Spitting in the Face of the Athletes

By John Lohn

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 27. IT should have gone down as one of the most celebrated nights in swimming history. Four world records, three by Americans, highlighted the third evening of action at the 12th edition of the FINA World Championships. Then, FINA took the shine off the party by releasing a ridiculous fact sheet that paid homage to the drug-tainted World Champs of 1973 in Belgrade.

Following the night session at Rod Laver Arena, a release was sent out to members of the media that highlighted Sept. 8, 1973 as the biggest, record-breaking day the World Champs have seen. And while seven global standards went down on that date, five have been identified as influenced by drug use as part of the systematic doping employed by East Germany.

On that dark day, Australian Stephen Holland set a pair of legitimate records, taking down standards in the 800 and 1,500 freestyle events. The 800 mark arrived as a split in the metric mile. The other five records were from Kornelia Ender in the 100 freestyle (twice), Rosemarie Kother (200 butterfly) and East Germany in the 400 freestyle relay. The individuals delivering those five East German swims have been documented to have used steroids.

From a clean, drug-free angle, March 27, 2007 will go down as one of the finest days of World Champs action, far above the 1973 disgrace. Michael Phelps got the night started off by clocking 1:43.86 in the 200 freestyle to erase Ian Thorpe's 2001 standard of 1:44.06. Natalie Coughlin then followed with a 59.44 clocking in the women's 100 backstroke. Before the night was out, Aaron Peirsol (52.98) became the first man to break 53 seconds in the 100 back and Federica Pellegrini of Italy went 1:56.47 in the semifinals of the 200 free.

Why the records of that day in 1973 have not been stricken from the book is mind-boggling. It's even more revolting that the day was relived in the face of a great evening in Melbourne. Instead of honoring the current crop of standout athletes, those who have put in the work without enhancing supplements, their day was tainted by an ugly past.

Shirley Babashoff on East German Doping

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