- Joined
- Dec 8, 2004
That is understandable. There are many unanswered questions about that period, particularly with regard to the extent of Jutta Muller’s duplicity and the frequency of blood doping practices among GDR figure skaters. However, it is common knowledge that the GDR had no regard for the safety of its athletes when it came to illegal substances. I feel that the circumstances of GDR figure skating raise strong suspicions of foul play because the program produced 3 consecutive ladies’ gold medals during a period when doping was rampant, and once the infrastructure that supported doping and manipulation was dismantled, there were no subsequent successes.soogar said:I don't know about your take on Jutta, Brad.
I do feel the analogy to Russia is valid because the Soviets had a similar system with regard to recruiting promising youth and competing on the basis of national pride, but even after economic and political upheaval the sound fundamentals and talent were sufficient to continue to produce champions.
I agree with you that the Canadians are largely biased, but I feel there is truth to Toller Cranston’s accounts of the Lake Placid Games and his experience as a commentator in his first two autobiographies, and the chapter about Katarina in one of his recent books, where he discusses her as a symbol for the troubled athletes of the GDR and recounts his conversations with GDR figure skaters over the years.
For me, there are too many red flags to be explained, and I find it somewhat twisted to look wistfully back at the days of the GDR and even express hope that those days would return. I hope that there will be an official investigation into the GDR practices with regard to figure skating. In any case, the athletes were victimized and do not deserve to have their accomplishments undermined, but the coaches and officials should be exposed as the thugs they were.
Joesitz said:I wouldn't blame the E.Germans for initating the huge size difference between the male and female Pairs team.
The ethical problem with the GDR pairs was not that they paired a big man with a small girl, but that they used harmful drugs to get the athletes at that size and keep them that way. That was not the case in other countries.
tdnuva said:brad... maybe I missed the hint - but I really begin to wonder where you got all those "infos" from. Were you lying under the bed or what??
I would rather face the GDR firing squad than find myself trapped under Muller and Grunwald’s bed.