Happy FriYAY Team!

Those who know me well, know my passion for keeping our sport free of drug cheats. Regardless of the sport, we should all be participating on the same level and keeping our sport clean from performance enhancers.

Over the years, numerous athletes, both professional and amateur, have tested positive for inadvertently ingesting substances, which they either did not check on the Informed Sports Checklist, or had a combination of substances which when mixed together become a cocktail of a prohibited nature. Whilst I do have empathy for these athletes who, whilst they should know what they are consuming, were unintentional drug cheats.

It is the athlete who is a blatant drug cheat & liar and takes drugs with absolutely no respect or regard to their sport, their competitors or keeping sport clean, that 100% need to be banned from sport for a very lengthy of time, if not for life. 

A number of years ago when I was racing as an Elite at GCAM, I came across an athlete by the name of Zane Robertson. A Kiwi runner here for the marathon who was ranked in the Top 3 with a multitude of NZ and International records and wins. To me, he came across as arrogant, rude and egotistical, someone who had a chip on their shoulder. After the marathon, he was on a popular podcast I listen to and I had to turn the interview off as I could not stand to listen to him any more. In my opinion, just down right angry, rude and arrogant. 

Reading the sports news on Wednesday of this week, it didn't surprise me to read that Zane Robertson, the so-called Elite Marathon runner, has coped a huge 8 year ban for testing positive to EPO and falsifying the facts. Both his A & B Samples from an In Competition drug test returned positive. He then argued he tested positive because he went for a Covid Vaccination in Kenya where he resides, and was mistakenly injected with EPO. FFS! Really?? Once this was proven to be a falsification of the fact by various investigations and documentation, he did not contest the positive result.  EPO stimulates red blood cell production, and therefore will carry O2 more efficiently around the body. 

Reading some of the comments being left on social media from Zane 'trying' to defend his actions, with comments putting blame on other people, that he was 'pushed' into this situation is both so sad for the sport and sad that after how many years of cheating we will never know, that he can not even stand up and take ownership for his actions. 

Yes I am passionate about drugs in sport and keeping our sport free from cheats. The testers at ASADA & WADA do an amazing job in keeping a step ahead of these cheats, and hopefully by weeding out these low-lives, liars & cheats, maybe one day our sport will be completely drug free and we can all take pride in knowing those on start lines are clean & honest athletes doing what we do for the love of sport. 

Let's do This, 

Alli

Congratulations to all our Multisport Gold Team on the start line of Kingy Tri on Sunday! We certainly were blessed with the weather, making for a really enjoyable day out & about Kingy! All of our athletes were there to have fun, tick their training boxes and cross the line positive & happy with their morning. Congratulations to those who made it to the podium, Matty T 3rd & Bangers 2nd in their age categories, Sean 2nd in the Clydesdales, Pete 2nd in the Aquabike and Coach Alli with a convincing win in her category. Numerous PBs achieved on the day, and what a brilliant way to round out the day than lunch at the Surf Club! Ticked all the boxes for sure!

This weekend we also have plenty going on! Saturday we have the Noosa Ultra Marathon event. Representing MSGold in the 25km with Justin L. Then tackling the 50km Ultra this year we proudly have Alan Alan Alan, Kahori & Eiji and Michelle! All have been training so consistently for this event so we know they will be on the start line ready to enjoy the amazing trails around the Tewantin & Noosa area.

Then...Sunday we have Hell of the West! Yes, there has been plenty of banter going on about this race, and we know come race day the MSGold Family is totally behind our athletes on the start line! With Kath & Marion on the start lines, we know these 2 girls are going to totally dominate and have the best races possible around this iconic and grueling course! Go the Girls! 

Entries also opened for GCM on Wednesday, make sure you use the Team Name Multisport Gold and Team Pin MSGold123 to be part of our Team over the race weekend! It is going to be interesting to see who is tackling various distances this year!

This Sunday, the IM & 70.3 Group Rides are all rolling out from Ox Lake at 5.30am. There is a variation of destinations for our groups this week, so please check on programs where you are heading!! 

Swim Squad is on Tuesday & Thursday at Coomera Anglican Aquatic Centre. Please arrive by 5.20am to go through the session and be in the water by 5.30am. 

Tuesday Track is at Griffith Uni this week again. Meeting at the Grandstand at 5.30pm for warm ups, with 6.00pm main set start. Passes are $4 and need to be purchased from the Uni Pool. 

Thursday Hills is on at Adidas Park on Reserve Road. Please arrive by 5.20pm to head out for the warm up at 5.30pm.

FriYAY KOFFEE KMs Departing Highland Reserve Roundabout at 5.15am, the M&L  Roundabout 5.20am and then Ox Lake at 5.30am. Destination is Driftwood at Paradise Point.