Reports indicate the Osaka, Japan, track runs fast. A great battle is expected between Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay, which might produce a record at the upcoming IAFF World Games.
Other records may fall, however two world record appear safe, and have for over 20 years. They are the womens 400 M at 47.60 held by East German Marita Koch, and the women's 800M held by the Czech Jarmila Kratochvílová at 1:53.28 Koch set her record in 1985, and Kratochvilova in 1983.
The obvious issue is that both women's records appeared from Iron Curtain runners, in an era when the Soviet Bloc countries doped like crazy. Both records were set at points when anti-doping measures, if present at all, were easily defeated (as accomplished by the East German doping machine). Both records have never been approached since they were set. From The Final Sprint:
Rumors of drug use by both Kratochvílová and Koch persist, their best marks having come during the heyday of the Cold War when nationally-sponsored doping programs within the Iron Curtain were rampant. It should be noted, however, that
neither neither athlete ever tested positive for PED’s and both records are still considered to be official by the IAAF.
The same goes for many of the field events, especially the throws, which benefit greatly from the use of anabolic steroids. Most of the world records in the throws were set between the mid 80’s and the early 90’s,
the same controversial time period during which the women’s 400m and 800m marks discussed above were set.
Take a look at Kratochvílová's photo's, left. Is anyone going to contend that this is a 'clean' woman's athlete? Compare with photos of Sebastian Coe (above), and the men's world record holder Wilson Kipketer (below) at the right. The woman appears more muscular than
Coe. And this is a women with female type testosterone levels. Right.
That's the sad thing about 'steroid eras'. The performance enhancement cheats other competitors out of opportunity. Again, is the competition between athletes, or is the contst between their pharmacists and trainers?
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