Reply to: Case Of Bad Loser ?

[The Spartan]

I see what you're saying especially about a clear and level playing field, I suppose the point I was trying to make is that people use technology to cheat in regular sport to the example of PED was used because the tests they currently have will not detect new forms of PED's which is why they're now keeping samples for 7 years in the hoping testing will catch up with said technology. Specific example THG and Dwain chambers

[northernladuk]

Yes. I'm not saying that an unfair advantage gained through technology shouldn't be banned, but that there is, IMO, a big difference between that and the use of PED's.

Sepp Blatter, even though he is a numpty of the highest order, always beleived that there should be very little difference between playing football at the highest level, and the lowest. I quite like that philosophy. Make it a level playing field (as near as can be), for all athletes whatever your level.

It is a good philosophy if kept in the spirit of what he was saying which at top level often falls by the wayside. Those swimsuits gave a noticeable performance boost. I can't remember if it was on wikipedia or something but there is clear evidence about the number of wins in the suit and the times done in them compared to now. The same was said for Chris Boardmans bikes. I thought something might kick up when it was mentioned that the GB mens sprint wheelchairs were technological marvels.

Just very hard to judge what technology is allowable when it is technology that is allowing the competitors to even walk let alone run in the paralypics. You can see the fuss it kicks up when someone dare point it out.

There will always be something about one piece of kit better than the other but I guess you have to just draw the line under where that becomes cheating. If that suit that gives .000001% increase is available to all and he doesn't have a habit of winning by that much then you just gotta drop it. If he comes out in a one off rubber suit giving him 5% advantage then there is a problem.

Now what you do when the UK is using very expensive one off sprintchairs and the guy from Djibouti has a cast iron job I have no idea.

[TheBigD]

Didn't they ban those swimsuits that were designed to create less drag when swimming?

Yes. I'm not saying that an unfair advantage gained through technology shouldn't be banned, but that there is, IMO, a big difference between that and the use of PED's.

Sepp Blatter, even though he is a numpty of the highest order, always beleived that there should be very little difference between playing football at the highest level, and the lowest. I quite like that philosophy. Make it a level playing field (as near as can be), for all athletes whatever your level.

[Spacecadet]

F1 cars cannot be any weight you want - they have a lower limit too so although a lighter driver gives you some options with positioning of weight in the car, the benefit is relatively small.
Unlike karts where it makes a huge difference in comparision with the weight of the vehicle and of course jockeys and hosses.

F1 cars are weighed with the driver and the combination of both must be within the guidelines.

[moggy]

Didn't they ban those swimsuits that were designed to create less drag when swimming?

Yes I think they did.

[The Spartan]

Hmmm, not really IMO. I would equate it more to the use of technology in sport.

If Ussain Bolt wears a pair of trainers that increase his performance by 0.0001% (eg. they'r elighter and made of some fab new material), which turns out to be the margin he wins gold by at the next Olympics, is he cheating?

Didn't they ban those swimsuits that were designed to create less drag when swimming?

[moggy]

Hmmm, not really IMO. I would equate it more to the use of technology in sport.

If Ussain Bolt wears a pair of trainers that increase his performance by 0.0001% (eg. they'r elighter and made of some fab new material), which turns out to be the margin he wins gold by at the next Olympics, is he cheating?

No, but if he wears a fake chest rug that means he crosses the line before the gun has even gone off he is.

[TheBigD]

Just like the issue of performance enhancing drugs in regular sport

Hmmm, not really IMO. I would equate it more to the use of technology in sport.

If Ussain Bolt wears a pair of trainers that increase his performance by 0.0001% (eg. they'r elighter and made of some fab new material), which turns out to be the margin he wins gold by at the next Olympics, is he cheating?

[The Spartan]

No , I think that is potentially an issue here, if you can increase your stride by increasing the length of your blade then that is unfair.

Its needs to be looked at IMHO.

Just like the issue of performance enhancing drugs in regular sport

[lukemg]

F1 cars cannot be any weight you want - they have a lower limit too so although a lighter driver gives you some options with positioning of weight in the car, the benefit is relatively small.
Unlike karts where it makes a huge difference in comparision with the weight of the vehicle and of course jockeys and hosses.

[d000hg]

F1 does still require quite a lot of physical strength/conditioning though, you are undergoing 5G and also are using your physical strength for steering/brakes rather than having them servo assisted.

There was that female F1 test driver in the news quite recently (who was blinded in an accident). I'd expect if a top-notch female driver came along (there are in other disciplines) it would be a massive advertising deal for the team.

[northernladuk]

Never raced anything more than go-karts myself, but I've never understood why more females are nearer the top of F1 or other motor racing. Surely they have a weight advantage?

Like most gender dominated sports it just doesn't appeal to the other gender so the percentage of intakes of one gender is much less therfore chances of hitting top spot are also less. I would hope it was just a matter of odds rather than any particular reason for exclusion.

Not sure using the term normal olympics is particularly good though.

You are quite right pointing this out. I could have worded this much better.

[moggy]

Strictly speaking I think it is correct. Normal, paranormal.

Olympics

Paralympics - as in parallel

[fckvwls]

, particularly in sports where size and strength are not an issue.

Never raced anything more than go-karts myself, but I've never understood why more females are nearer the top of F1 or other motor racing. Surely they have a weight advantage?

[Doggy Styles]

To be fair I have no problem if women want to compete against men, particularly in sports where size and strength are not an issue.

Not sure using the term normal olympics is particularly good though.

Strictly speaking I think it is correct. Normal, paranormal.