Doping's Dark Shadow is cast over Freediving
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- Freediving is the purest aquatic discipline. Since the start of my career I’ve always referred to it as “the purest measure of human aquatic potential.” But that all seems to be at stake recently, with the advent of both known and alleged doping cases.
I hope that our beautiful sport doesn’t go the way of some others, and we can keep deceit out of the seas. If you agree with me then please help to share (and improve on) this message.
Something I forgot to mention in the video is the safety aspect of doping, and how it exposes doping athletes, those who follow them, and even those who safety them, to unknown risks such as deep water blackouts and severe lung squeezes. I’m less qualified to speak on this subject, but it is even more relevant than the FairPlay side of the story.
That's such a good perspective to have on it!
And you are the Batman of freediving. Selflessly fighting these evil forces, with no mandate or authority. Great job.
Thank you Will for putting yourself forward as the mouthpiece for anti doping. Very well spoken. We must protect the integrity and the purity of freediving, for all past, present and future members of our tribe 💙
At some point in time every sport, and free diving is a sport albeit with extra mystique and unique community, is going to have to deal with cheats. It's a sad day when any endeavour is tainted by the stench of drugs, but a discipline like free diving operates on the ability to push your body beyond what is though possible, but with the knowledge and experience to do it safely. Once in substances and poor practices you're going beyond the known and entering a dangerous place.
Thank you for being so willing to stand up and be heard. It's never easy to be the one who does that, but someone has to.
Shared already. Do you remember me ? Manager of This "hotel" in Pulau Weh ? Wish you all the best
Caro Williams, thanks for putting your face of a remarkable athlete. I am an Italian non professional freediver and I have always genuinely thought that this sport would never be stained by this.
I was wrong indeed and we are all witnessing that the freediving competitions are being "shattered" by individuals who are suspiciously breaking the rules and have created a massive meter gap in such a short period of time. What will be the resulf of this? I guess to some extent that this might affect the motivation of the athletes for striving to achieve a result and be competitive, and indeed compete only with themselves. There's one way that this can be sorted and can only be done through the Federations who have got to tighten regulations, controls to protect our community. The other can only be the "soft" exclusion of these individuals from this "freediving community". As you said, who is stealing my dream, cannot be my friend! Keep delivering these messaging to all.
Un caro saluto, Gianluca
The one thing I thought I'd never expect to see this 😪😪😪 freediving is a journey and we have some comp sprinkling on top 😢
Beautiful and heartwarming message … thank you for protecting our tribe 💙
You're THE role model... great words, great stance! thank you for this!
Very well said and it’s said that someone has to say it. Freediving is a tribe and the experience is very pure. That’s why we all do it. 🦈
Thank you for speaking these truths so beautifully.
In my opinion keep it pure for your own sake. Don't waste your energy on people who have no appreciation for what's real. Everyone that matters appreciates what you've accomplished and given, and people who want what's real are always going to look to your school and ones like it.
Great talk - I’ve been wondering if freediving’s focus on the inner self and experience, all this looking within, combined with a focus on pushing one’s self deeper, longuer or further, does not have a strong risk of fuelling a form of self-centered narcissism, despite the supposedly ego-transcending, even slightly spiritual angles.
It does not always seem to bring the best out of people, as do many holistic practices, unfortunately.
Well said, William.
Cheers,
Tom
I wonder which substances, because i have seen wonders with freedivers with no hard work or training.
I will shere to Korea freediving communities thank you.
Well spoken
In the end cheaters betray themselves in the worst way because they risk/ruin their own health. ONE DAY THEY PAY THE PRICE for how the treat their own body. For me records are not the main reason why I watch VB or other sports. I mean - ok I am honest - I also waited for the CNF battle Trubr/Molch.... BUT in my opinion more important is the way and style a diver has. I love to see honest great smooth gliding tecnique in perfection.
Of course as pro athlete it must be very annoying/frustrating finding out someone has collected records, medals or price money because of cheating. However don't be too pissed about all this.
IMO the best thing of freediving is still that anybody can become a part of the ocean, lake or river. It gives you the unique chance to explore and watch the amazing creatures, plants or wrecks... and the better you become by fair means the longer you can enjoy the stay under water.
Cheaters should be ban for life from competitions when caught.
James Néstor talks about this in his book Deep. People are too obsessed about breaking records and killing themselves. And now this. appreciate this video and still a fan 🫶