The Sanctions Thread

[Hawkpeter]

Wow, some of the facts here are very interesting, and some of the conjecture is absolutely wild.

[erpel]

Or maybe he just took EPO.

[strapping]

Wow, some of the facts here are very interesting, and some of the conjecture is absolutely wild.

Or maybe he just took EPO.

I think this is the most likely scenario (Hanlon's razor); and also the most likely legal outcome even if the conspiracy was true.

I did watch the video and regardless of whether the ITA sent direct testers or a subcontracted agent, doesn't make a difference in that this is legally an ITA test.

Unless there is impeccable evidence that Xiaojun was framed, I don't see how an argument can be made for the removal of his sanction, especially not in a timeframe that would enable his participation in appropriate qualifying events.

The other (perhaps overly cynical) aspect is that the CAS and ITA/WADA are both children of the IOC, so anyone going against IOC children (or the IOC itself) in their playground is going to have a hard time. Great arguments and evidence will not be enough, there would need to be something absolutely damning. Either that, or the usual backdoor stuff with the International Olympic Crooks Committee.

Additionally, the video was posted by an employee of Lu Xiaojun's company (and former CCTV employee). This isn't an accusation of Yilin Yang or criticism of his character - I don't really know the guy having interacted with him minimally. Just pointing out the potential conflicts of interest and one that he loosely acknowledges in the video.

Not relating to Xiaojun, it is interesting to hear about the shadiness around Liao Hui's situation. The rumours were obviously present at the time and it's certainly interesting to hear it again in a bit more detail, from someone who may know a bit more.

[Hawkpeter]

No doubt some facts are missing in this article to really understand how this ruling was made.

https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles ... znEDKowEog

I feel like if I were Mr Korany, and I were innocent, I would still want it said publicly that the doping of teenage girls is an extremely heinous act to happen and that I would want to make sure those responsible are brought to justice- but that's just me.

[Hawkpeter]

Right on cue, Mr Oliver provides the follow up.

https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles ... 2PAf1i9h6U

Makes sense, the demand for a head on a stick has created onion layers of further issues whilst justice has not been served appropriately for those with greater responsibility.

[erpel]

Apparently Igor Son was suspended for 8 years by KAZ anti doping agency.

https://vesti.kz/heavyathl/dopingovyiy- ... na-323337/

[Hawkpeter]

The number of medalists from Tokyo is starting to mount. At the time, it was heralded as a very clean event, and technically it might have been - but since then those same medalists have been getting caught. 8 year ban too, I'm not sure what to make of that.

[erpel]

Eight years because it was his second suspension after 2015.

[Hawkpeter]

So an interesting thing happened yesterday - Australian 800m runner Peter Bol, who earlier this year was provisionally banned when his A sample was found to be positive for exogenous EPO, and then had his B sample tested which came back negative, tabled the findings of an investigation by his legal team.



It is alleged that this is a false positive caused from improper lab methodology. It got me thinking, I wonder if this would explain the Lu Xiaojun positive? It still seems like an extremely odd positive test and EPO testing around the world may require another look to determine accuracy.

[erpel]

Is there a correlation between endurance athletes and high endogenous EPO?

(it wouldn't necessarily explain Lyu though)