TOlex Schwazer is one of the contestants of Big Brother 2023. The Italian 50 km Olympic champion walker Beijing 2008 he decided to participate in the famous Canale 5 reality show to be able to tell his story to as many people as possible. And to take his personal revenge, after the disqualification for doping until 2024.
Alex Schwazer: Olympic gold and first disqualification
Born in Vipiteno, in the autonomous province of Bolzano, Alex Schwazer started practicing athletics at 15 years oldcompeting in the middle distance. His greatest success came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when he triumphed in the 50km race walk event. With 3 hours, 37 minutes and 9 seconds, Schwazer earned a gold medal and scored a new Olympic record.
On August 6, 2012, however, after a surprise doping control by the World Anti-Doping Agency, Alex Schwazer tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin. And for this reason he was expelled from the 50 km race walking team of the Olympic Games which would have been held a few days later and was suspended.
Alex Schwazer in the moment of victory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Credit: VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images
Doping and depression
As he had the opportunity to say shortly before entering the House of Big Brotherbut also in Silvia Toffanin’s living room, a very truea few days ago, that was a very complex moment for him. «After the 2008 Beijing Olympics I would have needed to rest, but that wasn’t my way of thinking. I had to train better and better and for this I stumbled into doping. Then I fell into depression. I wasn’t well and I thought that doping was the way out: I was wrong, but in certain moments it’s difficult to realize it».
But the athlete’s story did not end with this disqualification. In fact, in August 2016, a few days before the Rio Olympics, Schwazer was disqualified again because he tested positive for doping. If it is true that the athlete has always admitted his responsibilities regarding his first disqualification, at the same time he has always denied having used substances in preparation for the Rio Olympics.
Alex Schwazer’s second disqualification: «It wasn’t my fault»
In fact, he explained a few moments before entering the house Big Brother Alex Schwazer: «I was disqualified during the Rio Olympics for 8 years because I tested positive. It was not my fault. I never did dope on that occasion, in fact the return of the disqualification in London was difficult. There I really tried to give a lot more guarantees, so it was very bad.”
And he concluded: «It is still complicated for me to look back on those days. I never gave up and took every opportunity possible. I have never stopped in these 7 years and I hope to be able to participate in the qualifying competitions for next year’s Olympics».
But this is all in doubt because if it is true that he was acquitted by ordinary justice in 2021at the same time for the sports one it will have to remain still until 7 July 2024. If sporting justice were not to reduce his disqualification, Alex Schwazer (38 years old) would not have time to qualify, given that the pre-Olympic competitions are before that date.
While waiting to have new answers, Alex Schwazer chose the Big Brother as a place where you can send messages, from which you can make yourself feel strong. And not only. Indeed, in the garden of the House, a particular treadmill was placed, positioned there for his daily workouts.
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