Episode 18: Tokyo + The Drug Testing Scandals Across Track & Field

On Episode 18 of The Halfstep Pod, Grant and Connor talk about the recent news that the Tokyo Olympics will have no fans in attendance, and get into a bit of a deep dive on why the games probably can't get moved this close to the start date. Grant updates everyone on his training situation, including a surprising trip he and the team have planned before arriving in Japan.

 

The guys then transition into discussing the three separate drug testing scandals that have shaken track and field the past couple weeks involving Sha'Carri Richardson, Brianna McNeal, and Shelby Houlihan. Grant offers some inside perspective as someone who gets drug tested frequently on how he interacts with the USADA and WADA systems. The guys also try to get into the current issues with the drug testing system, while recognizing all athletes have to deal with the same high standards to prove they are clean.

 

We both want to acknowledge all these situations are nuanced and controversial. Not everyone is going to have the same opinion on each of them as either of us, but we did want to share our perspectives and try to provide educated points given all the background research we have tried to prep going into the episode. As always, thanks to everyone for listening. Don't hesitate to reach out to us halfsteppod@gmail.com or DM us on instagram at "halfstep_pod." Plus, be sure to rate us and subscribe if you haven't already in order to get our podcasts as soon as they drop!