The whole “failed drug tests” bit reminds me that I’ve heard that pretty much all professional athletes use performance enhancing chemicals in some way, but do so in ways that are sanctioned or at least not able to be detected. This rests something on the presumption that drug tests are not given at random points in time at an athlete’s career, but that they can plan for exactly when they are going to be tested, and can train heavily under their influence for most of their career so long as there’s no trace remaining when they test. From what I’ve read, this is pretty much standard procedure, but I’m also willing to believe it’s the work of trolls trying to conjure up conspiracy theories. One would think it should be simple to catch everyone if they really wanted to: simply require drug tests every week for years before any finish counted; if you wanted to become eligible as a professional athlete, you would have to submit yourself to these tests by participating labs. It’s certainly possible that most organizations don’t do this because they know everyone’s really cheating, and by giving them all a heads-up as to the infrequency of testing, they are able to push a more interesting product while claiming to be looking for cheaters.