shadowchaser-d Posted September 19, 2013 Share Having spent a fair number of years observing the local racing scene and watching our youngsters try and make a career out of the sport I must say I was quite shocked this past weekend to learn that one of our national selectors is also a coach. I gather Dr Jeroen Swart is a coach/owner in a Cape Town based company called Science2sport as well as one of three national high performance selectors? What's more, apparently he is on the board of Drug Free Sport South Africa as well as owns his own nutrition company, called Cadence? Talk about a conflict of interests? I mean, I have an aspiring sub-junior youngster, but clearly if I don't have the right coach he's not going anywhere. What's more, if he grows up and indirectly takes the wrong supplement, he may just sit in front of a panel and recieve a stern 'I told you to take my supplement, not theirs?' Doesn't seem right to me He is not a selector and only views blood profiles, etc for drug free sport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Steer Posted September 19, 2013 Share There is POTENTIAL for the exercising of unfair influence. I see a couple of places where it is a possibility. The selection process - the definition of best performer has always some level of judgement, and it's not always clear who should be in a team/selected, because there are often other considerations than just who won the most races - so things like building a squad for a future date/event etc, developing up and coming talent. Selectors really need to be independent of the athletes being considered, or have a process to manage the lack of independence in specific instances - such as where there is an athlete-coach relationship. The influence over supplement selection for a team by a partisan person could be significant. As to being on a drug free board - the question is if there is the possibility of influence over when athletes are tested - bearing in mind some of the tests have very limited windows to show positive results - a coach should not be in a position to influence independent test schedules. Thus - Dr J should explain how these issues are managed - or not - as the case may be.I agree... I really don't understand how people can't see it.Alsot one thing further on the selection panel side, in the original post is was stated he is 1 of 3 selectors, that's 30% of the vote (should he still vote on his own riders) - and he also have some influence on the other selectors thoughts as they surely discuss these things before hand - Hey Johnny is posting some great numbers, the kids got incredible potential...Again, not saying he is doing any of this, but it would be nice to have our minds put at ease Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hennie VR Posted September 19, 2013 Share There is POTENTIAL for the exercising of unfair influence. I see a couple of places where it is a possibility. The selection process - the definition of best performer has always some level of judgement, and it's not always clear who should be in a team/selected, because there are often other considerations than just who won the most races - so things like building a squad for a future date/event etc, developing up and coming talent. Selectors really need to be independent of the athletes being considered, or have a process to manage the lack of independence in specific instances - such as where there is an athlete-coach relationship. The influence over supplement selection for a team by a partisan person could be significant. As to being on a drug free board - the question is if there is the possibility of influence over when athletes are tested - bearing in mind some of the tests have very limited windows to show positive results - a coach should not be in a position to influence independent test schedules. Thus - Dr J should explain how these issues are managed - or not - as the case may be. Understandable. I also understand that a team consist of more than one specialist (Not sure if it works like this on junior level). Thus you will need a good climber, a good sprinter, a good time trialist and good domestiques. But surely these guys will get selected on a specific date and the best ones will be selected. Sure if the team consist of just Dr.J's riders then surely that will raise suspicion and if that is the case I'm sure that there will be an uproar and a investigation to follow. Nutrition wise: It's a national team, thus I'm sure that the individual riders will still be using their sponsors' nutrition. As far as I know there is no advertising for sponsors in a national team because the team consist of riders from different teams. Doping/Testing wise: If it's a national team then surely it will be the UCI that does the testing and not the national body thus Dr.J can't really influence their decision on whom to test and when. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbleweed Posted September 19, 2013 Share Understandable. I also understand that a team consist of more than one specialist (Not sure if it works like this on junior level). Thus you will need a good climber, a good sprinter, a good time trialist and good domestiques. But surely these guys will get selected on a specific date and the best ones will be selected. Sure if the team consist of just Dr.J's riders then surely that will raise suspicion and if that is the case I'm sure that there will be an uproar and a investigation to follow. Nutrition wise: It's a national team, thus I'm sure that the individual riders will still be using their sponsors' nutrition. As far as I know there is no advertising for sponsors in a national team because the team consist of riders from different teams. Doping/Testing wise: If it's a national team then surely it will be the UCI that does the testing and not the national body thus Dr.J can't really influence their decision on whom to test and when. Is the targetted testing not based on passports? How many local riders have bio passports? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hennie VR Posted September 19, 2013 Share Yes but we dont know the influence he might carry over the other two selectors. But my example was to relate it to something we 'bok' supporters complain about all the time. Meyer has Blue tinted glasses ect. Like I said. He might have influence over other selectors but then the OP must have some serious evidence to back up his allegations. It could have legal implications if he doesn't. One other thing. The selection panel does not select itself as far as I know. I mean its not like I can go and say: Hey I'm one of 3 selectors for the national team, who wants to join me. Why was he selected in the first place if other coaches did not have faith in him and his credibility? As for Meyer and his blue tinted glasses........Just look at the Boks play. The man has some skills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGR Posted September 19, 2013 Share Like I said. He might have influence over other selectors but then the OP must have some serious evidence to back up his allegations. It could have legal implications if he doesn't. One other thing. The selection panel does not select itself as far as I know. I mean its not like I can go and say: Hey I'm one of 3 selectors for the national team, who wants to join me. Why was he selected in the first place if other coaches did not have faith in him and his credibility? As for Meyer and his blue tinted glasses........Just look at the Boks play. The man has some skills! Hahah now who has the blue tinted glasses (They are playing well .... every second game) Also remember PDV was also selected as coach ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hennie VR Posted September 19, 2013 Share Is the targetted testing not based on passports? How many local riders have bio passports? Honestly I have no idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hennie VR Posted September 19, 2013 Share Hahah now who has the blue tinted glasses (They are playing well .... every second game) Also remember PDV was also selected as coach ...... Guilty as charged PDV ensured for other type of entertainment. Especially during his interviews. You got to love the man, he is a national icon now. He featured in many radio programs and in Robbie Wessels songs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGR Posted September 19, 2013 Share Guilty as charged PDV ensured for other type of entertainment. Especially during his interviews. You got to love the man, he is a national icon now. He featured in many radio programs and in Robbie Wessels songs!"lets get some pumps and tutu's and have some ballet""When you take your car to a white mechanic - you will always give him a second chance" I read his book - I never knew you could bitch and moan for 200 pages ... but he succeeded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doctor Posted September 19, 2013 Share Hi Everyone, To clarfiy: 1) I am a selector for MTB SA only. I am not involved in any other selection panel. MTB selections are predominantly by performance relative to the highest standard. In XC this is based on % of the riders lap time in comparison to the winners. There is a very objective selection process in place and it is not based on any subjective viewpoint. This process is open to review by any person who wishes to assess the selection process. As a panel we regularly consider changes based on feedback from any individuals who wish to comment on the process. If there is any bias (intended or otherwise) this can and would be exposed easily. If you find any bias in the selection, please provide details. 2) I do not coach any junior or sub-junior athletes at present. 3) My involvement with Cadence Nutrition was to ensure that there was an ethical, scientific product choice available and the product represents the highest standard in terms of quality, efficacy, transparency and contamination risk. We pride ourselves on this and if you have any concerns, please provide us with feedback. 4) My work for SAIDS is as a doping control review officer. We review cases post analysis that are coded and completely anonymous. We do not have the ability to decide who gets tested or when they get tested. We therefore have no ability to bias the outcome of any cases. I trust that the above clarifies my position. Joeboy69, LOOK695, majestic and 15 others 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Steer Posted September 19, 2013 Share Hi Everyone, To clarfiy: 1) I am a selector for MTB SA only. I am not involved in any other selection panel. MTB selections are predominantly by performance relative to the highest standard. In XC this is based on % of the riders lap time in comparison to the winners. There is a very objective selection process in place and it is not based on any subjective viewpoint. This process is open to review by any person who wishes to assess the selection process. As a panel we regularly consider changes based on feedback from any individuals who wish to comment on the process. If there is any bias (intended or otherwise) this can and would be exposed easily. If you find any bias in the selection, please provide details. 2) I do not coach any junior or sub-junior athletes at present. 3) My involvement with Cadence Nutrition was to ensure that there was an ethical, scientific product choice available and the product represents the highest standard in terms of quality, efficacy, transparency and contamination risk. We pride ourselves on this and if you have any concerns, please provide us with feedback. 4) My work for SAIDS is as a doping control review officer. We review cases post analysis that are coded and completely anonymous. We do not have the ability to decide who gets tested or when they get tested. We therefore have no ability to bias the outcome of any cases. I trust that the above clarifies my position.Thanks for your time and for bringing a bit of clarity to this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Steer Posted September 19, 2013 Share Hi Everyone, To clarfiy: 1) I am a selector for MTB SA only. I am not involved in any other selection panel. MTB selections are predominantly by performance relative to the highest standard. In XC this is based on % of the riders lap time in comparison to the winners. There is a very objective selection process in place and it is not based on any subjective viewpoint. This process is open to review by any person who wishes to assess the selection process. As a panel we regularly consider changes based on feedback from any individuals who wish to comment on the process. If there is any bias (intended or otherwise) this can and would be exposed easily. If you find any bias in the selection, please provide details. 2) I do not coach any junior or sub-junior athletes at present. 3) My involvement with Cadence Nutrition was to ensure that there was an ethical, scientific product choice available and the product represents the highest standard in terms of quality, efficacy, transparency and contamination risk. We pride ourselves on this and if you have any concerns, please provide us with feedback. 4) My work for SAIDS is as a doping control review officer. We review cases post analysis that are coded and completely anonymous. We do not have the ability to decide who gets tested or when they get tested. We therefore have no ability to bias the outcome of any cases. I trust that the above clarifies my position.A question if I may...How many South African cyclists are on the passport, and how often are they tested on average? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doctor Posted September 19, 2013 Share Thanks for your time and for bringing a bit of clarity to this Always a pleasure. Andrew Steer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doctor Posted September 19, 2013 Share A question if I may...How many South African cyclists are on the passport, and how often are they tested on average? Not enough and not often enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbleweed Posted September 19, 2013 Share Great post, Doc! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Steer Posted September 19, 2013 Share Not enough and not often enough. Pity!I know a lot of testing is done in competition, would it not be better though if most of the testing was aimed for out of competition? Edited September 19, 2013 by ChunkyMunky Lite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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