For the record, the words as sent to me Thursday by Travis Tygart re possible drug cheating by Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao:
“I have repeatedly said all athletes including Manny are clean and entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven otherwise through the established legal process. I believe it and I have repeatedly said it..”
I guess USADA CEO Travis Tygart and I won’t be exchanging Christmas gifts.
He feels he is not biased against Manny Pacquiao and is only trying to drag the Nevada boxing commission into the real world of random blood drug testing.
My perceptions are different.
I don’t view Tygart or his agency as redsuited guys with pitchforks.
I do see Tygart as a suit hustling his product and trying to make he and his agency a powerful force in a disorganized sport where the athletes have eununchs for managers, self-center promoters and no union to watch their backs like in the NBA, MLB, NHL and NFL.
The USADA’s aims and goals are noble enough but I don’t have to agree with Tygart’s bully boy tactics. If he wants it, I would be glad to loan him my copy of Dale Carnegie’s “How To Win Friends And Influence People.”
It’s the day after the lengthy NSAC hearing at which Dr. Robert Voy, Dr. David Watson and lawyer-PR person Tygart were the witnesses.
Dr. Voy, longtime Vegas physician is a former Chief Medical Office of the US Olmypic Committee and the author of a widely-referenced book on drug cheating in sports and how to clean it up.
Dr. Watson has long been associated with the NSAC and has a long boxing resume to go along with his medical qualifications.
Clearly, Tygart is not happy with how the hearing was conducted and with the testimony of the two doctors.
He makes it sound as though he thinks Nevada purposely “sandbagged” him.
But let me put this in his exact words, sent from his IPhone:
“The Commission asked me as the CEO to attend. Prior to the hearing, I explained if this was a science hearing, I would have our Chief Science Officer attend. I even offerred to find other competent non-USADA witnesses.
At the hearing, I offerred to have our Chief Science Officer or WADA’s speak with them because they clearly decided to dive into the medical and scientific areas of blood and HGH testing but did not have the appropriate scientific/medical witnesses who know the real state of the science other than me and I am not a scientist or doctor…..pretty sad on the Commission’s part attempting to get accurate information to make an informed decision.
Have no idea why you think the current drug testing should be kissed. There are standards the rest of the world have agreed to. Current standards in Nevada fall far short of even the basic standards and there is no legitimate reason if you care about clean athletes and the integrity of sport not to have the best standards in place. Like it or not.
The mouthpiece for clean athletes and integrity in sport”
Travis Tygart
The “kicked or kissed” reference is to my contention that Tygart should have used more honey and less vinegar in his presentation to the commission.
Now he seems to feel that Nevada circled its wagons in response to his continuing public jabs at their drug testing practices.
Maybe they have but why would anyone be surprised? Who could blame them, really?
The commission members could feel that Tygart has been outside their tent, shooting flaming arrows inward.
At the end of the day, I’m sure Tygart and I can agree that we want to see Pacquiao and Mayweather fight without either or both using any banned substances.
I think we can also agree that neither urine nor blood testing, totally random in application, is any kind of guarantee that a fighter has not put one over on everybody.
Just because master cheater and BALCO Boss Victor Conte is now supposedly on the side of the angels doesn’t mean there aren’t 1000 Victor Contes out there, working daily to thwart any and all testing techniques.
Finally, as a clarification, let me note that I never quoted Tygart as calling Pacman a drug cheater and that any confusion caused as to this was unintentional.
He never said such a thing but I won’t back down in saying he has given that impression to the world through implication and innuendo.
Tygart is no dummy but his prosecutorial mindset is not playing well in many quarters.
He is perceived as anti-Pacquiao, however unfair such perception that might be.
Anyway, let it be known that I hear TT’s cry.
Fair and balanced, balanced and fair, I use Fox News as my guiding light.
No wonder I’m such a dim bulb, er I mean such a bright light in boxing.
