IWC World Static Apnea Contest, Monaco 21-23.07

[tomsietas]

Hi guys,

just a few words because for some reason I am not able to log in the internet by my own computer.

Thank you so much. I am deeply touched by all the positive comments and mails. It is good to know that there are so many people wo think positive....

I will reply more extensively when I am able to use my computer again.

You are great... Tom

[efattah]

Tom,

Congratulations on your 10'08" static; a historic milestone for all freedivers.

It makes it a special day for me as well. During a documentary in February 2001, I was interviewed and on the documentary I said I was aiming for 100m in CW and 10'00" in static. At the time the records were 81m and 7'35". People thought those 'goals' were ridiculous.

But in the same documentary, I also said:
"and I do think that even THOSE are not pushing the human limits, I still think there is a lot of room for improvement even after that...."

Well, for the joy of all divers, in CW Carlos & Martin showed that 100m could be beaten, and Tom has showed us that 10'00" can be beaten.

Great work!

Sad to hear about the Monaco situation.

[pat fish]

Originally Posted by cebaztian

I have written a text about what I found out about Aida and doping.

http://www.fridykning.se/freediving/.../aidadope.html

Sebastian Sweden

thanks for the info cebaztian!

[QazzaQ]

That's incredible that Tom has been shunned from this so-called top event of static apneists! Several competitive disciplines have had such players that have taken the discipline to a whole new level (Bubka, Karelin, Jordan, Kasparov...). The main difference to these disciplines is, that in these cases they have been able to _leverage_ the top-performer to promote the visibility and popularity of the sport. It is only natural that as freediving grows bigger there will be more and more talented persons involved who go past the limits of the "old-timers". What kind of a message does this send to the other promising talents training out there? That it is OK to achieve only mediocre levels before suspicion arises?
Personally I am extremely disappointed to see this kind of an attitude arise once again in freediving. It would seem, that one of the biggest factors limiting the development of this sport is the jealousy of less gifted individuals... Because of this attitude I have not enjoyed the international competitions as much as national or free training, and I have had huge challenges to motivate myself to participate in competitions abroad. And I don't think I am the only one having these problems.

Tom: hopefully this incident does not affect your training motivation!!! Looking forward to see you perform on an even ground against the participants of the Monaco competition...

[bam bam]

I'd just like to point out two things with the doping arctical:

firstly it wasn't prednisone found in tom's sample, though later in the articale they do say that is was another substance.

The prednisone was found in my sample. Which moves me onto the second thing:

"For instance; the UK athlete Sam Still was also found with "prednisone" in the blood during the Canada World Cup. A indication that the system works "

As for the lovely note on the side of the articale:

Aida has not been known for prompt information so I feel this text is beneficial for all parties and the freediving community as a whole.


I was CLEARED as the B sample was negative. So it works only as far as going the first initial findings were dramatised. Shocking news two athelites found with banned substance in urine test!!!!!!!!!!!
Where as the second negative result was given only a short sentance on the aida site for a short while before being replaced by some other news!

So who ever wrote the articale please can you amend or at least insert a note to the fact that i am clean!

[Veronika]

In the first place I wonder why AIDA even publishes the results of a positive doping test sample A. IMHO the first step after such a result should be to ask the athlete if he wants to have sample B tested or not. If no, the sample A outcome can be considered as fact. If yes, it must be considered a preliminary outcome and should as such not be given to the public until the sample B results draw a clear picture.

[donmoore]

Tom seems to have the respect of most of the top freedivers, who seem more knowledgeable of the facts concerning his exonerated. If I were on the list of invites, it would be a real negative in what should have been a good experience. Without Tom the idea that this was to determine the best of the best is a joke for both the competitor and the fan!

As a fan, I will tell the sponsors this right now, I buy $1,000’s of freediving equipment and if your sponsoring this bull***** I will never buy your equipment again, and I will also encourage everyone to do the same!
DON

cc pierre@pierrefrolla.com

[samdive]

I can't believe that Tom - that is ridiculous! Deepest Bear no longer wants to go to Monaco : (

Sam

[AltSaint]

Tom Sietas wouldn't need to clean up his image, if it wasn't for people like the Organizing Committe for the WSAC in Monaco, who have seen fit to tarnish it.

All the postings I have seen here seem to support Tom. I think this means he has a clean image.

Unlike the WSAC Organizing Committee.

[wolleneugebauer]

from: http://AIDA-INTERNATIONAL.ORG/news1.htm
Dear Freedivers,

Last February the AIDA Disciplinary Commission was informed about an adverse analytical finding in the sample A of the doping test of Mr. Tom Sietas after it's analysis by the AIDA laboratory (Chem Tox). The test was made on the 12th of December 2004 in Eindhoven after Mr. Sietas static apnea performance.

The Disciplinary Commission was asked to discuss the case and give its conclusions. At that time, we considered the test as positive. We did so because we misinterpreted the WADA anti-doping guidelines (Standards for laboratories, point 5.4.4). Actually, under WADA-IOC regulations, Mr. Sietas doping test would NOT have been considered positive and thus NOT reported at all by an accredited laboratory. This happened mostly due to our lack of experience in this matter.

The new Disciplinary Commission will have to adjust it's rules to the WADA-IOC guidelines. Besides, with some changes in it's structure and new competent members, the next commission should soon be operational. Each athlete will agree that the credibility of the commission is essential for the development and the recognition of our sport; hence it's rules must be well defined and fully applicable.

Lausanne, May 30, 2005
Joanna Massacand
In the name of the ex-AIDA Disciplinary Commission

///

Milano, May 31, 2005
Bill Strömberg
President,
AIDA International

[land shark]

We would like to organize a friendly competition, without any suspicion and debates, and in this light your case is insolvent. After numerous meetings with our partners and after hearing the athletes' point of view, it was decided that you cannot be invited to this years World Static Apnea Contest in Monaco.

Believe me, I am sorry for this decision. I strongly advise you to clean up your image and to re-establish a positive and healthy image of our ?? sport.

Certainly this cannot be concidered a world competition.
May I suggest "The Good Ol Boys Static Championship of Monaco"
Keep the faith Tom we know you can do it.

jim

[Kars]

Asside from Tom Sietas' unnessesairy exclusion.

I don't like the elimination proces. I do not expect any WR, not even from Tom if he would participate, Because a long static takes really a lot of concentration and wears one out. Doing so many max attempts sound not as fun to me.

Kars

[efattah]

Bam Bam,

Although your sample showed prednisone, that was at AIDA worlds (at which Tom's had traces of Metoprolol). The article in question talks about Tom's next doping test, which was after his 8'58" world record, some time after worlds; that was the test which showed traces of prednisone, like your test. So I hope that clears up the confusion. In all cases the amounts were insignificant.

[donmoore]

I heard from Pierre FROLLA via e-mail. It sounds like the door is not totally closed on Tom. I believe Pierre FROLLA is trying to make a good event and he and some others may have just made a bad decision based on inaccurate facts. Nobody can say they have never made a bad decision before!

His main issue right now seems to be that the competition is organized for 12 athletes with the go against elimination format and there are currently 12 who have accepted. I didn’t tell him this and maybe I should have, but I can’t imagine 12 world-class freedivers all being ready to compete on the same day anyway. Maybe they need 13 just because the probability of something happening to prevent one from competing is high!

If not it would be real classy for one of the twelve to give Tom a chance. Maybe they could say, “I will take the chance that if Tom was included I might draw him in the first round anyway so I will challenge him. If he beats me he can have my spot.”

Off course I am just a fan and not a competitor who may have already put money, training, and scheduling into the event, so who am I to make such a suggestion. But if was a competitor and I won the event, the bragging and peer admiration would be much better if Tom had been there!

Like I told Pierre FROLLA and Kars mentioned too, who knows too if Tom’s no-warmup, all-out approach will serve him well in this format, but it sure would be interesting to see!
don

[efattah]

I just sent Pierre Frolla an e-mail offering to give up my spot to Tom Sietas.

I really did want to compete at this competition though....