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IFBB Enforces Drug Policy! |
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Written by Dave Palumbo
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Friday, 11 July 2008 |
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The IFBB has always maintained that it has a random drug
testing policy in place that all active athletes are subject to. Until now, it was always thought that this
rule was just some phantom policy that was placed "on the Books" to look good
for outside parties. All that changed
today when I was contacted by an IFBB athlete in good standing who was sent a
registered letter that informed this person that they were selected for a
random drug test. As a result of this
selection, they had 72 hours to report to a designated testing facility where
they were required to submit a urine sample for analysis. The letter also explained that a failed drug
test would result in suspension from the IFBB for a designated period of time. Furthermore, all test results, whether
positive or negative, are being kept private; apparently to prevent
embarrassment and/or loss of future potential income. Failure to provide urine samples within the
designated 72-hour period is being considered a failed test.
Given the current political environment, it's nice to know
that the IFBB is complying with its stated random drug testing policy; however,
since the testing protocol and selection process is being kept anonymous, it's
impossible to tell exactly how many athletes per year are being randomly chosen. Suffice it to say that as the political
climate continues to heat up (with the Olympics right around the corner), more
frequent testing of IFBB athletes could become the rule rather than the
exception.
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