http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=2539409 This really sucks, my friend had his stage 17 on tivo because it was so inspiring.
This is in no way a defense of Landis but... the B sample being positive only proves (mostly proves?) that the test of the A sample wasn't flawed. It does not necessarily mean that Landis used artificial testosterone, etc... When they draw blood they take that one sample and devide it into two samples (an A sample and a B sample). They test the A sample and, if it comes back positive, they test the B sample to ensure that there was nothing wrong with the test. If the B sample comes up negative then the assumption is that something went wrong with the test of the A sample. Landis says that the elevated Testosterone is natural. He never claimed that he didn't have an elevated level of Testosterone so it makes sense that the B sample would come up positive as well. They are not disputing the presence of testosterone; they are disputing how it got into his system. According to the rules, however, if the B sample comes up positive they can strip him of his victory. It is now up to Landis to appeal and prove that his elevated Testosterone is natural. If he can do that he'll keep the victory. We'll see...
I don't believe exogenous testosterone stays in the system long, so he should just agree to stay in a clinic for x days to monitor his levels.
chase, the first sample had synthetic testosterone. landis saying he has naturally elevated levels of testosterone is about as dumb as when he said it could have been the jack he drank. I know you aren't defending him, but landis cheated. the sport is dirty. there are no more explanations.
They found synthetic testoterone in his body, but he said it was natural. I hate a cheater but I hate a lying cheater more. Come to think of it, I hate a stupid lying cheater even more.
Why get on my case? All I was doing was explaining the significance of the B sample (and how it has no bearing on the defence that Landis said he would mount). Why are YOU so sensitive about this that would cause you to be rude to someone you don't know about something that I didn't even comment on?
I thought there was a disparity in his testosterone levels, not presence of synthetics. What I don't understand is by all accounts injecting testosterone wouldn't have helped him and wouldn't explain his recovery and tremendous win in stage 17. So why would he inject it?
^ My understanding is that the test have shown some of the testosterone in his sample to be synthetic. I don't know enough about how they determine its synthetic but that would counter the argument that its natural and he just has higher testosterone levels. Also my understanding is the levels in his system are way way above normal levels and almost three times higher than what is allowed according to the rules which is four times the norm. Also I don't think that the testosterone was injected but likely administered through a patch. The benefits of having more testosterone would be faster muscle recovery and repair and there might be other benefits like increased aggresion and drive.
Well, I thought there was another thread, but hey, another post opportunity... What an idiot if he did do this...Part of me thinks its a conspiracy, but you got to believe Landis knew he would be randomly tested right? Did he get tested after the race? What about those samples...
Actually the test wasn't even random. Every stage winner is tested. You cross the line and march almost straight into the trailer to deliver a sample.
sorry if it sounded like I was getting on you. I figured the part when I said 'i know you aren't defending him, but...' would be enough to let you know that I wasn't attacking you. and hayes...i posted a link in the other thread about the synthetic steroid report.
