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Old 01-09-19, 03:13 AM
  #2275  
carleton
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Yeah, this is a weird one.

Let's rearrange the order of the paragraphs and it makes sense.

Situation 1:

“Grove, 90, tested positive for epitrenbolone, which is a metabolite of the prohibited substance trenbolone, as the result of an in-competition urine sample he provided on July 11th, 2018 after setting a world record at the Masters Track National Championships.
During Usada’s investigation into the circumstances of his case, Grove provided the agency with information which established that the source of his positive test was more likely than not caused by contaminated meat consumed the evening before competing on July 11th, 2018. Prior to consuming the meat, Grove had tested negative for prohibited substances during an in-competition test on July 10th, 2018.”
July 10: Set a world record. Get drug tested. Pass.

July 11: Set a world record. Get drug tested. Traces of epitrenbolone are present. Fail.

What happened between the July 10 test and the July 11 test? Steak Dinner.

That's unfortunate, but it happened. But, at least he has the July 10 sample as rock-solid proof that the ingestion happened between the July 10 test and the July 11 test.

I don't think steroids can work in less than 24 hours, so it stands to reason that he did get it from a nice steak dinner.


Situation 2:

Now...Here's what's messed up. During the investigation, it seems that he handed over whatever supplements he had at the house in a "full disclosure" kinda way...and they tested the stuff in the bottles and found clomiphene.

“While investigating the source of his positive test, it was also determined that a supplement Grove was using prior to July 11th, 2018 was contaminated with clomiphene.


So, in an effort to try to explain Situation 1, he digs a deeper hole and creates Situation 2.

Clomifene is sometimes used in the treatment of male hypogonadism as an alternative to testosterone replacement therapy. It has been found to increase testosterone levels by 2- to 2.5-fold in hypogonadal men.
- Wikipedia

Situation 2 sounds like some tainted "Be Awesome" stack from a supplement store.

It's well-known that supplement makers will add stuff like this to pre-made "stacks" in order to boost gains. They will list innocuous things on the label and add real stuff inside to boost gains (and chatter about the product). It's a weird and effed-up game.

There is a Frontline documentary about this that every athlete (at any level) should watch: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/f...ts-and-safety/

What 91 year old Grove has going for him is:
- He's 91. Who the hell cheats at age 91 when you are usually the only person in your age group.
- He was the only person in his age group in all 3 events at Nationals
- He took tests back to back. Passed #1, ate dinner, failed #2. He can probably provide a receipt from the steak dinner if needed.
- (I assume that) he has a bottle of a supplement that contains Clomifene that does not list it in the ingredients on the label.

This explains the slap on the wrist warning.

Here's the real kicker...what if an elite or "fast master" were in a similar situation? They may not get the benefit of the doubt.
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