In the wake of a Chinese doping scandal, Michael Phelps doubled down Monday on his support for tougher sanctions — including a lifetime ban for anyone who tests positive for a banned substance.

“If you test positive, you should never be allowed to come back and compete again, cut and dry,” Phelps said. “I believe one and done.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency and World Aquatics have acknowledged that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The results were not made public until media reports surfaced this year, with both bodies accepting the Chinese explanation that the positive tests were caused by tainted food.

Nine of those swimmers won medals - several as part of relay teams - n Paris, leading British star Adam Peaty to gripe that the playing field was not even.

  • dohpaz42@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Isn’t the idea of banning doping in the Olympics to deal with people using banned substances while actively competing? That is to say, even though Phelps uses weed, has he tested positive during an active competition for being on weed (or any other substance)?

    What competitors do in their off time is fine as far as I’m concerned. But if they’re using right before or during actively competing, then I can see where it’s a problem. No?

    • superkret@feddit.org
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      3 months ago

      Athletes who compete on an international level don’t have off time.
      They’re training year-round, and there’s a lot of performance enhancing drugs that speed up recovery during the training season. Faster recovery gives the athlete more time to train, which enhances their performance during competition.

      • dohpaz42@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        You do realize that no one can work literally all the time without time off, right? Olympians are super athletes, but they’re not superhuman.

        • superkret@feddit.org
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          3 months ago

          You do realize there are millions of people who train for their sport all year long? I’m one of them.

        • lone_faerie@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          3 months ago

          Ok, so he goes home at night, smokes a joint before bed, and is back in the gym the next day. Working year-round doesn’t mean you have zero free time.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      In February 2009, a photograph of Phelps using a bong went viral; this resulted in the loss of Kellogg’s as a sponsor, as well as a three-month suspension by USA Swimming. Phelps admitted that the photo, which was taken at a party at the University of South Carolina, was authentic. He publicly apologized, calling his behavior “inappropriate”.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Phelps#Legal_issues

      USA Swimming is who selects people for the Olympics.

      • dohpaz42@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        With all due respect, you are conflating what somebody does in their personal time with doing something to cheat in a sporting event (the topic at hand). Despite Phelps having made some poor social and legal choices, his stance on zero-tolerance to doping in sporting events is no less relevant. What you’re suggesting is a red herring.

        • lone_faerie@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          3 months ago

          Literally Sha’Carri Richardson was banned from competing in the Tokyo Olympics by the US Anti-Doping Agency because she smoked weed to help cope with the death of her mother. You’re making a big deal arguing that something that really does actually happen doesn’t for some reason.

        • DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social
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          3 months ago

          His choices were only poor because there are cooler drugs to do that don’t harm your lungs and heart.

          You need your lungs and heart, Phelps! Cardio is literally your career!

          • njm1314@lemmy.world
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            3 months ago

            He won 28 Olympic medals. He’s the most decorated Olympian of all time. I think his career was fine. But no random internet person tell us more about what Michael Phelps should have done to be a better swimmer. LOL.