Blogs : Jason Richardson

Q&A (Doping/State of Track and Field)

Bet you didn’t think I was gonna post again for another 2-3 months!  In my October entry I asked for questions so I wanted to make sure and give my requested 2 cents on the topics.

Q: You could discuss your opinion on the whole doping thing going down in the track world

A: There’s not much I can say about the doping situation but that it sucks, it annoys me, and amuses me all at the same time.  It obviously taints our sport and I personally feel like it is the main reason why T&F is no longer taken seriously as a ‘sport.’  I’ve heard someone say they’d rather watch competitive cheerleading than watch T&F and that’s a DAMN shame!  (okay not really, but I wouldn’t be surprised!).  I hold no compassion for those that get caught and wish more hurdlers would get caught and get the hell out my way, lol.  I’m amused for the reason that these athletes think they’re invincible.  I’ve stated in an earlier entry that taking steroids to EAT because your struggling in the sport is far more understandable than taking the drugs to break WR’s than retiring at your prime the year that out of season testings are to begin…{start cough…FLOJO….end cough…}  I will say this much however, all the doping offenses seem to have a ‘cleansing’ effect on our sport.  Out with the old and in with the new.  We have some athletes on the circuit who are winning meets in Europe and can’t even legally buy a drink in the States to celebrate!  HS track may not be getting faster per event, but it’s definitely becoming more competitive and increasing in depth.  The future is bright, the bright shine of youthfulness and raw talent.  I will not be naïve as to think that doping will go away… it’s as constant as lactic acid!  My only hope is that fewer athletes will be tempted

Q: Blogs on your thoughts about track and field as an entity and what it might take for our sport to be seen as a sport of interest for just the average joe.

A.  Track and Field needs spokespeople who are willing to take the sport’s future in their hands.  It’s a daunting task, but we are in dire need of identifiable figures in our sport.  We need athletes with speed and personality, who are worth interviewing after the race not only for the fact that they won, but because they can talk and are engaging.  I can’t count the number of times I’d rather spike myself in the eye than listen to an incoherent post-race interview.  And why does it seem like the FASTEST athletes are the most BORING?   Geez…You have to attract, inspire, and entertain viewers whether one wins or losses.  Case in point is that Rapunzel lookin white girl who played Tennis back in the day.  Ann Kournikova (to my knowledge) never won not one solitary singles tournament, but because she was cute she stayed on center courts and increased the exposure of women’s tennis!  The EASIEST way to get track and field some exposure is to get on Oprah… I’m working on it, haha….  At the end of the day, we need to give back to track and field because we all know our sport deserves more respect than it gets.  If I could get this flimsy hamstring together, you guys could call me Atlas cause I’d try and put the whole sport on my back.  I’ll just keep wishing for the best.

I’m always open for more questions so just let me know…

Outlook 2008

4:44 PM, January 11, 2008 .. Posted by DruwT

I have followed your career and my favorite University track & field team, South Carolina for a few years now. With that being said, what in your opinion is the outlook for 2008? I know how you want to perform, but realistically, how do you expect to do at the ncaa's/natls this season and how do you think the gamecocks will do this year, with Natasha & Shalonda being gone? Also, as a gamecock fan, can you give us some funny/unique behind the scene action during training/season. ****Last question, if you could have a Barber twin....which would it be?