Re: t-and-f: Status of Felix 22.11 as WJR? Word Youth Records?
Do these fit the world best category and sidestep world record? Roger Ruth wrote: Earlier today, Karl Steinhoff made a very good point and raised an interesting question, writing: Also, I notice in this year's ATFS Annual that the records section contains a new category - World Youth (under 18) records. Are these officially recognized by the IAAF? If so, do they require the same testing regimen as other records? It would seem that athletes this age are more likely to compete in meets without a testing protocol, and so we would find more records disallowed. How appropriate is it to require drug testing as a condition of record ratification, when the nature of competition for the U18 group is such that many (probably most) meets in which they are involved will not provide that testing? Would the solution be to recognize that circumstance and *not* require testing for record ratification? Is there any database available that would show how frequently all under-18 athletes who were tested have been found to have used banned substances? For now, the best source I have available for approaching an answer to that question is the one-year data provided in Peter Matthews' 2003 edition of the ATFS Athletics Annual. There, he lists the athletes suspended by the IAAF for drug violations in 1992. The youngest (of 17) men in that list were 23 years old at the time of the suspension. The youngest woman (of 17) was 22 years old. The ages of athletes who have been suspended seem to center around 30 for the men and 25 for the women. Let me propose a theory about age/ranking and drug enhancement: It is that athletes do not resort to drugs during the years when they are improving their accomplishments, but only when they fail to meet their expectations (or that of their coaches/sponsors) or begin to decline in their performances. If that is correct, there may be no need for drug testing of younger athletes. Cheers, Roger
t-and-f: Status of Felix 22.11 as WJR? Word Youth Records?
A few months back, a story ran in the LA Times that Felix's 22.11 could not be accepted as a WJR because she wasn't tested. Since then, I've not seen this mentioned in TFN or anywhere else. Is the record going to be submitted to the IAAF? Will it be considered for AJR status? Also, I notice in this year's ATFS Annual that the records section contains a new category - World Youth (under 18) records. Are these officially recognized by the IAAF? If so, do they require the same testing regimen as other records? It would seem that athletes this age are more likely to compete in meets without a testing protocol, and so we would find more records disallowed. Interested in any information here. NKES Need a new email address that people can remember Check out the new EudoraMail at http://www.eudoramail.com
Re: t-and-f: Status of Felix 22.11 as WJR? Word Youth Records?
I believe TFN mentioned this last month, and said the 22.11 won't stand. Lee A few months back, a story ran in the LA Times that Felix's 22.11 could not be accepted as a WJR because she wasn't tested. Since then, I've not seen this mentioned in TFN or anywhere else. Is the record going to be submitted to the IAAF? Will it be considered for AJR status? Also, I notice in this year's ATFS Annual that the records section contains a new category - World Youth (under 18) records. Are these officially recognized by the IAAF? If so, do they require the same testing regimen as other records? It would seem that athletes this age are more likely to compete in meets without a testing protocol, and so we would find more records disallowed. Interested in any information here. NKES Need a new email address that people can remember Check out the new EudoraMail at http://www.eudoramail.com -- Lee Nichols Assistant News Editor The Austin Chronicle 512/454-5766, ext. 138 fax 512/458-6910 http://austinchronicle.com
Re: t-and-f: Status of Felix 22.11 as WJR? Word Youth Records?
Earlier today, Karl Steinhoff made a very good point and raised an interesting question, writing: Also, I notice in this year's ATFS Annual that the records section contains a new category - World Youth (under 18) records. Are these officially recognized by the IAAF? If so, do they require the same testing regimen as other records? It would seem that athletes this age are more likely to compete in meets without a testing protocol, and so we would find more records disallowed. How appropriate is it to require drug testing as a condition of record ratification, when the nature of competition for the U18 group is such that many (probably most) meets in which they are involved will not provide that testing? Would the solution be to recognize that circumstance and *not* require testing for record ratification? Is there any database available that would show how frequently all under-18 athletes who were tested have been found to have used banned substances? For now, the best source I have available for approaching an answer to that question is the one-year data provided in Peter Matthews' 2003 edition of the ATFS Athletics Annual. There, he lists the athletes suspended by the IAAF for drug violations in 1992. The youngest (of 17) men in that list were 23 years old at the time of the suspension. The youngest woman (of 17) was 22 years old. The ages of athletes who have been suspended seem to center around 30 for the men and 25 for the women. Let me propose a theory about age/ranking and drug enhancement: It is that athletes do not resort to drugs during the years when they are improving their accomplishments, but only when they fail to meet their expectations (or that of their coaches/sponsors) or begin to decline in their performances. If that is correct, there may be no need for drug testing of younger athletes. Cheers, Roger
