Who should be allowed to start? Discussion about new WTC rules.

Who should be allowed to Start?

As some of you may know, there has been a new rule passed by the WTC that all pro athletes must pay a registration fee of 750 dollars and be enrolled in an anti-doping program.  This seems to be a hot topic at the moment so I thought I would give my viewpoint on the whole thing.

I don’t mind paying for the membership fees–it ends up saving me money in the long run.  The new anti-doping program is supposed to be in effect starting February 1, 2010–but hold on, that date has already passed.  Does anyone know how many pro athletes have signed up for it?  Are those the only ones getting tested by random drug controls?
Is everyone filling out there whereabouts these days?

Some rules, such as those that say that athletes have to be signed up in the program at least three months prior to the next race, no matter if Ironman 70.3 or Ironman and at least 6 months prior to Championships events–are only fair to the public and to those athletes who have been disclosing their whereabouts for several years now.

I just read today that the Open US Ironman 70.3 Championships will only allow athletes to race if they are signed up for the whereabouts.  That does sound good in theory but it doesn’t guarantee anything–make it a few months prior to that date because the athletes that finish in the top places will be tested on race day regardless.

I am just dreading what might happen as the deadline to sign up for the WTC wherabouts has already passed, we are not sure how many athletes actually did sign up until now because this has not been disclosed.  I just hope for a fight with equal weapons on every racing level.  Well, it’s just fair if we all have the same rules, right?  And if not then those athletes that don’t sign up simply can’t race–with no exceptions!

What is your thought on that- please let me know and post your comment!

10 Comments On “Who should be allowed to start? Discussion about new WTC rules.”

  1. I think rules (no matter how confusing) are rules and anyone that is willing to play needs to obey the rules. WITH NO EXCEPTIONS! And also the people setting the rules need to do their share of the deal!

  2. @Jaakko: Thanks for sharing the same thinking here…we will see where that road will lead to. Hope all is well with training!

  3. Hi Dirk.
    I dont support at all the decision. What does it mean, we will do more doping test IF you’ll pay for it yourself. I dont find it fare for the athletes. Shouldnt a company that earns big money do something about the flagship (aka pro athletes). And now the registration details are so foggy as well. A lot can happen in 6 months. I’ll may be still be injured in April and have no outlook in Championships in Nov, so what I pay 750$ on just hope?
    Now every little expence comes at a very high price for the athlets who come from not so rich countries. So before we had a chance that race orgamiser will give us at least a free start and another $ saved. Now that 750$ will be money just spent. And if you are keen on your championship goals you dont race this much. So 750 + another raceentry for Hawaii/Clearwater. As a US resindent I can see the point to pay this money, you have a wild nr of races. In Europe you have only a number of 70,3 races and Ironmans and they are all during very short time.
    Ok enough said. I dont think WTC will consider anything, because there are not enough athletes to fight it and frankly I think they just dont care.

  4. @Marko: I hear you man. I used to get free starts too, and prequalified for Hawaii, so where is the point for me to pay 750$- for what? That sucks, but my main point is to secure clean athletes on the start line. There should only athletes be allowed to race that are in a testing pool months in advance before racing Ironman events (ona pro level- or do you suddenly become a pro over night??). I have been in a pool for so many years and why should I personally pay the WTC to test me as well…that’s total non sense!I get tested from already 3 different institutions. So you are right about that! My main point is just that everyone needs to be in a testing pool prior to racing- obviously and not at the athletes expense.
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts here with us!

  5. At the Geelong 70.3 race last weekend they were testing some AG athletes which is about a first. However I agree that there has been no discussion over who has paid and who hasn’t. To be honest I can’t imagine that rece directors are going to say no to pro’s racing if they haven’t paid within the 3 month limit. They ‘may’ but I am sure that the licence hasn’t been paid by a lot of pro’s. What does that really mean then? They haven’t been subjected to drug testing until the race itself? Kind of defeats the purpose and makes it unfair for others who signed up months earlier.

  6. @Ben:Hi thanks for your comment. Great about the AG testing. I agree, no idea how many people signed up…so if someone has something to hide then they might just wait till the very last moment to sign up. The problem seems pretty obvious and hopefully it’s not a free ride for some…
    again thanks for sharing your comment and your nice words about my Hawaii results- I will do better in 2010!

  7. So who’s paying for AG testing? Seems like it’s the pros. How is that fair? Also, what exactly does $750 get you? I hear a drug test cost around $2000. Does this mean half of the pros will be tested once a year?

    In what other sport do professional athletes have to pay for their own drug testing? Triathletes are some of the most poorly paid professionals and now they are being asked to fork over $750 to pay for their own test? Do baseball, basketball, track and field athletes pay for their own testing? It’s awesome that they are trying to test more, but their plan to get it done sucks. This clearly wasn’t thought out properly.

  8. @Dan, 1 dopingtest (without bloodtest) is around 350-400 USD, at least was a few years ago. But yes, its a good point that age-groupers testing is paid by the pros 🙂
    Athletes have paid their own testing, but it has been always voluntary. You would like to prove you are clean, pay some money and we come and visit you and make your life more unconfortable 🙂

  9. @Marko: Strange rules out there….

  10. Weiter derart! Wundervoller Artikel, mannigfaltigen Dank für
    die praktische Information.

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