Lengendary Canadian shot putter Bishop Dolegiewicz dies 'young'; Steroid shorted?

Legendary Canadian shot putter Bishop Dolegiewicz passed on to his eternal award last week.  The large shot putter admitted to the infamous Canadian Dubin Commission that he utilized steroids when competing. (New York Times from 1989).  Bish was a frequent Olympian, who's records were wiped out when his drug use was exposed.  By all accounts he was a good guy.

''At the higher levels of competition,'' he said of the throwing events of track and field, ''I would be hard-pressed to find the name of an individual who hasn't used steroids.''

Although the athlete himself, his friends, and reasonable medical opinion strongly speculate that the drugs cut his life short, denial continues to reign at this level.  (to The Star)

Canadian shot putter Bishop Dolegiewicz, a three-time Olympian who had a larger-than-life personality to match his mountainous physique, died Tuesday night in his sleep at the age of 55.

Dolegiewicz, a Toronto native who starred at Parkdale Collegiate, won two gold medals at the Pan Am Games, two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and 13 medals at Canadian championships. He was 11th at the 1984 L.A. Olympics and fourth in 1980 in a world's strongest man contest.

He was later stripped of his Canadian shot put record after admitting during the Dubin Inquiry to using steroids for more than a decade.

Bis not only lost his medals, he lost his life early, leaving a 30 year-old widow.

Dolegiewicz, who had success as a coach at Southern Utah University, was suffering from cardio and circulation problems. He died in Lehi, Utah, leaving behind his wife Anna, 30, a thrower he coached.

Former teammate Bruce Pirnie said Dolegiewicz's testimony at the Dubin Inquiry, where he also admitted to supplying steroids to athletes, cost him his coaching job at the University of Saskatchewan and took a toll on his health. Justice Charles Dubin also died this week.

"It's definitely (a coincidence) that Bish and Justice Dubin should pass away at the same time," said Pirnie, adding that Dolegiewicz had a positive coaching legacy in Canada. "Saskatchewan still sees the benefit of Bish's imprint. They turn out more throwers than anyone in the country."

Former Canadian discus champ Rob Gray was saddened by the news. "Whatever you say about the guy, he was a great competitor, a mountain of a man and a great athlete," said Gray, who also admitted to steroid use. "He was a big, strong guy because he worked his butt off and showed us how hard you had to work to get to the next level. It's hard to call him a role model, but he was in some ways."

Dolegiewicz told the inquiry he regretted using steroids because of the toll it had on his mind and body and that as a coach he strongly warned athletes against them.

"I give people the examples of individuals that I have known that have gotten sick from the use of steroids and I try to come across and give the kids the message, `Look, you're going to pay the price at some point in time,'" Dolegiewicz said during his testimony.

Interesting that Bish's fellow athletes don't make a connection between 'roids, weight, cholesterol, high blood pressure, lowered HDLs and increased LDLs, all medical measures that bode harm in a big guy.

Pirnie said he had been pondering whether steroids had a role in Dolegiewicz's health issues. "I would be very surprised if there wasn't a connection," he said.

Gray said, "I suspect it has got a lot more to do with that he was a 6-foot-6, 330-pound man who was probably overweight."

Not to moralize too much on the high horse, however those athletes should consider reality when juicing.  Nothing comes free; that's not a moral lecture but a practical point.  A young athlete may feel life is forever, or that he will do anything to win even if it shortens life; however that is simply denial.  Dying (relatively) young is not a winner.

Comments

[sal m]

if my memory serves me correct, bishop was also a regular on the world's strongest man contests back when CBS and brent musburger broadcast them.

[bill]

I don't think it's healthy for anyone to weigh over 300 pounds- imagine the stress on the heart, etc. Sure, steroids probably played a part in all this, but I'll bet you'll see a lot of premature deaths among US football players, too, now that so many of them are in the 300 plus pound range.

[Steroid Nation]

There would be very few medical deaths where one factor and one factor only contributed to the result. Sure humans over 300 pounds would show more morbidity and mortality. However, the use of steroids (which as we said would increase weight, increase cholesterol, increase BP, lower HDL, increase LDL, increase glucose intolerance, etc) clearly, clearly, would be a major factor in the result. Thats the way biology rolls.

[Quinn Magnuson]

Wow...I just heard about this and I dont think, after reading all of the comments on here, that I can compare my story to thaose of you who knew Bish even better than I. I was a young HS shotput prodigy that had a lot of raw talent, but not much work ethic. I had thrown 15.90m (50ft??) as a HS freshman (12lb) and was introduced to Bishop as he was hired by the Saskatchewan TF Assoc in 1987. I had never heard of him and was scared to death of this "man" (mountain?) that wanted to coach me fulltime. Nevertheless I trusted the STFA and began training with Bishop in the Winter of 1987. He was a miracle worker... In 3 short months, I went frfom throwing 15.86m with the 4k SP to 16m with the 12lb HS shot. My bench was 170 for 8 in December and 250 for 6 by July. But stats were not all. My confidence levels for a big awkward (out of shape :)....) young man soared as Bishop not only taught me the ways of the circle but the lessons in life. I credit BD for making me who I am today. Confident, cocky at times (just like Bish but with respect), and willing to help others as he helped me. Our relationship took us (and me ) to two World Junior CHampionships (88 and 90) where I placed respectably in SP (12th in 1990 - 16.73m).

There is something that has been mentioned in a lot ofo these comments but I want to make perfectly clear. Despite the fact that BD was invovled with steroids in the 70s and early 80s, HE NEVER EVER brought the subject up with me or any other thrower in our group other than to say they were wrong. He grew up as an athlete in a time where steroids were accepted practice and he was part of the rule not the exception. He became the sacrificial lamb at the Dubin Inquiry and people (some friends) turned on him. That was sad.

Bishop, as I know your reading a lot of these, while downing a few "beverages", understand that I never doubted you and missed you terribly when you had to leave Saskatchewan because of all the "bad press".

He was a coach, mentor, father figure, gentle giant and best of all, a friend.

My prayers are with Anna and I look forward to the day I leave this world and can have another meal and a drink and a laugh with my friend, Bish.

Salut and God Bless

Quinn Magnuson

[Paul Ke]

I just wanted to add to the comments listed. Bishop was gentle giant in all that he did. I never trained with Bish and only knew Bish through my wife. We spent many a nights sharing dreams and aspirations long before his competition days were over back in the mid 1990s.

Thanks for the many great memories Bish! We will miss you and hope for the best in your after life travels! Look down on us with kindness!

Paul

[GILBERT]

BISHOP COULD BENCH 535 POUNDS AND DEADLIFT 8O4 POUNDS . 2 METERS TALL . QUITE A MAN .

[Vs]

I go to his high school right now, and saw his picture in a showcase in a hallway

[Hockey jerseys]

The world are going full of love!

[Womens Ugg Boots Uk]

situation shouldn't have harmful consequences, in order to

get the straight position in the vibration characteristics

[ed hardy uk]

the comments listed. Bishop was gentle giant in all that he did. I never trained with Bish and only knew Bish through my wife. We spent many a nights sharing dreams and aspirations long before his competition days were over back in the mid 1990s.