Elliott responds to comments on Morgan Hamm

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EUGENE, Ore. -- A few quick words in response to comments made about my blog post regarding Morgan Hamm’s positive test for a prohibited substance, and my assertion that he should be dropped from the team.

First, let’s be clear: the shot he took contained what the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and FIG (the International Gymnastics Federation) classify as a ‘prohibited substance.’ Those are USADA’s words, not mine, straight from the agency’s news release.

If it is being used for therapeutic purposes, the proper paperwork must be filed. Hamm did not do that. If he didn’t know, which seems highly unlikely given that he has been an elite-level athlete for many years, his coach certainly did.

And ignorance is not an excuse for breaking a law in any setting.

As for the suggestion that he was in great pain and just decided to get a shot without worrying about paperwork, that doesn’t hold up. No athlete just decides to take a shot to alleviate sudden pain. Every elite athlete knows to be careful about everything that he or she ingests.

I’ve seen athletes refuse to drink from opened water bottles because they feared the water might have been contaminated and that they could test positive for something later. They know they are responsible for whatever they put into their bodies and they know that rules must be followed.

Part of the punishment he accepted is the erasure of his results at the U.S. championships. His selection to the Beijing team was partly based on those results. If they’re wiped out, should he still be on the team? I say no. But I doubt USA Gymnastics will agree.

-- Helene Elliott