Gold Gold and Gold

Some sports people will stop at nothing to get GOLD.  Man, they're even worse than some of the international bankers and Royals who are obsessed--to the fringe of insanity and a danger to others--with GOLD. Status, elitism and patriotism.

The many, of course do not have such pretentions, but instead enjoy a GOOD game, a fair game, easy, relaxed, shared fun, even with a little competition to build with the co-operation. Unlike the sporting elite who as we have seen recently with characters like Lance Armstrong, lie, cheat and generally are not the kinds of sporting sportspeople they are painted as, by the corporate sponsors (products) and government sponsors.

Ah, anbody fancy a game?

love, fly

"There was an "increasingly desperate emphasis on gold", the report said, and morale dropped as the games unfolded without the anticipated medal haul.

Management appeared unprepared to tackle the absence of success, it said, leaving swimmers feeling "undefended, alone, alienated".
"Swimmers described these games as the 'Lonely Olympics' and the 'Individual Olympics'," the report said, adding that the lack of cohesion meant that poor behaviour went unchecked.
"Some individual incidents of unkindness, peer intimidation, hazing and just 'bad form' as a team member that were escalated to personal coaches were not addressed," it said.
"There were enough culturally toxic incidents across enough team members that breached agreements (such as getting drunk, misuse of prescription drugs, breaching curfews, deceit, bullying) to warrant a strong, collective leadership response that included coaches, staff and the swimmers."--http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21501881

Olympic Double Dope Standards

HI readers, and bleeders

I would not expect any kind of sensible and fair 'drug policy' from the strict Olympic dope police. But recently the issue of 'Marijuana' and SPORTS came up again and spread, like the Blueberry Cheese plant.

For some clarity i would ask the reader to consider the question of DOSE. Pot brownies (that Delpopolo claims to have ate) are often made with less than half a gram of cannabis, and a lower dose is better for having an enjoyable high, opposed to a strong Knock Out dose. Almost everybody i know has learnt this with Pot food.

One wonders about how sensitive the Olympic Drug tests are? how many 'particles or UNITS of cannabis' are allowed in the body. ZERO? or are a few allowed for naturally occuring cannabinoids. And what about naturally occuring DMT in the human brain? All athletes and humans, and many animals, birds, insects and plants have naturally occuring DMT (in varying amounts of UNITS) but trace amounts of it are actually present. Are the Olympic Dope Police aware of this fact? so as to build tests that overlook it? I digress.

I still dream that one day Michael Phelps and Judo fighter Delpopolo, and all the other Marijuana using athletes would come out in support (of small doses, maybe infrequent) but still, come out and say that, for them, Marijauna worked. In fact, these SPORTS characters are what the drug reform movement requires to boost the campaign for responsible drug use, and responsible drug policy. The debate should revolve around dose. Like the question how much SUGAR, how much MEAT and how much ALCHOHOL is healthy for each individual, and, can the individuals and their communities make THEIR OWN regulations based upon their practical knowledge and experience with all Drugs, foods, vitamins, drinks and special E-numbered additive sweeters?

Good day, thanks for bleeding.--Steve Fly

Delpopolo is 23, the same age Michael Phelps was when the swimmer was photographed inhaling from a marijuana pipe in 2009. Phelps, who never failed a drug test, apologized, received a three-month suspension from USA Swimming and is celebrated as the most decorated Olympian in history.

"That was evidence that he does do that," Lee said of Phelps during an interview with USA TODAY Sports on Monday. "And you're still going to be able to achieve your dreams regardless. Look at him. He's awesome. He's the best athlete ever in the Olympics. It's a double standard. If you already make a name for yourself, then what happens afterward really doesn't matter. … I'd rather have my situation (of not going) than getting kicked out of the Olympic Village" like Delpopolo.
-- http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/judo/story/2012-08-06/pot-athletes-testing-alcohol/56830434/1

No hope without dope (and some Dolphin DNA)

No Hope without Dope (how about whale DNA Mr Phelps?)

Hi, I would like to address two hot-potato's from the 2012 games so far, the doping acusation made by an American swim coach about a young Chinese record breaker, and the 'twitter' drama following a journalist twitting a 'semi-public' email address:

I would point out that the 'comment' from the swim coach did not require twitter to spread an 'unchecked' and 'subjective' message around the world, via the world press (FOX, NBC, CNN, BBC) that not only labels a 16year old girl as a 'drug user' but kicks up the whole Olympic doping debate. As far as i know the swim coach has not been banned from speaking to the world press, yet the twitter journalist is banned due to communicating somebodies email address who did not like that.

And my next point has already been put out there, nobody raised the alarm when Michael Phelps won 8 Gold medals in Beijing.

"I think it is not proper to single Chinese swimmers out once they produce good results. Some people are just biased," Jiang Zhixue, who leads anti-doping work at China's General Administration of Sport, told the state news agency Xinhua.

"We never questioned Michael Phelps when he bagged eight gold medals in Beijing."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/31/china-ye-shiwen-critics-olympics?newsfeed=true 

Ye Shiwen's world record Olympic swim: brilliant, or too good to be true?

For the wider public, and perhaps many people in the sport as well, it is a matter of debate and personal opinion as to whether Ye deserves the benefit of the doubt or not. There is no evidence to condemn her other than her own brilliance, and it is hard to judge a 16-year-old girl on the basis of that alone. Instinctively, many fans will want to believe in her talent. Others, scarred by years of doping revelations across a range of sports, would say that view is naive. Ye could simply be the shining light of the first products of the heavy investment the Chinese made in the sport before the Beijing Olympics. -- http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/30/ye-shiwen-record-olympic-swim?intcmp=239

#NBCFail: Backlash as Twitter locks out reporter Guy Adams

The Independent’s Los Angeles correspondent Guy Adams has account frozen after criticising US TV network.-- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nbcfail-backlash-as-twitter-locks-out-reporter-guy-adams-7987906.html

WATER HUMANITY SWIMMING LIFE SPORT FAIRNESS?

Simple swimming, but where can you swim these days?
forget about indoor pools for a moment
what of swimming free in the rivers, lakes,
oceans from which we came?

I am all for saving swimming baths and facilities
In the urban environment
From the deadudley hidden hands of urban redevelopment
And private sector movements,

But, and, we swimmers should not loose
sight of a future world environment
that is glaciated with access to clean Water,
Water to drink, Water to wash and Water to
Swim in.

Water full of nutrients and life,
a biological swimming facilitiy –
a reproductive and REAL lagoon with real fish and corals?
Plants and a living ecosystem.

In varying scales of magnitude,
humanity can realise this paradise using
the ancient models of Chinese, Indian, Greek
and Roman use of waterways for social functions.

I compose verse and prose about swimming
in the canal, or the cut (as we call it)
in and around the Black Country,
the river Stour, in jest at first.

Years pass and i realize that our water ways
are our life lines, both biological and man-made
water ways, water works and water
bathing facilities seem critical for social activity
in the community.

the list of benefits from swimming are endless
and the competition is good for excellence
Oh, but what of that so contorted and abused term:
sport?

The fair and sporting activity of sport,
The sportsmanship of playing a fair game,
A good game, a sporting game
in which you dedicated
everything you have
gave it your all...the sacrifice
of time and energy.

Opposed to SPORT the name tag
of some minister
or a section of the most unsporting of entities:
the tabloid NEWSPAPER
or a sports magazine, a T.V station
help.


Yes, we like good competition and a good game,
the spirit of play lies at the heart of
healthy economic strategy,
philosophy and some poetry,
and all music, sing a song with activities
widely known as popular sports.

I feel the immersive environment
of the given activity drying up,
no lagoon, no wetness,
not even a foot bath


just a slightly soggy idea about how to distribute
the survival tickets
that will buy the means to
make and break
the rules for a few of the elite authorities
in whatever water-world we’re floating in.

So maybe forget about saving
the old swimming baths of England,
start planning your own swimming bath
and swimming facility.
imagine them, a fresh natural water-world paradise,
imagengine them

Draw, sculpt and sew them, present the
model environment,
animate big and large and share your work
in the streets.

Paint our new utopias and write
our dreams and footnotes to the image
the Art game can capture sport
in a way the news game cannot, i rekon.

The music game captures hearts
in a way writing dreams of
together we stir the components up
show HOW TO.
cast your visions
for a new past present future

--Steve Fly 7/14/09 (edited 01/08/12)

LEGALIZE SPORTS DOPING.

http://hplusmagazine.com/digitaledition/2009-summer/

ANDY MIAH: SPORTS, DOPING AND THE ENHANCEMENT ENLIGHENMENT!

Phelps is yet another great role model for cannabis

To cont...(snipped from the west Oakland Leaf)

Phelps is yet another great role model for cannabis

By Paul Armentano* NORML

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps joins a growing list of successful Americans who enjoy marijuana during their down time. This tabloid news story made international headlines. Phelps is hardly alone in his herbal inclinations. According to national and federal surveys, nearly one out of two Americans have tried weed.

Consumers include people from all walks of life. America’s current President said he smoked cannabis regularly as a young man. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, former Vice President Al Gore, former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and astronomer Carl Sagan all admitted cannabis use.

According to the US government, 70 percent of current cannabis users are gainfully employed. Statistically, most cannabis users are successful academically and financially. A National Bureau of Economic Research study even reported that cannabis use is associated with earning higher wages.

Some former and current users — like Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson, Progressive Auto Insurance founder Peter Lewis, and New York State Mayor Michael Bloomberg — are even multi-millionaires.

Perhaps our fascination with this story is because Phelps is recognized as one of the most talented and successful athletes today. He holds the record for the most gold medals won by any athlete in history. Phelps isn’t an anomaly in this regard either. Many top athletes use cannabis off the field — noting that it helps them to relax after the excitement of sports competition and alleviate the pain from nagging injuries. It won’t leave them with a hangover or adversely impact their performance the next day.

A 2007 New York Times investigation estimated that up to 70 percent of pro-basketball players occasionally indulge in the use of pot. Many high profile football players — most notably Miami Dolphins star running-back Ricky Williams, former Dallas Cowboys all-star Mark Stepnoski, and even Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes have spoken candidly about their off-field cannabis use. Canadian snowboarder and 1998 Winter Olympics gold medal winner Ross Rebagliati tested positive for cannabis use in the days prior to his history-making performance.

There will always be some who will criticize Phelps because they believe the 14-time gold medalist is sending a poor message to young children—that you can smoke cannabis and still be successful in life. Well, sorry that the truth hurts.

According to a recent University of Alberta study, the majority of adults who use cannabis do so as a pastime to “enhance relaxation.” Researchers concluded that their use is intended to enhance leisure activities and manage the challenges and demands of living in contemporary modern society. Participants reported using cannabis because it enhanced relaxation and concentration, making a broad range of leisure activities more enjoyable and pleasurable.

No doubt Michael Phelps indulged in the use of cannabis for these very same reasons. He ought not to be condemned for it nor branded a criminal for his actions. For that matter, neither should anyone else.

* Armentano is Policy Analyst for NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Phelps, hypocrisy ... and the Kellogg’s boycott

By Bruce Mirken* Marijuana Policy Project

Cereal giant Kellogg’s announced in early February that it won’t renew Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps’ endorsement contract because he’s been photographed apparently smoking marijuana. While hypocrisy is hardly rare in American life, this struck many as a particularly egregious example.

It’s causing thousands of Americans to swear off Rice Krispies and other Kellogg’s products. A boycott endorsed by the Marijuana Policy Project, Drug Policy Alliance, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and others was launched in February.

“Michael’s most recent behavior is not consistent with the image of Kellogg,” a company spokesperson told Ad Age.

Bear in mind that in 2004, Phelps pleaded guilty to drunk driving. But apparently that offense — also illegal, and it actually might have resulted in someone being hurt or killed — was not an issue for Kellogg’s.

As of this writing, baseball star Alex Rodriguez had not lost any of his endorsement deals even after admitting use of banned steroids -- an overt attempt to cheat at his chosen sport.

That athletes drink is hardly news. If Phelps had been photographed hoisting a beer, no one would have said a word. Yet, there is simply no question that if one wants to relax with a mood-altering substance, cannabis is far safer than alcohol.

Alcohol is more addictive. According to the Institute of Medicine, 15 percent of those who ever drink become dependent on alcohol; for cannabis, it’s said to be nine percent (and for tobacco, 32 percent).

Alcohol is massively more toxic. Every year, people die from alcohol overdoses, too often in college drinking parties and the like. And the chronic effects of heavy alcohol use, like liver damage, kill thousands upon thousands more. There has never been a medically documented cannabis overdose fatality, and the chronic effects of even heavy cannabis use are relatively mild and decidedly non-lethal.

Unlike cannabis, alcohol tends to make users reckless, aggressive and violent. As a review in the journal Addictive Behaviors explained, “Alcohol is clearly the drug with the most evidence to support a direct intoxication-violence relationship. ... Cannabis reduces the likelihood of violence during intoxication...”

So a boycott is on. The reaction to MPP’s initial email alert about it was huge.

Realistically, boycotts are hard to pull off, and many more fizzle out than succeed. But cannabis consumers are a huge market: According to federal surveys, 100 million Americans acknowledge having used it, and nearly 15 million admit using it in the past month. And millions more who don’t use cannabis agree that prohibition is irrational and far more dangerous than cannabis itself.

If that sleeping giant has been awakened, it could get interesting; and Phelps could find new products to endorse.

* Mirken is director of communications for MPP , mpp.org

PRO DOPING OLYMPIC GAMES. METHLETICS. By Fly Agaric 23.

1. Shot Pot
2. Speed Skating
3. Bong jump
4. High Jump
5. Smack and field
6. Turn-Tableguinness
7. Marathon
8. Sailing (smuggling)
9. E-Question
10. Tipple-jump
11. Vollybowl
12. 100m Hash
13. Crackmington
14. L.S.Decathalon
15. Dopentathalon
16. E-Jumping
17. Gymhashsschticks
18. Olympic rowlling
19. Olympic Toxing
20. Shooting
21. Herowing
22. Judope
23. Trimethylathylon
24. Weight spliffting
25. Floor Routine: ROTFL