Mark Philpott’s Post

The CEO of WIC Europe, Peter Soldán, is not only a smart businessman, but also a successful athlete. In today's interview, we asked him about his relationship with sports, sports achievements, but also plans for the future. More in the article.

AND TODAYS SPORTING CHEAT IS.......Rodgers Kwemoi KENYA Track and field’s Athletics Integrity Unit said Kwemoi was stripped of seven years of results through August 2023 for a “deliberate, systematic, and sophisticated doping regime.” He lost his seventh-place finish at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, fourth place at the 2019 worlds in Qatar and his bronze medal result from the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Kwemoi also was stripped of the world junior title he won as a teenager in 2016 in a championship record time. The ban will expire in August 2029 when Kwemoi will be aged 31. As I continue my research for my upcoming book TRACK AND PILLS - a deep dive into todays world of sports doping, here are some of the questions I have been asked over the past week alone, * Do these athletes sponsors know that they are cheating? * Do these athletes Parents know that they are cheating? * Do these athletes National Federations know that they are cheating? * Do spectators even care anymore if an athlete is doping or not? * Do some sports protect those who have been involved in cheating in the past? * How many athletes at Paris 2024 are likely to be doped? * You will never stop doping in sport, why try? I am working hard to find the facts on all of the above, and so much more that is going on in the world of sports. If you would like to talk to me on or off the record about drugs in sport in 2024 then feel free to reach out. You may be an athlete who was beaten by a drug cheat. You may be an athlete who considered doping but didn't. You may be an athlete that saw something that eats away at you. You may be someone who just wants to right a wrong. #saynotodrugsinsports

Reading about Alysia Montaño's delayed recognition for her 2012 Olympic bronze medal is both heartbreaking and infuriating. Her story, as highlighted by CNN, sheds light on the profound and lasting impact of cheating in sports. As someone who has dedicated much of my career at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to combating doping and ensuring fair play, I understand the pain and sense of injustice that comes with knowing your rightful achievements were stolen from you. Montaño's experience underscores the need for continued vigilance and stronger measures against doping. It's not just about stripping medals from those who cheat; it's about restoring the honor and recognition that clean athletes deserve. The financial and emotional toll on athletes like Alysia is immense, and it's something we are continuing to address. At the IOC, we have always strived to uphold the integrity of sports. I am proud of the efforts we've made in enhancing anti-doping regulations and the medal reallocation process, ensuring that athletes like Alysia eventually receive their due recognition. However, this is a stark reminder that our work is far from over. To all athletes who compete clean: your perseverance and integrity are what truly uphold the spirit of the Olympic Games. We will continue to fight for a fair playing field, where every athlete’s hard work is honored and celebrated in real-time, as it should be. Link to original article: https://lnkd.in/dCi9GrFn #OlympicGames #FairPlay #AntiDoping #IOC #AthleteIntegrity #AlysiaMontano

Fitness and mental health is vital for an outstanding performance.

Reading about Alysia Montaño's delayed recognition for her 2012 Olympic bronze medal is both heartbreaking and infuriating. Her story, as highlighted by CNN, sheds light on the profound and lasting impact of cheating in sports. As someone who has dedicated much of my career at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to combating doping and ensuring fair play, I understand the pain and sense of injustice that comes with knowing your rightful achievements were stolen from you. Montaño's experience underscores the need for continued vigilance and stronger measures against doping. It's not just about stripping medals from those who cheat; it's about restoring the honor and recognition that clean athletes deserve. The financial and emotional toll on athletes like Alysia is immense, and it's something we are continuing to address. At the IOC, we have always strived to uphold the integrity of sports. I am proud of the efforts we've made in enhancing anti-doping regulations and the medal reallocation process, ensuring that athletes like Alysia eventually receive their due recognition. However, this is a stark reminder that our work is far from over. To all athletes who compete clean: your perseverance and integrity are what truly uphold the spirit of the Olympic Games. We will continue to fight for a fair playing field, where every athlete’s hard work is honored and celebrated in real-time, as it should be. Link to original article: https://lnkd.in/deVZBVhX #OlympicGames #FairPlay #AntiDoping #IOC #AthleteIntegrity #AlysiaMontano

Michael Phelps Says US Athletes Losing Faith in WADA Ahead of Paris Olympics US Olympic athletes, including Michael Phelps, have lost faith in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) just before the Paris Olympics. Phelps and fellow gold medalist Allison Schmitt testified before a House subcommittee, expressing frustration over WADA's handling of doping cases. Their testimony followed revelations that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance before the Tokyo Olympics but were still allowed to compete. Five of these swimmers won medals, including three golds. Schmitt, whose team lost to China in a close relay race, said many athletes are haunted by the possibility of competing against doped athletes. Phelps criticized WADA for its inconsistent enforcement and highlighted systemic problems. He warned that if changes aren’t made, the integrity of the Olympics is at risk. The US Anti-Doping Agency also called for reforms, suggesting future funding be conditioned on WADA’s improvements. Read more here https://lnkd.in/eqzE4qpa #michaelphelps #unitedstates #athlete #parisolympics #wada #sportnews

need to stop

The corruption of the World Anti-Doping Agency by China is not an isolated incident. Autocracies, such as China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, etc., view a rules-based order as a system to be infiltrated, corrupted, and gamed for their own advantage. This is a global issue, evident in numerous examples, from INTERPOL to the World Trade Organization to the World Health Organization to the United Nations. This is not unique to China. It is a basic approach by almost all autocracies. Remember the DDR? Russia has been particularly adept at cheating every system it is a part of. Of course, people from democracies also cheat. Who can forget the damage Lance Armstrong caused to cycling? But it tends to be at the individual level, not state-sponsored. What is truly unconscionable is how international organizations not only put up with the cheating but accommodate it. WADA is a clear example of that. But so is the IOC with its non-flagged athlete program. Lenin was right--it is easy to suborn democracies from the inside. #cheating #rulesbasedorder International Olympic Committee – IOC J. Scott Christian William Collins #china #sports #olympics2024 Hudson Institute https://lnkd.in/gEPHT8EQ

🚨Reflecting on Pogba's Doping Ban In a recent turn of events that has the football world buzzing, Paul Pogba, the Juventus and France midfielder, faces a four-year ban from football after testing positive for testosterone. This decision, handed down by Italy's anti-doping tribunal, has far-reaching implications not only for Pogba's career but also for the broader conversation around doping in sports. 🚫 Paul Pogba should have been one of the greatest footballers of our time. Yet, as we stand today, he represents the last of a particular type of player: those gifted with unparalleled talent but seemingly unable to fully realise their potential on the global stage. Pogba's recent four-year ban for doping marks a significant, if not tragic, milestone in what has been a career of dizzying highs and bewildering lows. 🤔 This prompts us to ask, how did Paul Pogba, with the world at his feet, find himself losing it all on the halfway line? What led to such a squandering of talent, and why is this story seemingly a recurring theme among many of his generation? Pogba's journey is symbolic of the immense pressures faced by today's athletes. From the weight of expectations to the constant public and media scrutiny, the path to greatness is fraught with potential pitfalls. The case of Pogba is not just about a fall from grace but serves as a mirror reflecting the challenges many young talents face in an era where potential can be both a blessing and a curse. This situation beckons a broader discussion on the mechanisms of support, guidance, and mentorship available to athletes in their formative years and throughout their careers. How do we, as a sports community, ensure that the next generation of talent does not falter similarly? What lessons can be learned from Pogba's story to help young athletes navigate the perils of professional sports? 🤲 I invite you to share your thoughts and perspectives on this matter. How can the sports world better support its stars in making the most of their gifts without succumbing to the pressures that have undone so many before? #BreakingNews #Football #Sport #News #Insights 

If you're thinking of picking up Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2024, you're going to need a gi. Check out my first gi review for a solid option here: