“Athletes stand up to doping” is a new SwimSwam exclusive series where we reach out to athletes and get their unique perspectives on the recent doping issues. To follow along with all the recent doping scandals that have plagued the sport of swimming in the last few months, click here.
Retired Canadian sprinter Brent Hayden had an illustrious career that earned him 22 international medals, ending with a bronze medal in the 100m freestyle at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Hayden was a staple on the Canadian roster since the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
Hayden’s career ended after the 2012 London Olympic Games where he won his sole Olympic medal. While Hayden was wrapping up his career, the heightened wave of doping was just beginning.
“Since I retired in 2012, doping in sport has become a mess, and frankly, an embarrassment,” said Hayden. “I’m not naive to say that it wasn’t there during my time, I just made a point to keep my focus in my lane and work on being the best swimmer I could be.”
Since retiring Hayden has created a line of apparel, Astra Athletica, launched “Brent Hayden Swim Camps,” and exhibited his photography; still keeping close with the sport of swimming. Hayden was most recently on deck at the Arena Pro Swim Series at Orlando, and avidly watched the 2016 Canadian Olympic Trials.
Not racing however, has given Hayden a different viewpoint on the matter of doping.
“I guess being on the outside has given me a different perspective now. I used to miss competing so much that I was contemplating coming out of retirement. Unfortunately a lack of secured funding was the reason I didn’t,” Hayden said. “I see that now as a blessing because the sport is not the sport I used to love so much. It’s become dirty, corrupt, and for what? So some hacks that otherwise wouldn’t have ever been able to make a name for themselves can break some records and win some medals they never deserved?”
Hayden’s strong feelings on the matter are well deserved considering the increased quantity of positive tests in the sport of swimming.
“When it comes to countries such as Russia, where 20 swimmers since 2009 have tested positive, WADA has to go beyond the individual punishments, and begin sanctions against the governing bodies. Unfortunately it’s gotten to the point where not a single Russian performance in Rio will be viewed with any legitimacy,” Hayden said.
Multiple positive tests of meldonium across Russian sports have already captured the worlds attention and began to question the legitimacy of Russian performance.
“Since I retired in 2012, doping in sport has become a mess…” It not just swimming. Canoe/kayak is dreadful now among Russians, Hungarians, Romanians etc., all with government consent. That combined with a lack of Cdn govt funding makes it demoralizing for our athletes.
I suspect some of his strong rhetoric is directed at one Cesar Cielo. I wonder what Hayden’s international medal count and color would look against only clean athletes. The sprints are pretty vulnerable to PEDS.
“Since retiring Hayden has…launched ‘Brent Hayden Swim Camps,’”
I thought that said he started a line of swim caps, which would be pretty amusing. Make ’em all in different skin tones.