its a runner up medal who cares...does he really want one to remind him how get got disqualified from the games and his team got their asses kicked?
I honestly can't believe people still have this opinion. Winning a medal regardless of color is a great achievement. Sure they lost the gold medal game, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be proud for getting that far. That's like saying a player should feel shame for getting to the Stanley Cup finals only to come up short in the end. It's not like Backstrom was there in 2006 either, so this is his first medal at the Olympics. It's also not like the Swede's were expected to win gold either, so 2nd place is probably higher than he expected anyway. It's just such a foolish opinion to have that the Swede's and Fin's should not be excited for meddling, did you see how happy the players from Finland were after they beat the Americans for bronze? That's exactly how the Swedish players will probably feel once they get over the loss in a few days.
Last edited by trackercowe; 02-24-2014 at 04:29 PM.
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He should have informed the IOC/WADA that he was taking this and filled out the forms. Talking to Team Sweden doctor does none of that. Visnovsky filled out the proper paperwork and passed two subsequent tests. Nowhere does it say that Backstrom informed the IOC, he discussed it with the Team Sweden medical team. Everybody is making assumptions that he did all of the proper stuff, maybe we should all wait until his B sample is tested and if the level is as high and if it is then there is more to this than Backstrom is saying. I feel sorry that he missed the game but all of the players are given a list of things to avoid and he chose not to, so it's on him.
I would suggest reading up on the situation first.
Backstrom provided the urine test in question on Wednesday, after the Swedes' quarterfinal win over Slovenia. He alerted doping officials that he was taking the medication.
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he had spoken to IIHF doctors before the Olympics and they agreed the one pill a day dose that Backstrom was taking -- and had been taking for a number of years -- would not put him in any danger regarding a positive test.
he’s been tested twice by the NHL and once by the IOC this season and by other international governing bodies in previous hockey tournaments. He’s never been suspended or ruled ineligible due to a banned substance.
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When he took his doping test, Backstrom listed Zyrtec-D as one of the drugs he had taken in the last seven days.
So while you sit there and suggest people are making assumptions on him doing the proper stuff (which he did), I would suggest to you to stop making assumptions on what he did not do.
After failure of the first sample, the reaction was proper. However, had procedure been followed properly then the other sample would've come back, and they would have actual evidence of the mistake being more severe. The issue isn't on Backstrom failing, it's in his sample not being tested in the proper time frame, and being pulled from the game despite it. Tests are to be ready in 48 hours, and those who test over are to be allowed a second test. Neither happened.
Why bring up Visnovsky as someone who followed the rules, when the only difference between them is that Backstrom's first test took two days longer than it was supposed to, making it impossible for him to have the second results come in like Visnovsky had?
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I honestly can't believe people actually think a player should be banned from playing because he takes allergy medicine.
Pseudoephedrine works similar to ephedrine just not as potent, so yea some people will definitely get a boost out of it. Either way if you take a med, you better know how your body metabolizes it and how it might show up in a test when that med is on the WADA list. Especially since it has been an issue with other athletes in the last few years.
Just because it's an allergy med doesn't mean it's innocuous.
I bet quite a few of team Swedens players will enjoy their medal, it is the biggest international tournament in terms of prestige.
As for Bäckström, this is his first olympic medal, if he gets to keep it, that is. Sure he will enjoy it.
Like Karlsson who joked that he would put it on ebay
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1. Backstrom provided the urine test in question on Wednesday, after the Swedes' quarterfinal win over Slovenia. He alerted doping officials that he was taking the medication.
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2. he had spoken to IIHF doctors before the Olympics and they agreed the one pill a day dose that Backstrom was taking -- and had been taking for a number of years -- would not put him in any danger regarding a positive test. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-pu...192042689.html
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3.he’s been tested twice by the NHL and once by the IOC this season and by other international governing bodies in previous hockey tournaments. He’s never been suspended or ruled ineligible due to a banned substance.
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4.When he took his doping test, Backstrom listed Zyrtec-D as one of the drugs he had taken in the last seven days.
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I will address each of the points and then I am done.
1. Backstrom took the urine test after the game and [B]informed the testers that he had taken the medication[B]- he should have informed the IOC and WADA before the Olympics, there is a form to tell them, not during testing.
2. he had spoken to the IIHF doctors before the Olympics - he should have still filled out the proper paperwork. This sounds, to me anyway, that he knew it was wrong before the games and asked a question. The doctors, without knowing the exact usage, told him that if he took 1 per day he should be OK. Apparently he took more than one per day.
3. the NHL doesn't test for pseudoephedrine so this is a non factor and he probably passed his IOC test. Great, but he failed the IN Competition test. Not the IOC fault, it is HIS fault.
4. Again, he should have filled out the proper forms BEFORE the competition started, which is what Visnovsky did in 2010. Backstrom's sample, being above the allowable dosage, without prior notification makes it appear he is trying to hide something from the tester. If, as he says, he mentioned it after/during his testing on Wednesday it probably sounded the alarm for WADA to test for substance.
As has been stated numerous times in this thread, and others, many hockey players take Sudafed for a "boost" before games. The problem in this instance is the IOC doesn't allow it, they tell the athletes it is a banned substance over certain levels because WADA/IOC understand that if an athlete has actual allergies and proper dose (properly identified BEFORE competition) is a non-factor. When an athlete tests above the allowable dosage then the powers that be have only two assumptions that they can make, the athlete is using it as a performance enhancer or using it to mask other banned substances. As I have stated before I feel bad that he had to miss the game but by Backstrom telling the tester that he had taken the drug while he was being tested Wednesday he knew it was going to show on the drug test and shouldn't have been surprised if he was pulled right up to game time.
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I honestly can't believe people still have this opinion. Winning a medal regardless of color is a great achievement. Sure they lost the gold medal game, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be proud for getting that far. That's like saying a player should feel shame for getting to the Stanley Cup finals only to come up short in the end. It's not like Backstrom was there in 2006 either, so this is his first medal at the Olympics. It's also not like the Swede's were expected to win gold either, so 2nd place is probably higher than he expected anyway. It's just such a foolish opinion to have that the Swede's and Fin's should not be excited for meddling, did you see how happy the players from Finland were after they beat the Americans for bronze? That's exactly how the Swedish players will probably feel once they get over the loss in a few days.
They didn't just lose the gold medal game...they lost it and he was pulled from the final game for an illegal substance...that would take some shine off the silver. Players aren't ashamed of making it to the stanley cup final but they don't go around with the conference championship trophy (in fact they don't even touch the damn thing most times)
I guarantee you none of them think 2nd place is better than they thought therefore good enough.
the combination of the result and the events of the last game make me seriously question if he wants a medal anyway. If he does he can buy Karlsson's off ebay
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I'm certainly no expert on the subject, but isn't the whole idea of controlling usage and careful testing for these types of OTC drugs done because the test results closely mimic other performance enhancers?
Backstrom took the urine test after the game and [B]informed the testers that he had taken the medication[B]- he should have informed the IOC and WADA before the Olympics, there is a form to tell them, not during testing.
he had spoken to the IIHF doctors before the Olympics - he should have still filled out the proper paperwork. This sounds, to me anyway, that he knew it was wrong before the games and asked a question. The doctors, without knowing the exact usage, told him that if he took 1 per day he should be OK. Apparently he took more than one per day.
Again, he should have filled out the proper forms BEFORE the competition started, which is what Visnovsky did in 2010. Backstrom's sample, being above the allowable dosage, without prior notification makes it appear he is trying to hide something from the tester. If, as he says, he mentioned it after/during his testing on Wednesday it probably sounded the alarm for WADA to test for substance ... by Backstrom telling the tester that he had taken the drug while he was being tested Wednesday he knew it was going to show on the drug test.
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure why you're ragging on Backstrom while defending Visnovsky. I don't think you understand the procedure.
Visnovsky declared Advil Cold & Sinus ONLY on his Doping Control Form, a form filled put just prior to the test. The SAME form Backstrom declared Zyrtec D on. There was no earlier notification that you're falsely claiming Visnovsky gave. They both declared the medication at the EXACT same time.
The Doping Control Form, the only paperwork filled out by either Visnovsky or Backstrom, is issued at the time of the test. Not before.
You're wrong about Visnovsky, and you're making some interesting allegations about Backstrom while having a pretty weak understanding of doping regulations, doping control, WADA procedures, or even this situation in general really.
You have literally zero evidence that Backstrom took more pills, was trying to hide something, knew the drug would show on the test, or that he knew he was doing something wrong.
Your whole post is either wrong, or filled with your own misinformed assumptions that you're trying to pass off as fact. Pretty weak IMO.
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I have no idea why we are still having this discussion. Backstrom apparently has an allergy problem and takes medication. The allergy medication Backstrom takes is a banned substance which Backstrom is apparently aware of. While I don't believe Backstom took the allergy pills for the purpose of gaining an edge against his competition, at the same time the allergy pill does increase Backstrom's performance and he failed the drug test.
Again, Backstrom failed the drug test and was properly prevented from playing in the gold medal game. Backstrom isn't this big cheater but he did screw up.
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I can't believe there is so much venom being spewed at Backstrom. If this happened to any Canadian player or Calgary Flame you would realize how ridiculous this is. You guys speak like PhD Toxicologists yet none of you are
The IOC really botched this one. It's a well known fact that some medicines, especially towards allergies has a tendency to have 'carry over effects', especially when they are consumed on a regular basis over an extended period of time.
Not only did they fail to establish whether his test values were a result of a natural long term consumption or not. They also failed in establishing whether Backs suffered from dehydration at the time when the test was conducted. Had two separate tests been carried out when Backstrom was both hydrated as well as dehydrated the results would lead you to believe that you were looking at the tests of two completely different human beings. That is how much these tests differ as a result of dehydration.
I'm personally taking meds featuring Pseudoephedrine on a daily basis during the summers due to my allergies towards various types of pollen. I've personally been reminded by my doctor at a couple of occasions to be careful about consuming Pseudoephedrine at scheduled times, if I was dehydrated the day before, as the extra concentration carrying over, combined with the next dose could cause minor emotional spikes.
This sort of explains why Pseudoephedrine is classified by some organizations as performance enhancing as it obviously has the ability to make you a bit more aggressive, which on the ice could express itself in a positive way.
Regardless IOC's methods of handling this incident is laughably poor. I feel bad for Backs. Hope he finishes his NHL season on a strong note . If this is how professional athletes are to be treated for representing their country, Id rather watch AHL and minor league hockey than having to see athletes getting their careers shattered by muppet show organizations.
No...I don't know the specifics of how all of this unfolded....just like all of you...but take off the red maple leaf colored glasses and realize just how ridiculous this is. If I were to take any kind of PED.....pseudo is the last thing on my list of things to take. What a joke
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I can't believe there is so much venom being spewed at Backstrom.
Venom? No, not really. Disappointment? Certainly.
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If this happened to any Canadian player or Calgary Flame you would realize how ridiculous this is.
Once again, that is an intellectually bankrupt argument. I would be just as disappointed if Crosby or Smid or Carter or Berra tested positive the same way. They ALL know the rules. They all know the rules can be extreme in some cases. They all know the risk of violating that rules.
Once again, that is an intellectually bankrupt argument. I would be just as disappointed if Crosby or Smid or Carter or Berra tested positive the same way. They ALL know the rules. They all know the rules can be extreme in some cases. They all know the risk of violating that rules.
To be fair, I don't think the argument is quite as "intellectually bankrupt" as you repetitively claim it to be.
I don't believe all of people here on the anti-Backstrom side are without venom or intellectually sound enough not to have their viewpoint swayed by a more favourable player. Just look at the one guy who constantly mentioned Visnovsky favourably, when the situations are no different at all. You're speaking for an awful lot of people you don't know when you suppose the basis of their arguments.
Regarding Backstrom, yes, they all know the rules. However, IOC knows the rules as well. Backstrom listed a medication that had a banned substance in it, so it would be logically pertinent that they test within the REQUIRED time frame in order to allow his B sample to be tested, if necessary. It's not like Backstrom specifically did anything wrong, which is what makes all those calling him a cheat and even those who are "disappointed" in him a little bit out of touch. He failed a test. He didn't cheat and he didn't hide medicine, no, he properly claimed his medicine after consultation with SOC and IIHF and had the right to a second test in the event of failure. There is good reason why the SOC, IIHF, NHLPA, and NHL are all supporting Backstrom. Do you see the IIHF supporting Pavlovs?
The "they all know the rules" argument is fairly intellectually bankrupt itself. Of course they all know the rules, but it doesn't actually have any bearing on this situation. He took an APPROVED medication which the IOC was fully informed of. Be disappointed FOR him, not OF him.
So while you sit there and suggest people are making assumptions on him doing the proper stuff (which he did), I would suggest to you to stop making assumptions on what he did not do.
After failure of the first sample, the reaction was proper. However, had procedure been followed properly then the other sample would've come back, and they would have actual evidence of the mistake being more severe. The issue isn't on Backstrom failing, it's in his sample not being tested in the proper time frame, and being pulled from the game despite it. Tests are to be ready in 48 hours, and those who test over are to be allowed a second test. Neither happened.
Why bring up Visnovsky as someone who followed the rules, when the only difference between them is that Backstrom's first test took two days longer than it was supposed to, making it impossible for him to have the second results come in like Visnovsky had?
What FACTS are you utilizing? Everything you have quoted or stated are what Backstrom has said. The key point is he FAILED the test. If he is innocent of a simple oversight, like Ben Johnson SAID he was, then it was too bad that he had to miss the game. If the B sample (It is not another test for your info, the original sample is split into two testing beakers so if the first one is over the limit they can test the second one to prove or disprove the original test) comes back as failing also then he is guilty.
Every athlete that is caught with high samples, whether they are PED's, masking agents, blood doping or testosterone all say the same things, "I didn't take anything", "it must have been in my supplements", "someone tampered with the results", etc. I have yet to see one athlete beat or overturn the WADA results (I may be wrong but I can't recall one off the top of my head). The instructions on the medication even say "do not take for more than 3 consecutive days". Migraines are a bitch but high end professional athletes, that are going to compete in the Olympics, know what is allowed, what they are putting into their bodies and know they are going to be tested.
I have stayed away from calling him a cheater and will continue to stay away from that, but if the B Sample comes back positive also then there is no other option. He knew what he was using, he knew it was wrong and he got caught, period.
What FACTS are you utilizing? Everything you have quoted or stated are what Backstrom has said. The key point is he FAILED the test. If he is innocent of a simple oversight, like Ben Johnson SAID he was, then it was too bad that he had to miss the game. If the B sample (It is not another test for your info, the original sample is split into two testing beakers so if the first one is over the limit they can test the second one to prove or disprove the original test) comes back as failing also then he is guilty.
Every athlete that is caught with high samples, whether they are PED's, masking agents, blood doping or testosterone all say the same things, "I didn't take anything", "it must have been in my supplements", "someone tampered with the results", etc. I have yet to see one athlete beat or overturn the WADA results (I may be wrong but I can't recall one off the top of my head). The instructions on the medication even say "do not take for more than 3 consecutive days". Migraines are a bitch but high end professional athletes, that are going to compete in the Olympics, know what is allowed, what they are putting into their bodies and know they are going to be tested.
I have stayed away from calling him a cheater and will continue to stay away from that, but if the B Sample comes back positive also then there is no other option. He knew what he was using, he knew it was wrong and he got caught, period.
I thought you were done talking on the issue?
So nobody has ever overturned the WADA results, but Visnovsky did just that four years ago? Exactly what are you using to build your arguments? I've quoted and cited actual IOC and WADA documents, Backstrom, the SOC, IOC, and IIHF. You've quoted... nothing. Just your own opinions.
You seem to enjoy moving the goalposts. First Backstrom was hiding it but Visnovsky was ok because he filled out the forms, I pointed out Backstrom filled out the forms, and now it's about how you can't take the substance at all.
Zyrtec D is an approved medication by the IOC. Period.
Why are you even comparing Ben Johnson and Nicklas Backstrom? That to me serves only to demonize Backstrom, or shows a complete lack of understanding. Ben Johnson took steroids, and had denied taking steroids. Backstrom took an IOC approved allergy medication, fully noted he was taking said allergy medication, and tested over from the allergy medication he SAID he was taking. Not really the same, but let the ignorant comparisons and assumptions continue.
Some of you are laughable...
