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[SAMPLE ISSUE] TRACK PROFILE REPORT #80 16-February-2004 [Note: Distributed 16-February-2004, Posted 17-Feb-2004] [ The TRACK PROFILE REPORT is written, compiled and edited by Bob Ramsak. Copyright (c) 2004 by Bob Ramsak and TRACK PROFILE. All rights reserved. Reproduction, republication, reposting and retransmission in ANY form is strictly prohibited without express permission from the editor. Small portions may be reproduced ONLY if accompanied by source citation and *ADVANCE* notice in writing to Track Profile. Please contact the editor at bob@trackprofile.com for reprint permission. ] ----- ----------------------------------------- The TRACK PROFILE Report is sponsored in part by Shooting Star Media, Inc., publisher of the magazines American Track & Field, ATF Athletes Only, and California Track & Running News. Besides its publications, Shooting Star Media manages three websites and is an advertising representative for The Running Network, a group of 28 regional and national specialty running magazines. American Track & Field [ http://www.american-trackandfield.com ] is a professional magazine geared to coaches, athletes and enthusiasts of track & field, race walking, road racing and cross country running. Links to all Shooting Star Media publications can be found on its website at http://www.shootingstarmediainc.com . ------ ----------------------------------------- ----------------------- [01] - Shot Putter Kevin Toth Announces Retirement ----------------------- by BOB RAMSAK Cleveland, OH, USA (16-Feb) -- Just hours after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency confirmed his positive test for the designer steroid tetrahydrogestrinone, or THG, US Shot Put champion Kevin Toth announced he was finished with the sport. But the 36-year-old Ohioan insisted that his alleged association with the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative, the California-based nutritional testing and supplement company now targeted in a federal probe for illegal steroid distribution, had nothing to do with his retirement. "It was not the current situation," he said, adding that his decision was all but made after his last competition at the World Athletics Final in Monte Carlo in September, where he finished seventh. "I left the ring in Monaco thinking I don't really want to do this anymore. I went out on my terms." But he added that he will fight the USADA ruling. "Nobody's going to beat me down," he said. "It's defamed me. It's taken away everything I accomplished over my 12-year career." This morning, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency confirmed that Toth had tested positive for the designer steroid tetrahydrogestrinone, or THG, at last summer's US Outdoor Track and Field Championships in June and again during an out-of-competition test on July 27, 2003. The anti-doping agency also confirmed that Toth tested positive for the stimulant modafinil. Toth declined to comment on the positive finding for modafinil. Toth wouldn't comment on the USADA case, saying only that his appeal would most likely not be heard until late April or early May. While among the top shot putters in the world for much of the past decade, inconsistencies in training and unrelenting back problems prevented him from collecting major titles. Toth retired briefly after the 2000 season, but returned the following year after undergoing back surgery, the second of his career, to repair nerve damage in his lower back. He improved steadily in 2002, and last year, training with new coach Mike Mielke, Toth saw significant improvement. His throw of 71 feet, two-and-a-half inches (21.70m) at the Black Squirrel Classic in Kent, Ohio in February was the farthest in the world indoors. Outdoors, his 74 foot, four-and-a-half inch (22.67m) effort at the Kansas Relays was the farthest throw in the world in 13 years. He swept to wins at both the indoor and outdoor national championships. In a 2002 interview with TPR, Toth said that among his sponsors was the little-known nutritional supplement company, ZMA, that is linked to BALCO owner Victor Conte, Jr. The relationship would eventually cast a dark cloud on his entire career. He declined to comment on the BALCO case and said he was not certain if he would be called to testify. Now, he just wants to put it all behind him. "I am happy right now," he said. "I wasn't happy the last couple of months, I'll admit that. Now, I realize that [retirement] is just what I wanted." After last August's world championships, where he finished fourth, Toth said the Paris competition was but a stepping stone to Athens. "This is all about next year," he told TPR, referring to the upcoming Olympics. "These are the kind of things that are going to make me a champion next year. It's all about the gold medal." But since September, he's apparently had a change of heart. "It's unfortunate what's going on," he said. If not for his current situation, he added, "I would have retired quietly and wouldn't have told anyone." Toth said he realizes that that the timing of his announcement will be viewed with suspicion, but maintains that his decision to leave the sport has more to do with the grueling lifestyle of a professional athlete, one that isn't as glamorous as some would believe. "I'm 36, the window has narrowed," he said. "I'm tired of training, I'm tired of traveling. I don't want my son asking, 'when's daddy coming home.' And quite frankly, I'm tired of being paid like a realtor." Yesterday, he said, he took apart the weight training equipment in his garage. "I trained for the money, not the glory," he said this morning. "I guess the Olympic dream wasn't meant for me. "I was meant for my family, and working a nine-to-five job like everyone else." END - TPR #80 - 16-February-2004  |
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