I rarely post doping stories because I prefer to chronicle positive accomplishments rather than scandalous ones. When I do post them it is usually when I am in a bad mood or when it is about the former East German government.This doping story comes out of the former communist nation once known as the German Democratic Republic. The GDR wasn't very democratic, nor very fun. It was a separate Germany unto itself existing as a puppet state for the former Soviet Union.
During it's existence, it was at odds with the Federal Republic of Germany until unification in 1990 to become one Germany under the FRG flag. (I bet only 40% of America knows that fact.)
It is a accomplished fact, or fait accompli if I am trying to sound smart; (which I am not), that the German Democratic Government systematically doped athletes without their knowledge or permission.
Accusations are flying that 6 time gold medalist, Kristin Otto, was doped when she won her numerous medals in Seoul, Korea in 1988. From the article:
"...Kristin Otto gave a clear statement in a letter to our superintendent in 2000 that she never knowingly or willingly doped," ZDF editor-in-chief Nikolaus Brender said. "As long as there is no evidence on the table, we stand by her." [Link]
I accept her story and feel none of her medals should be taken away but rather qualified and her records removed if a sample validates this accusation. This is not going to happen so presume her innocent.
Kirsten, if you are out there, send us a better photo.
Erik Hochstein commented:
I don't even know where to start on this one: How about this - you could not be any more wrong! {O_o}
I think it's very well documented that:
Every single East-German athlete that won medals was doped ( I believe the exception was something like figure skating.)
From talking to the athletes that defected; (we had one on the team and afterwards), they ALL KNEW what was going on.
They did have some choice in the matter, but only to a small degree. The girls were taken to the sports schools at such a young age that there was little they could do.
Having Kristin Otto as a sports commentator is an embarrassment to all sports -- I would for sure refuse to be interviewed by her until she comes "clean".
Well that shows me!!!
