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HDG · 08-18-2005, 03:31 PM

Two of my asthma meds contain controlled pharmaceuticals.

The USFA athletes' handbook says that drug testing will be done at point events, so if I'm not fencing in point events should I not worry about having my doctor file an ATUE?

Peach · 08-18-2005, 04:02 PM

I would SERIOUSLY not worry about doping control at Div II/III events. It's expensive and inconvenient for the bout committee as well as for the fencer, and it's only worth doing for point events. I use an asthma inhaler myself and have for the last ten years, and even in Div I events I've never finished high enough for anyone to want to give me one.

HDG · 08-18-2005, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peach

I would SERIOUSLY not worry about doping control at Div II/III events. It's expensive and inconvenient for the bout committee as well as for the fencer, and it's only worth doing for point events. I use an asthma inhaler myself and have for the last ten years, and even in Div I events I've never finished high enough for anyone to want to give me one.

Thank you very much.
harry

Frank Pratt · 08-18-2005, 04:23 PM

From what I've heard, testing is pretty much limited to the finalits in point competitions. However, remember that doping is illegal at all events, and testing can be done at any level, especially if you give them a really good reason.

There is a waiver process you can go through to get your mediciation approved. It would probably be a good idea to do this, just in case. The procedure is outlined in the Athletes' Handbook Also refer to "The Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemption Form (Medical Notification for Restricted Drugs)".

fencerbill · 08-18-2005, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDG

Two of my asthma meds contain controlled pharmaceuticals.

The USFA athletes' handbook says that drug testing will be done at point events, so if I'm not fencing in point events should I not worry about having my doctor file an ATUE?

Do you think you are cheating?

My wife takes the extreme point of view that if you are wearing glasses, you are improperly using an artificial enhancement of your capabilities. Four eyes me does not share that opinion.

The world of fencing does at least some of the time take a pragmatic viewpoint. Over 60 Veterans, such as I, have not been penalized for taking medications that would get a twenty year old suspended for two years.

I, also, have never heard of drug testing for Div II or III. But if it makes you feel better, complete the Therapeutic Use Exemption Form. You will be setting a proper example for all of us.

Peach · 08-18-2005, 05:27 PM

I completed the Therapeutic Use Exemption Form and mailed it in for a few years back when I was still permitted to do World Cups. I'm sure they politely filed it somewhere.

For the Veteran Worlds, they have told us to bring our prescription medicines in the original containers

HDG · 08-18-2005, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Pratt

There is a waiver process you can go through to get your mediciation approved. It would probably be a good idea to do this, just in case. The procedure is outlined in the Athletes' Handbook Also refer to "The Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemption Form (Medical Notification for Restricted Drugs)".

Yes, thank you, I alluded to the ATUE in my original post; my question was whether this is really necessary at my (low) level, and now I guess I just need to figure out whether to follow your "just in case" advice or Peach's "don't worry about it" advice.

As for Fencerbill's question about whether I think I'm cheating, no, just trying to breathe. But if I were to keep an oxygen tank at the side of the strip...

rcmatthews · 08-18-2005, 06:50 PM

What about people who have laser vision correction, is that cheating? I certainly don't think so.

MikeHarm · 08-19-2005, 05:02 AM

With laser surgery, I think it depends what kind of laser surgery and in what context. The kind that gives you 20/20 I don't think would be cheating in any sport, but some of the sorts you can get gives you vision that is way out of range for what any human could expect to have which I think could be considered cheating in something that involves vision as part of the sport, like target shooting.

dcmdale · 08-19-2005, 12:07 PM

A couple of years ago, after reading a newspaper article about a local Y-14 fencer who got the 2-year boot for popping a Pseudofed for a head cold and then medaling in Cadets, I asked the USADA about their focus. That is, were they really interested in trying to identify all of the kids with asthma competing at levels where they would not be heading to international competitions and where there really wasn't any incentive to "cheat," or whether they were really focusing on elite competitors. Summarizing their response, they said that they were interested in all levels and that if they could catch you, they would make sure you were toast.

So, I filed the ATUE. It wasn't that big a deal. I never heard anything back. So, in Sacramento, I asked the USADA rep whether there was something that we should have gotten--a card or something to show that we had registered. He said that we should have. However, it turns out that the USADA does not process ATUE's themselves; they forward them to the FIE. It is the FIE's responsibility to approve/deny ATUE's.

On the face of it, it appears that the FIE won't process an ATUE unless one is a FIE licensed competitor, so you can't get an approval from them as a normal USFA member.

The best that we have been able to do is carry a copy of the ATUE with us, only use the meds when really needed, and hope not to get tested.

Morion · 08-19-2005, 02:15 PM

While it is extremely unlikely I'll ever reach a level where I would be tested I'm curious about what the penalty is for refusing the test. Is it the same as failing or even more severe?

broncofencer · 08-19-2005, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morion

While it is extremely unlikely I'll ever reach a level where I would be tested I'm curious about what the penalty is for refusing the test. Is it the same as failing or even more severe?

With athletic events it is usually required as in can't refuse. thats why they put it in the athletes handbook. so there is probably not a penalty as such listed for refusal because you can't refuse. I suppose you could run away but then it is a failed test.

Morion · 08-19-2005, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broncofencer

With athletic events it is usually required as in can't refuse. thats why they put it in the athletes handbook. so there is probably not a penalty as such listed for refusal because you can't refuse. I suppose you could run away but then it is a failed test.

They are hardly going to incarcerate you until you cooperate.

I'm guessing a refusal would get you banned the same as a failure. I'm just curious if there are any added penalties involved. I'm diabetic btw and Insulin is a banned substance.

mfp · 08-19-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcmdale

A couple of years ago, after reading a newspaper article about a local Y-14 fencer who got the 2-year boot for popping a Pseudofed for a head cold and then medaling in Cadets, I asked the USADA about their focus.

Poor kid -- Pseudoephedrine is permitted these days.

http://www.usantidoping.org/dro/sear...isciplineId=11

broncofencer · 08-19-2005, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morion

They are hardly going to incarcerate you until you cooperate.

I'm guessing a refusal would get you banned the same as a failure. I'm just curious if there are any added penalties involved. I'm diabetic btw and Insulin is a banned substance.

true, though someone was saying in another thread how they had to sit and wait for like four hours until they could "go" for the test and they were not allowed to leave the testing site.
my guess is that your placing is removed from the score sheet (ie Black Card)and you would be suspended UNTIL you took one. then be required to take one at every comp. or at least see your name on the random test sheet more often.