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Track great Ed Moses says Jamaica's athletes clean
Published: Saturday | March 7, 2009
American track and field legend, Edwin Moses, poses with chairman of the Gibson Relays organising committe Neville 'Teddy' McCook at the Gibson Relays at the National Stadium last Saturday. - Photo by Anthony Foster
Since Jamaica's exploits at the Beijing Olympics, many persons around the world have questioned the athletes' performances, suggesting possible drug-use. However, legendary American athlete Edwin Moses harbours no such thoughts.
Moses, the former 400m hurdles world record holder, said anyone who is aware of Jamaica's grassroots development, like him, would not be saying negative things about Jamaican athletes.
"It's no surprise that Jamaica is as good as it is, because they have people who understand you have to start from the grassroots," said Moses, while attending the Gibson Relays last week.
A sports administrator, diplomat and businessman, the American track and field great said he has witnessed the development taking place for three decades.
"I have seen where it (Jamaica) has developed over the last 30 years ... to me it's no big surprise whatsoever," added Moses.
Moses is remembered mostly for the period of nine years, nine months and nine days - from August 1977 until May 1987 - when he registered 122 straight victories (107 in finals) - in his pet event.
This winning streak has remained unbeaten and stands in the Guinness Book of [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]Records[/COLOR][/COLOR] to this date.
unfounded allegations
"I think those allegations that are made about Jamaica's track and field are unfounded," making reference to the many times Jamaicans were tested in 2008.
The nation was listed as one of the five most tested countries in IAAF figures for out-of-competition testing released last week.
Jamaican athletes, led by the world record 100 and 200 metres sprinter, Usain Bolt, dominated the 2008 Beijing Olympics with 11 medals - six of them [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]gold[/COLOR][/COLOR].
Moses said it's wrong to make such statements, especially since some of those people have drug issues themselves.
"I think its unfounded and nasty to say that (link Jamaica to [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]drugs[/COLOR][/COLOR])," Moses said.
Commenting on Gibson Relays, Moses said the performances by the young athletes were great.
"It's not the first time I am seeing it ... I know this is a big part of Jamaica's track and field."
According to Moses' biography, published on his website, in 1993, he decided to make the first major public challenge in the assault against performance enhancing drugs in sports, together with a few other dedicated pure track and field athletes, who became [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]pioneers[/COLOR][/COLOR] in the development, administration and implementation of the world's most stringent random in-competition drug testing [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]systems[/COLOR][/COLOR].
Between the years of 1983 and 1989, as an athlete member of the Athletics Congress, Moses continually monitored the progress and results of the in-competition random testing programme.
Published: Saturday | March 7, 2009
American track and field legend, Edwin Moses, poses with chairman of the Gibson Relays organising committe Neville 'Teddy' McCook at the Gibson Relays at the National Stadium last Saturday. - Photo by Anthony Foster
Since Jamaica's exploits at the Beijing Olympics, many persons around the world have questioned the athletes' performances, suggesting possible drug-use. However, legendary American athlete Edwin Moses harbours no such thoughts.
Moses, the former 400m hurdles world record holder, said anyone who is aware of Jamaica's grassroots development, like him, would not be saying negative things about Jamaican athletes.
"It's no surprise that Jamaica is as good as it is, because they have people who understand you have to start from the grassroots," said Moses, while attending the Gibson Relays last week.
A sports administrator, diplomat and businessman, the American track and field great said he has witnessed the development taking place for three decades.
"I have seen where it (Jamaica) has developed over the last 30 years ... to me it's no big surprise whatsoever," added Moses.
Moses is remembered mostly for the period of nine years, nine months and nine days - from August 1977 until May 1987 - when he registered 122 straight victories (107 in finals) - in his pet event.
This winning streak has remained unbeaten and stands in the Guinness Book of [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]Records[/COLOR][/COLOR] to this date.
unfounded allegations
"I think those allegations that are made about Jamaica's track and field are unfounded," making reference to the many times Jamaicans were tested in 2008.
The nation was listed as one of the five most tested countries in IAAF figures for out-of-competition testing released last week.
Jamaican athletes, led by the world record 100 and 200 metres sprinter, Usain Bolt, dominated the 2008 Beijing Olympics with 11 medals - six of them [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]gold[/COLOR][/COLOR].
Moses said it's wrong to make such statements, especially since some of those people have drug issues themselves.
"I think its unfounded and nasty to say that (link Jamaica to [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]drugs[/COLOR][/COLOR])," Moses said.
Commenting on Gibson Relays, Moses said the performances by the young athletes were great.
"It's not the first time I am seeing it ... I know this is a big part of Jamaica's track and field."
According to Moses' biography, published on his website, in 1993, he decided to make the first major public challenge in the assault against performance enhancing drugs in sports, together with a few other dedicated pure track and field athletes, who became [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]pioneers[/COLOR][/COLOR] in the development, administration and implementation of the world's most stringent random in-competition drug testing [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]systems[/COLOR][/COLOR].
Between the years of 1983 and 1989, as an athlete member of the Athletics Congress, Moses continually monitored the progress and results of the in-competition random testing programme.
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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