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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2005 21:53:38 GMT -5
Great post and very well put. I appreciate your honesty and position. I also agree that the suspension term should be shortened to at least be in line with other drug free feds. I believe the USAPL has a 3 year ban but I do not know of other organizations.
As for myself, I did a 4 week cycle of Russian D-bol in 1996 just out of high school. Chalk it up to young, dumb, and weak under peer pressure. 100% drug free ever since.
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Post by bossman on Jan 1, 2006 1:18:10 GMT -5
Shawn,
You have brought up some really great points. These are points that need to be discussed to insure the best thing for the federation and it's growth. I like the honesty and integrity of letting everyone know from the get go. Happy New Year I think 2006 is going to best a great year for 100% RAW Powerlifting Federation.
Paul Bossi
President
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Post by fatcat on Jan 1, 2006 21:54:06 GMT -5
I would think two years would be plenty of time off. I'm not sure if someone that had used in the past would still have an advantage. If you want a drug free fed though you have to make it available to the biggest population within reason.
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Post by trainiac on Jan 3, 2006 11:52:20 GMT -5
I've never taken steroids, so I am not an expert, but
I'll give my opinion of those who have taken them. I think there are a couple different types:
1. The Arnolds & Ronnie Colemans who take insane amounts for years - I think these people are sad, and are doing terrible damage to themselves. They may be similar to women with anorexia (have some body image disorder) or just driven to win at all costs.
2. Those who think there is a place for intelligent steroid use, within reason. I say if they can do it without damaging their health, that's fine for them. I just don't want to have to compete with them, because it's not fair to me.
3. Those who got caught up, or influenced by friends, tried steroids, but are now clean. I don't think we should hold it against them any more than someone who tried marijuana.
Bottom line is, I don't think we should be in the business of judging people for their past, or enforcing any laws. So in my opinion, we should only care that the people we are competing with have been steroid free for sufficient time that they don't have an unfair advantage. I don't know how long that is, but I suspect two years is plenty. Those who know more about how fast strength fades after stopping might be able to confirm this.
If someone gets caught using steroids while competing in our Raw contests, that is another matter. I say if they try to cheat like that, ban them for two years. If they want to come back, they have to agree to get tested at EVERY meet, AND pay for their own test.
---Clint Phillips
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Post by dopar66 on Jan 4, 2006 9:59:49 GMT -5
Happy New Year to all!
Well, back to the topic at hand....
I am far from an expert on the issue. The "hardest" thing I've ever taken was caffeine pills. It really sounds like this is a complicated issue when you factor in medical (prescribed) usage. Without trying to sidestep the issue, Bud, I think it would be a timely issue for all the state chairs and board members to address this issue. I know of one other "drug free" lifter who was prescribed steroids for recovery, and testosterone for, um, other..... I just think it's way too complex to allow a survey to sway a regulation.
By the way, Bud, nice article about the Chicago meet!
God Bless all.
Doug P.
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Post by ricksamples on Jan 4, 2006 11:14:42 GMT -5
I would vote for a five year period before an athlete who had used steroids could compete in a drug-free federation. I also believe that members of a drug-free federation should be available for testing at any time, not just at competitions. This would more closely resemble the Olympic standard. If a member tests positive I would suggest a five year suspension followed by a lifetime ban for a second offense. The use of steroids for performance enhancement is cheating, plain and simple. If you are legitimately prescribed steroids by a doctor that precludes you from drug-free competition. Light suspensions or shortened suspensions cheapen our sport and cause us to be looked down upon by the community at large and athletes with more rigid standards. Powerlifting is an awesome sport. If we are to ever remove the steroid stigma from our sport we must do what is right even if it offends some of our fellow lifters. Possession of steroids is a crime under both state and federal law and should not be tolerated.
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self
Full Member
Posts: 169
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Post by self on Jan 4, 2006 13:33:06 GMT -5
First, I think when a record is broke and the lifter is tested it needs to be written next to there name when they were last tested. In the record books on the web site. This way we can see who has been tested and when. Just think this would be kinda kool.
As far as drugs and steroid testing go. IM not sure how that all works. I think all Illegal DRUGS and STEROIDS under both state and federal law and should not be allowed.
I think It would be nice for the test to show what kind of drug was in the lifter that made him/her fail. ( If they can do that ) Because there are a lot of supplements you can buy out there at GNC that might make you fail.
( or so it seems )
But what about the other stuff? The stuff in between. Caffeine, Tribulus, Green tea, HMB, Arginine, Creatine,
All those "Natural Testosterone Boosters" ZMA, Ginseng, Chinese Yam Rhizome, Eurycoma, Yohimbe, ect
All the NO2 type pump/Nitric Oxide products.
Some of these things can be in drinks you just buy at 7-11 or the gas station. Now I don't know if these would make you fail a drug test or not. I dont think they do. Because I have taken many of them and been tested 2 times now. But these over the counter type things should be allowed in my opinion.
If a lifter wants to buy LEGAL supplements then he/she should be able to.
Just the same if one lifter wants to eat RED MEAT every night and drink whole milk. That is his choice. While another lifter might not want/or be live in eating RED MEAT.
My opinion..... All Illegal DRUGS and STEROIDS under both state and federal law and should not be allowed.
Two years seems good. I have no clue on this. But when guys I know go off of them they lose a lot of strength in about a week or so. ( its kinda funny )
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Post by gberry on Jan 4, 2006 13:36:44 GMT -5
Bud, you are doing a great job. Keep up the good work.
Let me just say that if you are going to be a part of any organization you should abide by that organizations rules and regulations. An organization is only as strong as the “character” of its leaders. If the rule says 100% RAW or the participant will be penalized then the leaders must stand behind and enforce the penalties that are in place. The reason that I was attracted to 100% RAW in the first place is because it was just that 100% RAW … No Drugs, No Lifting Aids nothing but the talent God gave you to lift heavy weights.
Now to the area that should be plane and simple but I assume because we are having this discussion are not. The area of PENALTIES for lifters that use performance-enhancing substances in an organization that bans their use, such as 100% RAW. I feel they should be banned for 5 years minimum with a lifetime ban for a second offence. What about lifters that have tried steroids in the past? I think that 3 years is probably enough time to be drug free before you lift in a drug free meet.
I have never used steroids and never intend to use them. I know and understand the pressures to be the best at something. So if you want to be the best RAW lifter come to the meets 100% RAW 100% of the time. If you want to use steroids or other performance enhancing substances then use them and lift in the organizations that allow their use.
I take a lot of pride in the lifters that I train as their totals go up. I know that it is their hard work, sweat and dedication and not the latest greatest steroid stack that is giving them their gains. I would just hope that the lifters that they compete against are likewise making their gains with the abilities and genetics that God blessed them with.
Gene Berry
NC Chairman
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Post by chuckwaggon on Jan 4, 2006 13:48:19 GMT -5
I think 5 year is a minimum time frame. When you build up muscle mass it does not go away over night. Some of the professional sports players are still hugh years later.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2006 20:26:55 GMT -5
I can not thank you enough for your honest approach! I have been retired for some time due to an accident...but was a coach for over 20 years. I have been around the steroid crowd all of my life. It was refreshing to find this organization in todays world! My position on the subject does not matter. The fact that any use in the past.....is in the past. I for one do not understand how folks beat the tests for use anyway. I have seen many athletes over my years use all kinds of steroid help....and still get by the drug testing. How? I guess I never cared.
If an athlete comes clean...stays clean...then have fun. If we are talking about a pro division....then the subject changes does it not? I guess two years is plenty of time if we are there to enjoy the sport. BUT if we are in a pro division....then maybe five years is enough to be "clean"? I do not know....just a suggestion.
I'd enjoy watching you as well as everyone else I have met so far! Have fun and come lift!
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Post by stncld83 on Jan 7, 2006 18:41:41 GMT -5
I think it is very comendable for Shawn to come out and share the details of his history with steroid use and share his thoughts about it. It doesn't matter if you use steroids for medical purposes or for competitive purposes, it's still a very tough subject to talk about. This is obviously a very touchy issue and everyone has some kind of an opinion on it. Having been an athlete my whole life and at one time a competitive lifter, I understand the temptation to use steroids. The desire to be bigger, faster and stronger is always tugging at you. People are out there who are always willing to sell you something that will give you that edge. And let's face it, we live in a very competitive society where finishing second has become unacceptable .No pressure huh? My take is this, the only person who has to live with the after effects of using steroids is the person who is actually using them. We all know the physical and mental effects that steroids can have on people and the users are the one who must live with it. Me personally, I want to watch my sons grow and I want to live to be a ripe old age. Even though I love lifting and being competitive..it's just not that serious to me. I'll still wake up tomorrow and be happy with my life..STEROID FREE! I competed steroid free and there is no reason why others can't as well because if you have to use steroids to become a champion, then you are only a champion in your own mind..atleast in my book you are. If a Federation has rules in place then they should be followed and if you get caught then you are getting what you deserve. If you don't get caught..then sadly.. a deserving lifter may lose his chance at winning. I know that's not what people want to see happen.Anyways, I am looking very forward to hosting one of your events here at my gym in March and I know my boy Bill Blackstone is going to win it all.. (Sorry..had to throw that in). Good luck to all the lifters and I hope that I have not offended anyone with my comments. See you all in March.
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Post by bossman on Jan 9, 2006 14:37:48 GMT -5
Gene,
I love your reply to Shawn, it was very professional and well thought out. I agree 100% with you. I am going to write a new proposal of our rules and make it very simple for everyone to understand. I will have all state chairmen vote on it. I think everyone will agree with it. I am also glad to see you on hear making a posts and replies. Keep up the good work and God Bless.
Paul Bossi
President
100% RAW
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2006 16:32:40 GMT -5
I have never used steroids either, and am pure. There needs to be strict penalties for those competing in Raw meets and fail drug tests. HOWEVER, there also needs to be an incentive for those coming from other lifting organizations, or who have seen the light and who want to lift clean and raw. If someone were banned in another organization, there should be a two year moratorium before they can compete drug free - and they must submit to drug tests. I feel that 5 years is way too long - if a powerlifter truly loves to powerlift and then he/she is forced to not compete in an organization for a very long time, then most likely they will move on to other "non testing" organizations and now lifting raw becomes a deterrent, and the drug free "asylum" that raw lifting offers has defeated one of it's own very essential qualities - PROMOTE drug free lifting. I think that Rawpowerlifting, besides attracting lifetime drugfree lifters and raw lifting affiandos, should also be seen as a sort of quasi-asylum for those who have gone through the stages of their powerlifting career, where they might have used steroids, and now want to be honest with themselves. Perhaps these people could come aboard in a "probationary" period and be allowed to compete, until they have tested negative for banned substances for a minimum of 3 years. All competitions would have Raw lifters and Probationary Raw lifters. Those who tested positive at a compeition or during their probation then get slapped with a 3 year ban.
Just my two cents...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2006 17:02:46 GMT -5
I wanted to add, that in circumstances such as Bud's, perhaps a "Medical Exception" Probationary period can be instituted, wherein a person who is undergoing medical treatment that requires the usage of banned substances - such as steroids or growth hormone, must notify their state's chapter of RawPowerlifting, and they would be allowed to compete, but not place or have their lifts count as any offical record. So at least setting their own PR's in a judged environment, and being able to share in the comraderie with other powerlifters is still an option.
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Post by mikecain on Jan 25, 2006 14:45:30 GMT -5
hey paul, do you have to qualify at a state meet to go to the nationals. im a masters 49 shwt thanks mike cain
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Post by bossman on Jan 30, 2006 12:44:33 GMT -5
You do not have to qualify in a state meet to go to the Nationals. You may enter either the National or World meet without qualifying. In the future as we grow that may change.
Paul Bossi
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