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Some guy won a million bucks for swimming 50m in a pool with a wetsuit on.
I know. Awesome, right? Should be stoked for the guy. He's Greek. He's an athlete. He broke a world record.
Problem is, he was taking performance enhancing drugs and the wetsuit was not legit. You wouldn't get away with that at the Olympics.
But what I can understand is the backlash, the tut-tutting, from the medical professionals and sporting bodies.
They're upset for two reasons:
1. These athletes are potentially putting themselves at risk, medically.
2. It undermines traditional non-doping sports.
On the first point, isn't that a bit rich?
Isn't it a bit hypocritical of the medical fraternity, who relies on medical trials of patients with sometimes unknown long-term consequences and risks.
This Greek guy just made a million bucks. That's money he can use to feed his family and change his life.
Are we really going to judge?
And as for the sport argument, name me a sport that doesn't result in long-term injuries or medical problems down the line - except for maybe competitive walking?
Especially at professional level. Is boxing 100% safe? Can rugby claim no concussions? How many horse riders you know are in wheelchairs?
I'm not saying there's anything wrong with sport being dangerous.
It's human nature - we love challenging ourselves and sometimes that challenge can lead to damage or death. We're thrill-seekers, essentially.
The enhanced games are basically that on steroids, literally.
If you don't like, don't watch, but don't judge a guy banking a million bucks just for going for a swim.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
By Newstalk ZBSome guy won a million bucks for swimming 50m in a pool with a wetsuit on.
I know. Awesome, right? Should be stoked for the guy. He's Greek. He's an athlete. He broke a world record.
Problem is, he was taking performance enhancing drugs and the wetsuit was not legit. You wouldn't get away with that at the Olympics.
But what I can understand is the backlash, the tut-tutting, from the medical professionals and sporting bodies.
They're upset for two reasons:
1. These athletes are potentially putting themselves at risk, medically.
2. It undermines traditional non-doping sports.
On the first point, isn't that a bit rich?
Isn't it a bit hypocritical of the medical fraternity, who relies on medical trials of patients with sometimes unknown long-term consequences and risks.
This Greek guy just made a million bucks. That's money he can use to feed his family and change his life.
Are we really going to judge?
And as for the sport argument, name me a sport that doesn't result in long-term injuries or medical problems down the line - except for maybe competitive walking?
Especially at professional level. Is boxing 100% safe? Can rugby claim no concussions? How many horse riders you know are in wheelchairs?
I'm not saying there's anything wrong with sport being dangerous.
It's human nature - we love challenging ourselves and sometimes that challenge can lead to damage or death. We're thrill-seekers, essentially.
The enhanced games are basically that on steroids, literally.
If you don't like, don't watch, but don't judge a guy banking a million bucks just for going for a swim.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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