World Athletics (Track & Field) Championship, Helsinki

[mugu]

The beginning of a worn-out debate:
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story ... t_id=76079

[suresh]

Thanks for the link, Mugu. The weather conditions in Helsinki were not easy for anyone. However, for someone from the tropics like Anju, it is pretty hard to adjust to wet and cold weather. I don't think it is a matter of technique -- how can you compete with a Russian who has handled this kind of weather all her life and can handle it with ease. I can imagine the same Russian struggling in wet humid weather in Kerala while Anju would be able to handle it. I think Anju's performance in Helsinki speaks volumes of her inner strength and grit. A normal person woul d have faded and finished 12th. I wish our reporters were more charitable and try not to look for other factors like technique, coaching to put the blame on.

Let us enjoy having a top-notch athlete amongst us. That is a rarity among Indians as far as I can see.

[mugu]

I agree with you Suresh. The temperatures ranged between 14 degrees abnd 15 degrees; humidity between 88 per cent and 94 per cent. Add to it rains and swirling winds.
Kotova has been quoted in a TOI report today (quoted by Anju to the reporter) that she would have liked to have a swig of vodka to keep herself warmed up. Anju said that they were running more after each jump than on the runway during jumps.
The overall competition never went up to Worlds standards because of the conditions. Madison was the exception; all others were below 6.80. The American's 6.89 was the poorest gold-winning mark in Worlds.
And we are trying to find out whether Anju had the right technique to jump on a wet runway!
It was a wonder that Anju managed 6.66 in such conditions.
Yes, Bobby might require someone to improve her speed and maybe fine-tune her approach. They can come in later.
If an expreinced Russian (Kotova) who has jumped 7.42 cannot jump better than 6.79 in a competition in which she was the favourite, do you ask her whether she needs technical correction to jump in the rain and cold?

[Kumar]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/4148054.stm

If they can't be first in Sports, looks like they can be first in a dubious category!!!

Discus thrower fails drugs test
Indian discus thrower Neelam Jaswant Singh is the first athlete to test positive at the World Championships.
Singh tested positive in competition in Helsinki on 7 August for the prohibited stimulant pemoline.

Neelam's throw was about 4m less than her 2005 best effort at Patiala on 21st May.

How can she take drugs and still throw 4m less than her best efforT!!!

And this news rounds up an extremely disappointing sports week for Indians!!!

[jayakris]

The Hindu article -- http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/14/stories ... 731700.htm

Yeah, what I find the most depressing is that we keep racking up this drug-cheat reputation while none of our athletes are really winning medals or anything either. It is funny and sad that we are way behind world standards even in drug-cheating. Can we do anything well in sports?

Jay

[BSharma]

According to The Hindu article, Neelam's urine sample contained pemoline. This drug was sold in USA by the name Cylert and the manufacturer removed it from the market in March 2005 following severe liver damage in children who took this medicine.

This medicine was used in USA for treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) until it was removed from the market. Pemoline is a central nervous system stimulant.

Why would Neelam want to take pemoline?

[Kumar]

Why would Neelam want to take pemoline?

Bhushan, plz check out this SIFY article..
http://sify.com/sports/others/fullstory.php?id=13917231

The athlete's mother-in-law Sital Kaur, said that during her preparation for the Athens Olympics, Neelam had suffered a disc problem for which she was recommended anti-inflammatory medicine which she continued to take for quite some time under medical supervision.

[BSharma]

Kumar,

Pemoline is not an anti-inflammatory medicine, and it is not indicated for use in disc problems.

It is not unusual for athletes to abuse central nervous system stimulants (e.g., pemoline or similar drugs) to enhance their performance.

I do not know if Neelam took this drug to enhance her performance at the World Championship or took it by mistake or someone gave it to her without her knowledge, hence I am not trying to comment specifically about her. I wrote about this drug so that the forum members learn what type of drug is pemoline.

[PKBasu]

Whatever the circumstances in which Neelam took pemoline, it is truly depressing that the first (perhaps only) positive drug test at the world championships was by an Indian, and that by someone who didn't even contend. Sad, sad, sad!

[BSharma]

CNS stimulants will not cause people to build big muscles but it can cause a state of euphoria and general feeling of well being.

Most people who drink coffee or tea regularly do not realize that they are taking a CNS stimulant. Caffeine, an ingredient in coffee and tea, makes people to become alert and think more clearly. It makes people to go from a lethargic state to where the reaction time is faster. Remember the college days when we stayed up all night to study and drank coffee or tea to do so?
Some premature babies who have apnea and bradycardia are given caffeine as medicine, and blood caffeine levels are measured to monitor the therapy.

People have moved from caffeine to other CNS stimulants. Air Force pilots on long flights take "go pills" to stay awake and alert. Athletes use CNS stimulants to feel better and more alert before the competition.

[India1989]

Hey can anyone give me more info on Asian indoor atheletic championship. Like what do they play in indoor athletic.

[mugu]

Wonder what India1989 wants to know.
You may look up the Asian Indoors wrap-up report on the Home Page. You may also see the report on Anju George on the "Anju George" thread.
If you are wanting to know what events are held indoors, here's a list:
Men: 50m, 60m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, one mile, 5000m, 50m/60m hurdles, high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, heptathlon, 5000m walk, 4x400m relay.
Women: 50m, 60m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, one mile, 3000m, 5000m, 50m/60m hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put, pentathlon, 3000m walk; 4x400m relay.
Generally, the short sprint is 60 metres which is what the distance of the straight is. The track is banked.
Obviously you can't have long throwing events in an indoor arena.
The World Indoor championships will be held in Moscow from March 10 to 12. Anju George is going to compete.