A Huge Step for the OPA in Natural Bodybuilding

[A.C.P.]

Hey guys,

I was just looking at the OPA website and there are some additional things they are adding to the mix this year in terms of the Natural (tested stream) of bodybuilding. Not only are they adding in 4 regional shows that will have random drug testing but they will also be doing out of competition drug testing comparable to what the Olympic athletes have to do. Take a look.

"I would like to speak to you about our goals with regards to our Natural athletes competing in our tier system. The credibility of our testing procedures and relationship with the Centre for Ethics in Sport is second to none, not only in Canada but in all of North America. We have added four new Natural contests which are qualifiers to the Natural Ontario’s. What makes us different from all other so called Natural Organizations is our credibility in the testing process. We want to encourage all our young athletes to begin their careers in the Natural competition stream as this is a family event. We have introduced the first pilot program in North America in Partnership with CCES and the CBBF where our Natural competitors competing at randomly tested Natural contests will be also be included in our “out of competition testing.” We will introduce a Whereabouts Program for those Natural athletes that are selected. This is truly the purest and fairest system in place, comparable to our Olympic athletes. This is another reason for our Natural athletes to be proud as members of the OPA/CBBF/IFBB."

physiqueassociation.ca/node/104

The one thing that kind of hit me when I read this was "as this is a family event". I am not sure how a natural or tested show is any more family oriented then a non tested event.

This should be interesting as it will level out the planning field for those who participate in tested events.

Have a good day!!!

[steve_d]

But keep in mind they mention 'we want the young athletes to start the career in the natural events'. This makes so much sense, because more often then not, the young guys start out non natural as soon as they first decide to hit the gym.

The family event part, well, in a non-tested show, there will always be a few people that look intimidating to the avg public. If you're young and likely have family to come out and watch you, it only makes sense to introduce them to the sport you love in the least intimidating environment, so yes - it would be more family oriented than a non-tested event in that sense. Non-tested = obvious steroid use. Steroid use = illegal, illegal = not family oriented.

On another note...I am curious to see this new direction for OPA, and how it affects the sport. I might sound pessimistic, but I can only guess it will even the playing field but decrease the populatity. Which technically is a very good thing for those on that even playing field. But may not be a good thing in terms of money...and in the end, will that mean a much more expensive event for the athlete?

[Andre]

There will always be drugs in bodybuilding...

[Praetorian]

This is nothing new...random drug testing out of competition has been with the OPA for 15 years or more...its actually on the OPA registration form everyone signs not just tested competitors.
P

[Andre]

Even the IFBB claims to be drug tested...

[Andre]

Even the IFBB claims to be drug tested...

[A.C.P.]

This is nothing new...random drug testing out of competition has been with the OPA for 15 years or more...its actually on the OPA registration form everyone signs not just tested competitors.
P

I was unaware of this. I guess I never read the fine print when I agreed to it online. I thought it was something new.

I never knew they did this with the tested stream as well. I just hope they dont up the cost of competing in the natural stream because of this.

[steve_d]

I think though that this is something new. How many people have been out of contest tested in the cbbf in the past 10 years? regardless of stream, I think it hasn't been done to anyone - whereas they will likely do a few.

My hope is that they target competitors (ex, winners, suspicious, etc). Its one thing to do an out of contest test - but there is a huge difference in a random test, a test targetted towards someone they know will pass, and a test target to someone they think might fail.

[A.C.P.]

I think though that this is something new. How many people have been out of contest tested in the cbbf in the past 10 years? regardless of stream, I think it hasn't been done to anyone - whereas they will likely do a few.

My hope is that they target competitors (ex, winners, suspicious, etc). Its one thing to do an out of contest test - but there is a huge difference in a random test, a test targetted towards someone they know will pass, and a test target to someone they think might fail.

I understand what you are saying steve. I think that they are actually going to be conducting these in order to deter people from taking other enhancement methods during the offseason.

You then raise another question about tragetting competitors. Will they definately test the overall winner then and continue to test them and say the 1st place person all year round. Will this deter people from using or will it create the incentive for people do only do what they have to do to place in order to advance to the next level.

I dont think that way as each show is basically trying to come in better but for those who want that WBBF pro card this could be their logic. The other thing about the OPA doing this is it puts Ontario competitors at a disadvantage at the national level. Just sayin'.

[Praetorian]

From the OPA registration form:


"Members are advised that the use of performance enhancing substances is prohibited by Bodybuilding Ontario.
Bodybuilding Ontario has instituted a program of random drug testing and reserves the right to request a competitor
to present him/herself at any time for an approved doping control test. failure to appear or refusal to submit to the
test will result in the same penalty as a positive test result. Penalties for positive test results include suspension of
membership from the Bodybuilder's Association of Ontario."

And as for Steve's question about test being done with this in place....in the last 15 years i haven't heard of a single test...this is lip service at best....i doubt it will be any different with the latest announcement...remember drug testing costs money which comes out of the OPA coffers. The WBFF does not test yet collects alot of money from the athletes for these so called tests....its all about business and making the money.

P

[steve_d]

I understand what you are saying steve. I think that they are actually going to be conducting these in order to deter people from taking other enhancement methods during the offseason.

You then raise another question about tragetting competitors. Will they definately test the overall winner then and continue to test them and say the 1st place person all year round. Will this deter people from using or will it create the incentive for people do only do what they have to do to place in order to advance to the next level.

I dont think that way as each show is basically trying to come in better but for those who want that WBBF pro card this could be their logic. The other thing about the OPA doing this is it puts Ontario competitors at a disadvantage at the national level. Just sayin'.


yep -they'll be at a disavantage at the national level no doubt. Although it doesn't stop someone from getting huge now, then coming off and going clean just long enough to win the show, and then stay clean for a few more months, do nationals, all the while losing a little at a time.

And by targetting, I don't mean the winner - just anyone suspicious. Whether its the guy that has obvious gyno, and is large, just not conditioned and symmetrical enough to win - but obvious steroid use, etc. It would be so easy to catch someone if they had someone there picking who to test, and when. although, i have my doubts that they will be that picky about it. Perhaps a couple random tests, like you say - in order to deter competitors.

[steve_d]

remember drug testing costs money which comes out of the OPA coffers. The WBFF does not test yet collects alot of money from the athletes for these so called tests....its all about business and making the money.

P

If they do random tests, then perhaps all contest costs will go up. although 5$ more per entry, multiplied by 10 contests multiplied by 50-75 entries...at least will give some money for extra drug tests - but even those assumptions will only cover 1-2 properly done tests.

OPA will likely break even at best at all natural shows, so it will be tight for them to start testing more than 1-2 people.

I dunno. In the end, I don't see it as a huge step for OPA...but it sounds good on paper. hey, you never know - perhaps it will deter un-clean guys to actually compete in the non-tested where they belong, so it will make some more competitve non-tested shows (bigger classes).

[Not2Big]

As far as I know, the WBFF doesn't drug test. I read somewhere that they felt that it wasn't fair to athletes to take their money on a test that could easily be geared (pardon the pun) in order to pass.
How would out of season testing even work?? For the most part, promoters don't know who will be competing and when. Many shows are also attended by first time competitors whose names won't even be known to promoters. Drug testing isn't a cheap process and for them to institute off season testing against those athletes who may/may not be attending their events is ludicrous.

It's bodybuilding and in my opinion, there is no such thing as a true natural organization. It's wishful thinking at best. For every test, there's a drug that can beat it or not show up on the radar. What's next? Faking a disability so you can enter the special olympics??

[Sean Summers]

Your name will be put in a hat when you join the OPA. They will do ransoms in the off-season from that. Now if you wanted the best chance NOT to be tested - complete at the end of the year at the last natural event and join the OPA at that show. With any luck they will have spent the drug testing budget before then.
If you sign up in Jan your name will be on the list for the entire year but if you sign up and compete in Nov you only have your name available for 2 months. Also at that point there will be the max number of names to choose from which equals better chances for the cheaters.

[Not2Big]

Maybe they should do what FAME does and have a screening panel to look at people to determine whether they use drugs or not. At least that's probably more accurate LOL Then of course, there's the polygraph test.