Poll of The Week: Should The Media Question Athletic Performances When Doping Is Suspected?

The thing about your poll and the recent article reminding us of the Chinese and East German swimmers is still too obviously an effort to deflect attention from the ill advised publishing of an article questioning whether Katinka Hossu was clean. The fact that the author did not even attempt to get information or comments from her makes me question the validity of any investigative effort he is making concerning a documentary on the subject. I have had only modest success as a college swimmer and as a long time masters swimmer, but I know the sport. The fact that a multiple world medalist does not have an Olympic medal is irrelevant, she has a long and successful career. As the article about the previous doping scandal pointed out, many times characteristics of doping included some of the following: a swimmer coming from no previous history of success (Katinka Hossu has had a long career of success), hulking physique and/or deep voices (she does not), and poor form mechanics, just a lot of power. I have seen her swim numerous times and she has flawless form and feel for the water in all four strokes. Her backstroke in particular is near perfect form. Her ability to swim successfully on short turn times is special, but others have achieved similar. The fact that she is not an American hero I feel made her more vulnerable too. Publishing an article demeaning the efforts of a special talent is not only unfair to that swimmer and does a disservice to swimming fans as well, it literally it sucks the joy out of the sport. For all these reasons I feel the author has demonstrated a lack of understanding of the sport and offers no facts, just reckless speculation. I feel Swimming World would have been better served by offering a different opinion piece, a sort of point/counterpoint article to show balance. Instead you offered up articles reminding us that doping has happened in the past and a poll about media and doping speculation.