NEWS WRAP: Caster's Book Controversy / Biological Passport Defeat / Does the Sub-2 Marathon beckon?
Nov 10, 2023
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Former world steeplechase champion, Norah Jeruto, cleared of doping charges despite adverse findings in her biological passport. Controversy surrounding Caster Semenya's tell-all book and the ongoing debate about her eligibility as a female athlete. The potential of a sub-2 hour marathon record and the implications of constant carbohydrate consumption during endurance events. Exploration of the definition of male and female based on biology and historical cases of athletes with ambiguous genitalia. Recent marathon world record set by Calvin Kip and its impact on the excitement for new records. The complexity of a significant doping case and the implications for the anti-doping system. The process of appealing a rule violation in athletics and the use of the biological passport to assess athletes for doping.
Calvin Kipchoge's record-breaking marathon time of 2 hours and 35 seconds indicates a potential sub-two-hour marathon in the future.
The presentation and spectator experience of marathon running can be improved through real-time information, quality commentary, and creating a spectacle during races.
The case of Nora Geruto being cleared of doping charges highlights the complexities and limitations of the biological passport in detecting blood manipulation.
Power data analysis, incorporating an athlete's performance output, has the potential to enhance anti-doping measures and detect abnormal improvements in performance.
Deep dives
New marathon world record set by Calvin Kipchoge
Calvin Kipchoge broke the marathon world record in the Chicago marathon, completing the race in 2 hours and 35 seconds, beating the previous record by 34 seconds.
A remarkable performance
Kipchoge's race was characterized by a slow start, but he made up time between 30 and 40 kilometers, ultimately finishing with a negative split. His strong finish and impressive time highlight his ability as a marathon runner.
The prospect of a sub-two-hour marathon
With the recent breakthroughs in marathon times, a sub-two-hour marathon seems more feasible. The sport has recalibrated and athletes like Kipchoge are pushing the limits of what was once thought possible.
Implications for future races
Kipchoge's record-breaking performance raises questions about the future of marathon running and whether we will continue to see even faster times in upcoming races. It will be interesting to see how other elite athletes respond and if new records are set in the near future.
The challenges of presenting marathon running as a spectator sport
The podcast episode discusses how the presentation of marathon running as a spectator sport can impact its popularity and engagement. Unlike sports like cycling, which have made strides in providing exciting commentary and visual information, marathon running has been criticized for lacking the same level of excitement and accessibility. The need for real-time information, such as speed and accelerations, and high-quality commentary is highlighted. The discussion also touches on the balance between catering to the purists and engaging the casual fans, drawing comparisons to other sports like rugby. The importance of creating a spectacle during races, like in cities such as Berlin, London, and New York, is emphasized, as it can enhance the overall experience and appeal of marathon running.
The complexity of doping cases and the limitations of the biological passport
This podcast episode delves into the case of a former Kenyan athlete, Nora Geruto, who was cleared of doping charges. The episode explores the challenges and intricacies of doping cases and the limitations of the biological passport, a tool used to detect blood manipulation. The discussion highlights the difficulty in distinguishing between natural variations in blood composition and patterns indicative of doping. The episode also highlights the importance of expert assessments and their role in determining the credibility of evidence and explanations provided by athletes. The case raises questions about the reliability and interpretation of test results, as well as the need for ongoing improvements in anti-doping measures.
The potential of incorporating power data into anti-doping measures
The podcast episode delves into the concept of incorporating power data into anti-doping measures, particularly in relation to cycling. Power data, which measures an athlete's performance output, is suggested as a potential tool to supplement the existing biological passport and detect abnormal improvements in performance. The conversation touches upon the challenges of using power data, including variations caused by factors like time of year and calibration, as well as the need for more research and reliability tests. While there are limitations and complexities in implementing power data analysis, it is considered a valuable discussion point for enhancing anti-doping efforts.
Former world steeplechase champion, Norah Jeruto, was recently cleared of doping charges despite adverse findings in her biological passport. Does this put the credibility of the passport at risk or is the unusual case a once-off? PLUS Caster Semenya's controversial 'tell-all' book and reactions, can you ingest carbs through your mouth and does the latest world marathon record puts the sub-2 hour within reach?