Olympics: Backstrom out final game for banned substance in allergy meds (mod warning post 140)

[BigZ65]

Because they ban a substance nobody else bans for superficial reasons. The IOC is so corrupt and has such ridiculous policies. It's all embarrassing.

It's banned by WADA, not the IOC. I spent 5 years under random drug testing playing football, there's a million things that are banned, we were reminded of it everyday and had a seminar at the start and end of each season. Many of them are innocuous if they aren't being used maliciously, but there are people using these seemingly innocuous substances intentionally to gain an advantage or mask something else used to gain an advantage.

There is no way that these guys and the staff of the teams can be ignorant of it. Most embarrassing for them.

 

[BalticWarrior]

This is complete BS just like in our case with Vitalijs Pavlovs,IOC is just imitating "war on steroids" after that whole Armstrong embarrasment,they have to do SOMETHING,right?

 

[Rocko604]

That's ****ing brutal.

 

[ru4reals]

You gotta be kidding me! So freakin stupid! Wow I think imma gonna go pop a few now didn't know it was a sports inhanciing drug! What a joke!

 

[Namejs]

The list of banned substances is ridiculous.

Equating taking Claritin (Backstrom) or taking food supplements (Pavlovs) with PEDs is just stupid.

They shouldn't take away his medal.

 

[DaveH]

By official rules - no. He can't even say he participated in these Olympics.

http://sports.espn.go.com/olympics/winter/2010/icehockey/news/story?id=4954249

 

[pesko]

Claritin does not have pseudoephedrine, only the Clairitin-D variant does, and it's something that shouldn't be taken regularly. As an Olympic athlete, he should've been prescribed a pill that only contains antihistamine. Somebody messed up.

 

[Kibb]

that sucks if he doesn't get his medal, because of damn allergy medicine

 

[FastViktorFasth]

He have used same medicin in 7 years..

 

[Exarz]

http://sports.espn.go.com/olympics/winter/2010/icehockey/news/story?id=4954249

Hey, nice avatar picture!

Anyways, I feel really bad for Bäckström. It feels like it's the medical staff's fault that he missed the game..

 

[hyperion]

that sucks if he doesn't get his medal, because of damn allergy medicine

Well, think about the Finnish team of 1974 WC, who all lost their bronze medals through goalie's allergy medicine.

Yeah, second and the last time I will mention this.

 

[Tomas W]

This is not Backströms fault, most likely, its the Swedish staff that missed big time. They should have 110% control on what medications the players might have and if it legal or not.

Disaster really.

 

[wpgallday1960]

Man, I feel bad for Backstrom. Sometimes Oly rules are just too strict. Never any intent to cheat.

 

[hisgirlfriday]

There are allergy medicines that don't contain pseudoephedrine.

And many of them aren't effective or have other negative side effects for some people.

I suffer from allergies but the only allergy medication I can take and actually function is that which contains pseudoephedrine because antihistamines make me completely drowsy.

 

[Le Golie]

Very unfortunate if true. Poor guy. Tainted image for a simple error that he should have been made aware of long ago.

 

[darkbrew*]

I told my 8 year old son this today. Backstrom is his favorite player. He ran to his room crying after he learned it was due to a drug that he won't be playing. He is heartbroken right now that his hero would do such a thing.

 

[Tomas W]

Is this a legal substance in the NHL? Yes I take it?

 

[Darth Bangkok]

jeez, I take those when I want to sleep. How in the world is that a banned substance?

 

[Sher-Wood]

This is not Backströms fault, most likely, its the Swedish staff that missed big time. They should have 110% control on what medications the players might have and if it legal or not.

Disaster really.

It's possible he took Claritin against his migraine before anyone could stop him.

 

[ByeBye]

And many of them aren't effective or have other negative side effects for some people.

I suffer from allergies but the only allergy medication I can take and actually function is that which contains pseudoephedrine because antihistamines make me completely drowsy.

Well, then fill out a form, have it signed by some recognized doctors and send it to the WADA, they'll grant you an exceptional status. Problem solved.
Anyone blaming the WADA/IOC for this is just ridiculous.

 

[Tomas W]

It's possible he took Claritin against his migraine before anyone could stop him.

Yeah well of course I cant really tell what's happened. Sad day for Swedish hockey. Well apart for the Silver of course, that's good but. Darn.

 

[Konnan511]

Wow.. wonder where the blame lays with this, you think someone who plays in the NHL would ask the team before taking meds.

It lies solely on the player. He knows what he can and cannot take. If he's having allergies, he knows what he can take, if he is having headaches, he knows what he can take. I suspect there's something else going on here.

 

[Tomas W]

Well, then fill out a form, have it signed by some recognized doctors and send it to the WADA, they'll grant you an exceptional status. Problem solved.
Anyone blaming the WADA/IOC for this is just ridiculous.

No its not WADA/IOC fault. Its either Backis own fault or the Swedish staffs fault or both.

 

[FloydTheBarber]

People feel sorry for Backstrom? He and staff made a huge blunder, as a professional how does he not know these risks?

He let his team and country down, he deserves to feel bad.

 

[MikeK]

crazy situation.