BBC Sports Personality Of The Year

[Jon Crofts]

I think we can rule Froome out.

What a mess. I bet Wiggins is having a little snigger to himself this morning at this massive blow for African cycling.

[manic-road]

How do all these cyclists compete at the highest level when they all seem to have asthma ?

[cdbearsfan]

Because they take "medication" for it, obviously.

[Jon Crofts]

How do all these cyclists compete at the highest level when they all seem to have asthma ?

Prior to the 2013 Olympic Games, 40% of the GB cycling team were diagnosed with asthma as opposed to 8% of the general population.

[Villa Lew]

Roger Federer wins Overseas SPOTY, fully deserved after winning Wimbledon at nearly 36 years of age.

[manic-road]

How do all these cyclists compete at the highest level when they all seem to have asthma ?

Prior to the 2013 Olympic Games, 40% of the GB cycling team were diagnosed with asthma as opposed to 8% of the general population.

A good way to maybe get some type of performance enhancing drug. Purely coincidental I'm sure....

[Bostongbboy]

From BBC Sports web page: “Chris Froome: Team Sky rider says legacy will not be tainted by 'adverse' drugs test” dated 14thDec , further down the article..hope this helps your understanding. Also affects Athletics participants at all levels.

Why do so many elite athletes have asthma?

Analysis - Philippa Roxby, BBC health reporter

Top athletes are more likely to have asthma than the general population.

This is down to the large volumes of air they breathe in through their mouths when exercising at high intensity over long periods of time.

When the air is cold and dry, this can trigger asthma-related symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest, also known as exercise-induced asthma. Cyclists are particularly at risk because of the high aerobic element of the sport. Air pollution getting into the airways out on the road can also be a trigger.

Research suggests that about 35-40% of British Olympic cyclists use an inhaler, compared with 21% of the Olympic team as a whole and 9% of the general population.

If asthma is already diagnosed in elite athletes, then intensive exercise can make it worse - but if it is properly treated, the condition should not prove a disadvantage.

[Villa Lew]

SPOTY Lifetime Achievement Award, I would have there can only be one winner, Usain Bolt.

[Jon Crofts]

Ahhhh fuck it, something in my eye.

[dave shelley]

That was a tough watch.

[olaftab]

Interesting post thanks Bostongbboy. Another angle could be that taking Asthma medicine helps performance by doing exactly what it says in the article.

[spangley1812]

Froome has "gone out of the limb" with those comments about his Asthma/Inhaler if they find him guilty now he may look a bit silly

[Jon Crofts]

Clearly Froome was well briefed by Sky’s lawyers, fair play for allowing the question but he looked like he was very uncomfortable.

[spangley1812]

Anyone would look uncomfortable with possibly his career/legacy on the line

[Villa Lew]

SPOTY Lifetime Achievement Award, I would have there can only be one winner, Usain Bolt.

I know nothing, but well done Jess, should have won the main one in the past.