''It is like doping and some people are prepared to (do it to) cheat,'' said the ParalympicsGB chef de mission Craig Hunter of the practice which involves extreme measures such as strangling their own testicles, breaking bones, stimulating muscles with electric shocks or blocking catheters.
''We run an education programme for athletes and our athletes are fully aware we do not encourage boosting in any way shape or form.''
The resulting pain from self-inflicted injuries boosts blood pressure, heart rate and adrenalin levels in athletes with spinal cord damage much the same way as doping practices, says Hunter.
The International Paralympic Committee has been aware of the practice – technically called induced autonomic dysreflexia – for nearly 20 years and have introduced blood pressure tests in the warm up areas before competition to try and stamp out the practice.
Officials say they will withdraw anyone right up to the moment of competition at the London Paralympics if they believe their blood pressure is at dangerous levels. Extreme blood pressure could induce a heart attack or stroke.
An anonymous survey at the Beijing Paralympics four years ago found that one in six athletes admitted to the practice – mainly from wheelchair rugby, the marathon and long distance racing. This is because the heart rate and blood pressure in spinal victims doesn't increase in the same way as other athletes.
"There have been times where I would specifically give my leg or my toe a couple of really good electric shocks" Brad Zdanivsky, a Canadian quadriplegic climber told the BBC.
"That would make my blood pressure jump up and I could do more weights and cycle harder – it is effective.
"I tried several different ways of doing it. You can allow your bladder to fill, basically don't go to the bathroom for a few hours and let that pain from your bladder do it.
"I took it a notch further by using an electrical stimulus on my leg, my toe and even my testicles."
Zdanivsky knows of the extreme risks but says Paralympic athletes are attracted to the practice because of the instant results.
He said: "It can actually stop your heart. It's very unpleasant, but the results are hard to deny. The saying is that winners always want the ball, so it doesn't matter if it's unpleasant, it gets results."
IPC spokesman Craig Spence said boosting was an unacceptable practice.
"There have been times where I would specifically give my leg or my toe a couple of really good electric shocks" Brad Zdanivsky, a Canadian quadriplegic climber told the BBC.
"That would make my blood pressure jump up and I could do more weights and cycle harder – it is effective.
"I tried several different ways of doing it. You can allow your bladder to fill, basically don't go to the bathroom for a few hours and let that pain from your bladder do it.
"I took it a notch further by using an electrical stimulus on my leg, my toe and even my testicles."
Zdanivsky knows of the extreme risks but says Paralympic athletes are attracted to the practice because of the instant results.
He said: "It can actually stop your heart. It's very unpleasant, but the results are hard to deny. The saying is that winners always want the ball, so it doesn't matter if it's unpleasant, it gets results."
IPC spokesman Craig Spence said boosting was an unacceptable practice.
Paralympics 2012: athletes warned about the dangers of self-harming to boost performance - Telegraph
LINK: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/paralympics-gb/9494797/Paralympics-2012-athletes-warned-about-the-dangers-of-self-harming-to-boost-performance.html
No comments:
Post a Comment