This is sad news.
In short USADA allowed dopers to keep racing if they spied for them. I’m sure some will think that’s right, and some will think it’s wrong. But it does mean clean athletes were made to race known dopers, whose identities will always be protected. As usual, it’s all athletes that lose.
Reuters story
https://www.reuters.com/sports/athletes-undercover-global-us-anti-doping-agencies-clash-over-tactics-2024-08-07/
USADA’s rebuttal:
Others will probably disagree with me, but this is a really horrible read. USADA have undermined the international anti doping effort in my view. Clean athletes have lost accolades, prize money and sponsorship to these known dopers. It’s disgraceful.
Why is this a surprise to anyone? USADA gave 6 month bans to people who admittedly doped a little more than 10 years ago now if they would roll over on Lance.
I’m all about anti doping, but that organization is complete trash.
Probably unrelated but there have definitely been some, errr, “surprising” results amongst US track and field athletes
Looks like another round in the recent pissing contest between WADA and USADA.
Snitches get trophies just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
Absolutely shameful and outrageous conduct by USADA.
I understand the need for getting cooperative witnesses in building cases, but this behavior is beyond the pale.
What are results do you find to be surprising?
Cole Hocker running a 3 second PB?
Not really all that surprising when you consider how the race was paced and his positioning. Add in peaking for an Olympic year and hike just starting to hit his prime. All three guys on the podiums had good PR’s
US national governing bodies have been covering up dopjng for the better part of the last half century. Unfortunately, this isn’t surprising. They need to name names.
Totally. It’s a such a worthless group.
That was down the the idiotic pacing from Ingebrigtsen more than anything else. Gave Cole and Kerr a free ride.
Like police informants? They’ve been watching too many Law & Order reruns. Sad, yes. But it’s also ridiculous and hilarious. What a joke.
Wonder if this is a good time to throw out my idea:
Point 1 has been debated over and over, I don’t believe it would be a level playing field because different people respond to PED’s (or any medication for that matter) in slightly different ways.
Personally I prefer option 2 BUT there does need to be the right of appeal because mistakes can happen.
The Paris track is fast and so far (in Track & Field) the races have mostly been fast from the start, rather than the cruise and kick strategy we have seen in the past. Combined with a fast track it is not surprising to see fast times.
That said… How many went under the Olympic record in the 10k? How many are running under Ben Johnson’s steroid powered 9.79? The Kenyans have been under scrutiny… and they are no longer dominating. There are no doubt generational talents… but it does make you wonder.
A free for all will kill sports and unfortunately the on the other side of it the temptation to cheat will always be there. I think we are just stuck with shadows, suspensions and excuses.
Ok. Good. 
Does it really need to be a level playing field? Professional wrestling (as in, WWE, WWF) is not a level playing field.
Right now, almost everyone I know personally who aren’t fans of these endurance sports, if I were to sit down and have an earnest conversation with them, would bet $$$$ that most athletes in any of the above sports are using PEDs. Some would go so far as to say the entire enterprise is a sham. They simply don’t understand why we as dedicated fans still debate it. And yet, they know nothing of the sport. We’re the laughing stock of the sporting world, sometimes. Did ppl really not think Salazar was doing Salazar things? At least in wrestling they just do it and entertain fans (of which I am not), but I respect the “not a real sport, so what” attitude they have.
To whom? This implies that you have a centralized governing body. Question (perhaps rhetorical): do you know why there isn’t a PED issue in the NFL? Because there is a central authority (the league) that determines what is and isn’t acceptable under the rules. Do I think players are still using PEDs in the NFL: you better believe they are. But not to the extent, or in a manner, that the front office feels the need to enforce, punish, etc. And they know (generally) what’s going on. A central authority gives you a level playing field and enforcement of rules (when needed) because they made up the rules. They are not beholden to governments, or a mishmash of so-called governing bodies that have budgets the size of a small law firm.
They are beholden to fans and revenue. Are these sports that we love so dearly simply not popular enough? Why can’t we fix this?
I can’t really be bothered to spend the time debating this tbh, you mentioned level playing field in the context of letting anything goes. I’ve given my reason why I don’t think it would be a level playing field. In terms of appeals there is a structure in place already for that to happen.
Have a great weekend.
Sorry @Malcolm my intention was not to debate you specifically. Or disagree. I actually agree with you!! 
edit: agree w/ original sentiment of the two points
I do want to continue the discussion though, so happy to redirect it.
My strategy for talking about it was to pose two extremes that frankly aren’t realistic. In the course of debating the pros and cons of those two extremes often the (usually complex) middle ground is found. Of course, we cannot solve this on a internet thread. But we can certainly discuss, learn, enlighten, debate…etc. Complexity is not internet friendly, but unfortunately this issue will not be resolved with a simple solution. Until they do something drastic we will be stuck with this for the foreseeable future. And that is the real disservice to athletes, way more than cheaters.
Bottom line: the current system is dysfunctional. There is neither proper enforcement, fair appeals, oversight, or level playing field.
No need to apologise.
This is directly from people who have played in the NFL… but they are given “ample notice” (often a week or more) when they will be drug tested and it is only in season.
Thing about the NFL is it isn’t just strength or endurance, it is skill and athleticism as well. You need to be able to catch as much as you are able to run and take a hit.