If I built a career as a great amateur golfer, won sanctioned events, then got exposed for using 15 clubs, a non-conforming driver, or a rangefinder with slope, I’d rightfully get criticized. Go chase Strava PRs instead - but those are harder to monetize.
I don’t understand this.
If he's not competing for prize money or qualification spots, who cares?
I mean, should USATF ban anyone who runs any of their races, regardless of how good they are, who has taken a peptide or is on any banned substance?
They'd be banning hundreds of people every race.
Do you really think that's what they should be spending their time and money doing?
Personally, I could not care less if someone on any amount of PEDs beats me in anything unless we are competing for prize money, awards, or qualification spots.
If I go run a 5K and finish 2nd to some guy who's using EPO, I do not care at all.
Now, if I'm competing in, say, a Hyrox event and I finish second and the guy who beats me gets a qualification spot to the World Championships, then I care.
Or if I was good enough to be trying to get an Olympic Trials qualifying spot and someone who beat me was on PEDs, then I would be pissed.
But if I'm just running a random marathon, even reasonably fast, say 2:40, and someone on PEDs beats me, again, I do not fucking care at all.
Not even a little bit.
I'll never understand why people get so upset at those who used PEDs and compete recreationally, especially if they are open about it.