Topic: News: Norik Vardanian busted for marijuana

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Its just being realistic that Norik is a valuable commodity. He is worth way more than $5,000 to the USAW, if they care about having great lifters compete for them. If that isn't the priority, and I'd say it never has been, then I guess it doesn't matter.

[Andy Dick]

There is no arguing he is a great lifter because he is, and one of our best.  I think if they were to try to pay his fine at least work something in that he has to do to "make it up" to USAW.  Community service or talking to kids about how they shouldn't be using any illegal drugs for example.  At least something that shows he has remorse or is at least some kind of deterrent.  Make him prove himself that he is moving on from this incident in a positive manner and pulling his head out his butt on making stupid decisions.  I don't think he should be crucified for life but now is the time where he has to show what he is going to do now to rectify the situation. 

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Of course it goes without saying that Norik wants to lift more weight. He probably wants to win international medals. This is the best way he could pay back the USAW for paying the fine. More punishment is not going to help achieve this goal. It should be obvious that if all the USAW had to do was pay $5,000 for lifters of Norik's caliber that they could very cheaply and significantly improve the quality of their Teams. I've seen several other examples of the USAW doing stuff less easily justified than this for elite lifters. This is not the argument that two wrongs make a right, but demonstrating that it is simply good business, a good investment.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Mike,

Sorry for the double post, but I am curious about the USAW's long term intentions with this policy. Will it be consistent? Will Americans testing positive for steroids with much larger fines be required to pay them to regain their eligibility? Do you think this is fair since many other countries are obviously not holding the individual lifter responsible for it?

Thanks

[Mike Wittmer]

Mike,

Sorry for the double post, but I am curious about the USAW's long term intentions with this policy. Will it be consistent? Will Americans testing positive for steroids with much larger fines be required to pay them to regain their eligibility? Do you think this is fair since many other countries are obviously not holding the individual lifter responsible for it?

Thanks

Chris, I'll answer your questions as best I can.  I do not know what USAW's long term intentions are in relation to this recent drug testing fine and suspension.  This is new territory.  I imagine this will come up in the next face to face BOD meeting.

You may be interested to know that as I was voting to make the lifter pay the fine, in the back of my mind I was thinking of the scenario you mentioned and wondering how I would look at this if the fine were for much more.  I believe the fines for steriods have been at least $50k and requiring the lifter to pay that before being allowed to lift again would for all intents and purposes be the same as a lifetime ban.

In voting to make the lifter pay the fine my hope is that this will send a message to all US lifters and we will be able to prevent this from happening again.  The financial situation within the USOC and USAW just does not allow for anything else.  Plus, the USA has been outspoken regarding the drug issues involving other federations so, politically, we cannot take another hit (pun intended), or a PED positive. 

I do think this is fair.  Now it is out there, though it is in the old bylaws (which are in effect as the new bylaws do not deal with this) that any IWF imposed fine may be handed down to the offender.  Don't smoke pot close to a drug test or it will cost you if you fail the test.  Same for steriods.

I do not think the actions of other countries are relevant, they can run their organizations as they see fit.  However, I wish they would adopt the same policy as we have.  Perhaps that would cut down some of the drug use within the sport.

Mike 

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Mike,

Thanks for taking the time to address my questions and objections. We will have to agree to disagree. But, I will sum up with an overall assessment of the plan in my view and some predictions for some of the unintended consequences. First, I believe the rule is an immoral attempt to regulate the private lives of lifers, for no good reason. I would feel about the same if they banned anyone who has had any kind of sex to avoid the risk of blood born pathogens being spread via blood on the bar.

Second, this puts American lifters at a new disadvantage compared to other nations that do not make their lifters pay the fine. So, this is, again, the USAW making things harder on the lifter, not easier- a long pattern. Third, eventually we will see Americans suspended for pot or other trivial violations longer than steroid users who get their fee paid. Fourth, I predict it will not be consistent and will only be a matter of time until the USAW decides paying some lifter's fee is necessary- as in to get a lifter eligible that otherwise might/would not be in time to score points for Olympic Team slots.  And, it could easily dwarf Norik's $5,000 fee. Fifth, its well worth $5,000 to get Norik on the right track and could pay off beyond anyone's wildest expectations. Its a good investment.

Peace

[Mike Cook]

I looked on the IWF website to see if the IWF rules support their demand to make USAW pay $5000 for a failed drug test of one of its athletes.  It does.  Here is what the IWF rules say on the matter:

12.3.2 For each adverse analytical result found against an athlete
from a National Federation in any test conducted by the IWF or WADA,
the athlete’s National Federation must pay a fine of $5,000 USD (five
thousand US dollars) together with the analysis costs of the test. The
IWF ANTI-DOPING POLICY 47
National Federation must pay the fine and costs within thirty (30) days
of the date on which the IWF demands such payment. The National
Federation must not enter any athletes in international competition until
it has paid the fine and costs.

You can read the IWF rules yourself here:
http://www.iwf.net/doc/antidoping.pdf

[Mike Wittmer]

Mike,

Thanks for taking the time to address my questions and objections. We will have to agree to disagree. But, I will sum up with an overall assessment of the plan in my view and some predictions for some of the unintended consequences. First, I believe the rule is an immoral attempt to regulate the private lives of lifers, for no good reason. I would feel about the same if they banned anyone who has had any kind of sex to avoid the risk of blood born pathogens being spread via blood on the bar.

Second, this puts American lifters at a new disadvantage compared to other nations that do not make their lifters pay the fine. So, this is, again, the USAW making things harder on the lifter, not easier- a long pattern. Third, eventually we will see Americans suspended for pot or other trivial violations longer than steroid users who get their fee paid. Fourth, I predict it will not be consistent and will only be a matter of time until the USAW decides paying some lifter's fee is necessary- as in to get a lifter eligible that otherwise might/would not be in time to score points for Olympic Team slots.  And, it could easily dwarf Norik's $5,000 fee. Fifth, its well worth $5,000 to get Norik on the right track and could pay off beyond anyone's wildest expectations. Its a good investment.

Peace

Chris, the morality of it is not an issue for me, it is a rule and as long as it is, live with it and deal with the consequences of your actions.  No one is making you lift weights, but if you want to internationally, don't smoke pot.

By banning pot, I don't think US lifters are at a disadvantage, as long as they do not smoke pot.  There may be other issues that put us at a disadvantage.  That's life. 

I think paying the $5000 fine for a lifter puts other lifters at a disadvantage.  For example, a couple of kids would be at the disadvantage of having to come up with the travel expense to go on an international trip because USAW is spending it's money bailing out drug offenders.

I do think you are in the minority here, but if not, perhaps we'll see a new BOD with a different mindset regarding this issue.

Mike