The Elephant in the Room

Since the beginning of the season, I have had numerous conversations with with fellow athletes regarding the current state of drug use in the HG.  It seems that many people have an opinion about what, who, when, right, wrong, etc...  I want to take this opportunity to make a statement to the up and coming athletes of all levels in our beloved sport.  When I began in this sport in the mid 90's, the athletes of that time (R.V., AGunn, FBreb, PFer, KPauli, etc..) all expressed the same belief that performance enhancing drugs had no place in the HG.  This was reinforced with testing all over Scotland and numerous spots in the US.  If you were caught using drugs you were shunned and placed in exile.  Whether you agreed with the treatment or not, it certainly provided everyone with the clearly understood rule that drugs were not acceptable in this sport.  This didn't prevent everyone from using drugs, just as the death penalty doesn't prevent murder.  What it did do is send a clear message about expectation and acceptance.  Times certainly have changed.  The large majority of athletes I have spoken with agree that this expectation has become extremely blurry, at best.  Many of us believe there are individuals in our sport, who for some reason have decided to use drugs.  As I have stated, there have always been these people.  The problem as I see it, is that the lack of a clear expectation that drugs are not ok, clouds the issue for anyone in this sport without this background knowledge.  So, we have a sport that virtually doesn't drug test, other than the SGA and IHGF, no known expectation that we be CLEAN, and athletes who use the clause, "They all do it.  How else could they throw like that?".  This sets up the sport for people to do whatever they want and think that it is ok.  I would like to apologize to the "Legends" of the sport for being asleep at the wheel and not doing my part to set the record straight.  As a result, let me say this: Whether you make the personal choice to use drugs to compete in the HG is your decision but it is not ok or acceptable by the standards of those who have made this sport what it is today.  Nor is it acceptable to me.  We all have an obligation to set an example for our families and others.  People, big and small, admire us for what we do.  If you are currently using drugs and make a commitment to "get clean", I applaud you.  If you choose to continue using, do it without using other athletes as your justification.  Most of us have worked hard, drug free and accomplished a lot.  Know that life is much bigger than the HG, but all that you do now speaks to who you are and what you will become.  Some of you will be annoyed with this post and the texting and emails will begin to buzz, but if it truly bothers you, you need to question why????

HB3

Highland Games Athlete

PS: Steve C.- Please accept my apology for bringing this up during this time but it needed to be said. 

hbaileyIII wrote: We all know there are individuals in our sport, who for some reason have decided to use drugs.

I definitely do not KNOW this.  I must be rooming with the wrong athletes, lol.

Alan H wrote: "We're throwing rocks and sticks. Get over it."

Glad to see this support and outspokeness on the subject. Anyone confused or unclear on the issue has only to note that no sport approves illegal PEDs. Its a pretty clear sign that if you cant talk openly about doing it and it's illegal it shouldnt be done (or stay home and do it and stay out of the sport) Most people understand it dishonors youself, your competitors and the sport.

Also lack of vigorous enforcement doesnt not constitute endorsement.

Good post HBIII.

I felt guilty for using a belt when I lifted the Dinnie stones, I can't imagine how I'd feel on something stronger.

It's a hobby and a game. I trained with a crew that I always assumed was clean as I was clean. Then in talking with many of them I realized that I was one of the few that was clean. Some guys competed in PL, some in strongman and some didn't compete at all but still used. Even the weakest among us was using. It's a sad fact that there will always be people using for whatever reason. The common trend with them all was that it was okay, everyone did it, or it wasn't a big deal. Until people make it a big deal, those attitudes will continue. So, it's cool that someone of this stature speaks up.

Isn't this more of a money question? 

Duncan McCallum wrote: Isn't this more of a money question?

How so?

I figure if someone would spend their time and energy on eating right and focusing on what's best instead of trying to get away with using PED's they would have less stress and be more effective in their HG training. 

Rob,

What I mean is: Is this more a question about PED-abusers throwing bigger numbers as a result of better living through chemistry and, as a result, garnering invites to bigger Games with bigger payouts...?

Or, is it more of an appeal to the sportsmanship and honor of the participants in the face of a sport with little or no oversight from a singular governing body with some kind of enforcement authority?

I don't know if anyone here has heard of the mulitple world record holder powerlifter Dan Austin.  The guy is a little fire plug and is currently an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the Univ of So. Carolina. Before that he was the head S&C coach at my alma mater of Oklahoma State.

I was speaking with him on PED's in sports a few years back and his point of view which I adopted is that we compete in very obscure sports HG, PLing and Strongman why put your body at risk for something that is obscure. 

Enjoy the sport for what it is.  Be the best YOU can be.  That's why I don't lift in gear and use minimal equipment when lifting (wrist wraps and straps is about all I don't even use a belt)  I am a purist at heart if I can never throw the number that the pros or the top A's can so be it, it wasn't meant to be.  Not that I won't work hard and try. 

I got other stuff to spend my money on rather than spending it on trying to cheat the system. 

Craig I am sure this topic has been covered ad nauseam as you said above but it's good for conversation. 

Duncan I would rather be clean and have a clear conscious than get invited to one of the "TOP" games.  I'll go as a spectator and shag weights if I want to be involved If I have to.

But to each their own.  I don't judge.  If someone wants to use PED's so be it.  I have been lifting off and on. More off than on  since the late 80's and have seen the tell tale signs of what abusers look like.  So yeah there are juicer's out there.  I just like to see when a nutural throttles them in a game.