most competitive races in the area (IMLP, Timberman, Mooseman, etc) and those who finished at the top of the USAT Rankings both regional and national.

I've spent weekends away training and just tearing each others legs apart I guess it could be easy to assume regular AGers with jobs and families can't be that fast but genetics aside (which play a big role) these guys are fast cuz they are the ones who train the most. They are motivated enough to train more consistently; they also have the experience to back off when pain and aches are lurking and press through when mental motivation is an issue. They are very disciplined; they are the 1st in the pool early AM, watch what they eat and are the onese going to bed at 9-10pm. IOW they do the work week after week and don't sweat the details, they JFT.

Of course, any of them could get some extra ilegal thing to help, I just find it hard to believe and definitely I don't see it as some chronic problem in the sport. Maybe I am very naive or just lucky to be able to spend time with guys how work their tails off, have fun pushing each others bodies and enjoy the tri lifestyle a lot.

well I asked because I've heard this kind of statements before coming from people who either a) haven't done the training anywhere near of what their bodies can adapt in order to produce solid results b) don't have much first hand experience training with pro/top AGers or c) just Not suggesting you are in any of those camps, but it is kind of ironic to think that just because someone is faster than you they must be on something.