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Hello, Elle,
This is all I can find out about the drugs scandal.
I had a look at the Prohibited List and there are hundreds and hundreds of drugs on it.
Anyway, Craig Reedie is President of WADA, and BBC has a copy of the note that he sent to Sergey Bubka of the IAAF.
in it, he tipped Bubka off, that the German tv channel ARD are producing another programme on drugs in athletics.
Instead of trying to stop drug taking, the head of WADA is tipping people off about those investigating it!
This is a quote from Rune Andersen of the IAAF,
"A hundred negative tests does not mean an athlete is clean."
I agree.

Hi, Rusty!
Now, I did think to look in Anne B...... it is interesting that you found "pearly" when you looked up "costermonger".
The reverse didn't apply... I had much earlier looked up "pearly ", but it didn't give me "costermonger"!!!!!!
But about "pearly gates" for teeth........ this brought back a memory from goodness- knows-how-many years ago of my grandmother persuading me to open my mouth ad eat by saying "Through the pearly gates, and down the little red road...."!

As far as I can gather, today's IOC meeting has said that "clean" Russians may be allowed to compete under their country's flag, whereas the IAAF is saying that "clean Russians must compete as independents".
I haven't found much information - probably we will hear a lot more tomorrow.

Hi, Rusty!
Our posts crossed - although mine arrived after yours, I hadn't read yours when I started typing! ( I'm a slow typer!)
I don't really understand what is happening?
I'd thought that Craig Reedie was very keen to clamp down on drug -taking?
Can one trust anybody?
If the officials are to go ahead and let supposedly (I say that as I cannot see how it can be proved beyond doubt) "clean " Russians compete at Rio, then the only way to go - in fairness to other competitors - if for them to do it as "independents".
Wins/medals should not be counted in favour of Russia.

Hello, Elle!
I am afraid you cannot trust any of them.
Corruption abounds in high places.
Lance Armstrong got away with cheating for years.
He ran rings round the "testers". If he was unlucky and failed one, then money easily solved that problem.
He made many enemies with his bullying of riders who tried to ride clean. A horrible man.
Sharapova is wanting an apology from Reedie because he mentioned her annual salary in remarks he made!
I am not so sure now, that "clean" Russians or Kenyans should be allowed to compete. The previous "independent" athletes were refugees etc, not from corrupt states.
It is difficult.
I think there will be sanctimonious talk, then a fudge to get the cheats to Rio.

Hello, Elle,
Just seen this on RTE.
Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, at today's meeting in Switzerland, said, "athletes from Russia and Kenya can no longer be presumed innocent",
WADA says they are "non-compliant" with the rules.
Each athlete must pass an "individual evaluation" to prove they have not been doping.
Russian Olympic chief, Aleksander Zhuko said clean Russian athletes will appeal the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
I struggle to keep up with all these organisations.
Sport used to be so simple!

HI, Rusty!
Yes, I had gathered that each individual wanting to compete independently from his/ her country would have to undergo drugs tests to establish that he / she was "clean." But, as you said earlier, however could that be proved beyond all doubt?
The officials must be well aware how spurious this claim would be.
I do feel though for those who try to compete drug -free - it isn't fair that they be tarred with the same brush...but I see no viable alternative - unless all competitors compete as independents, and no one does it in the name of their country?
Would that work?
Sharapova wants the sun, the moon and the stars, but here's hoping that she won't get them!
That would really be a travesty of justice!

Hello, Elle!
I have every sympathy with clean athletes.
And where and when and how are they going to test the Russians?
Surely not in Russia? And it is not long to go, to Rio.
I seem to remember reading there is no longer any accredited drug testing system in Africa. What happens with the Kenyans?
And why are the Ethiopians and Jamaicans not being tested?
Spain?
I am not sure having everyone competing independently would work, Elle.
Would the public be interested?
Folk like to cheer their own countrymen on, don't they?

Hi, Rusty!
That is indeed a very valid point about where the Russians should be tested.
I don't recall any mention of a venue for this - or how it could be security protected?
But I don't see why it wouldn't work for athletes to compete independently?
The Diamond League events that I have been watching have very few Brits competing, yet I still watch with enjoyment.
I like to watch tennis..... most of the tennis tournaments are for individuals.
The spectator supports whom he fancies to win, not necessarily a fellow countryman.
(Granted the Davis cup is different - and there I would root for my country, rather than the player I might prefer).
You yourself support cyclists who are not necessarily British.
Yet you still enjoy watching!
The same with golfers, jockeys etc.......
I don't see why it wouldn't work?
Do you think I should borrow Fang tonight?..... there are the suspect gouges by the doorlock......
I don't think the piranhas would be any use....I don't have a moat......
Locksmith arriving at 9.30am!

Hi elle and rusty
Isnt there a pearly king and queen in London so costermonger would fit.

Good morning, Elle!
Fine morning here!
You and me are fans of sports.
I am thinking of the public who may only tune into the Olympics and do not watch the Diamond league, or for instance, the National championships which are on this weekend. They tune in to Olympics to hopefully see their countrymen/women win a medal, I think.
It is an "occasion".
I have had disagreements with folk who tell me I should support Andy Murray at Wimbledon because he is Scots/British.
My argument is, no, he is not playing for his country at Wimbledon, he is playing for Andy Murray, and I shall support whoever I like.
You are quite correct. Vast majority of my sporting heroes are not British. Cancellara etc. Lizzie is, though!
Good luck with the locksmith!