In article , Thom
Stewart wrote:

PDW,

If that is the case, you would think they could test for it. I know
that long distance runners train at high altitude just to create that
condition.

No, they can't test for it yet. And you're right about the high
altitude training.

Also, I would be very interested about the group the cyclist were tested
against? Were they extreme training sports people or just other FAT
AMERICANS?

Cyclists against the population in general IIRC. Think about it, Thom.
The fat lazy Americans in their 20's and 30's don't as a rule have a
high incidence of strokes & heart attacks. If you have a group of fit
people with a noticeable deviation from the norm, and in a sport where
the use of things like EPO is common, and you know that the use of EPO
causes an increase in strokes & heart attacks......

I still don't take anything away from Lance. Even if he *was* using, so
what? Most likely a lot of his top competition in the race were, too,
and he still won.

IMHO they should have an 'open' class in 'sport' and allow those
'athletes' to take anything they want provided they agreed not to sue
anyone or ask for life support if/when their bodies packed up. Could be
entertaining and a lot more honest that things are now.

PDW