The hottest Athletics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Spanish Tennis' Long Doping History

Honest Sport • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Spanish tennis has a long history of doping, starting from as early as 1959 when players used testosterone injections. This trend has continued with multiple doping cases over the years.
  2. Since 1996, there have been twelve doping cases involving Spanish players, with some achieving rankings in the top 100. This raises concerns about fairness in competition.
  3. The lack of transparency from tennis authorities regarding doping cases can hurt the reputation of clean athletes in Spain. Many believe that serious issues in the sport need more open discussion and accountability.

Sir Mo Farah's running partner filmed buying EPO in Kenya

Honest Sport • 39 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Sir Mo Farah trained with a pacemaker who was later caught buying EPO, a performance-enhancing drug, in Kenya. This raises questions about his training environment.
  2. Farah has been linked to controversial figures in athletics, including a coach under investigation for doping violations. This could negatively impact his reputation in the sport.
  3. While Farah has never failed a drug test, the associations with doping-related individuals and suspicious activity concerning blood tests create a cloud of doubt around his career.

Career Transition Complete

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 25 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. After seven years, the career change is finally done. It feels amazing to get paid doing what I love, especially after struggling to find my path.
  2. I used to dislike running and public speaking, but now they are central to my work. This shows that interests can change, and you may find joy in unexpected places.
  3. Talking with mentors is important. Conversations can lead to new ideas and connections, helping to support and grow your passions.

The Running Life

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 17 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Running can feel really tough, especially when you suddenly find yourself not as fast or strong as before. It's normal to experience ups and downs in physical ability during growth.
  2. High school can be hard when you don't fit into either the 'athlete' or 'academic' categories. It's okay to struggle to find where you belong.
  3. Finding a new passion, like writing, can bring back confidence and happiness, allowing you to enjoy activities like running for fun rather than competition.

Injury-free or it doesn’t count

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Injuries can be serious for athletes, and pushing through pain isn't always the best choice. It's important to listen to your body and take time to recover.
  2. The culture of 'no pain, no gain' can affect how we think about training and progress. Sometimes, we need to rethink our goals and focus on doing what's safe for our bodies.
  3. Minimizing running miles and accepting help when offered can be a smart way to stay healthy. It's okay to change your approach to fitness to prevent injuries.
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Celebrating wins

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 21 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Celebrating your wins helps boost your energy and motivation. It's important to take a moment to enjoy your achievements instead of just focusing on what to improve.
  2. Public speaking can be challenging, but overcoming that fear can lead to great personal growth and satisfaction. It feels rewarding to push through and succeed in something you once dreaded.
  3. Having a positive mindset about your journey can inspire you to keep improving. Working with a coach can help elevate your skills and spread a good message about mental health and performance.

The French Open’s Biggest Lie Is Hiding in Plain Sight

Huddle Up • 22 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. The clay courts at the French Open aren't actually made of clay soil; they're topped with red dust from bricks used in French houses.
  2. Beneath the red dust, there are multiple layers that include stone and crushed limestone, making the court structure complex.
  3. Unlike other sports venues, the grounds crew at Roland Garros uses their hands to check court moisture instead of using high-tech tools.

The past steroid allegations against McLaughlin, Felix, Mu's coach

Honest Sport • 19 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Coach Bob Kersee faced steroid allegations in the late 1980s, when an athlete claimed Kersee provided him with banned substances. Even though he denied these claims, they have lingered in discussions about his coaching.
  2. Despite his controversial past, Kersee has trained successful athletes like Sydney McLaughlin and Allyson Felix without significant doping scandals in their careers. His later coaching has been marked by clean performances.
  3. In recent discussions, other coaches have come under scrutiny for doping allegations, suggesting that anti-doping authorities may need to focus on them rather than Kersee, whose athletes have largely passed doping tests.

Up to 103 tennis players failed doping tests and escaped bans

Honest Sport • 19 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Many tennis players have failed drug tests but faced no penalties. Out of 156 players who tested positive from 2013 to 2019, around 103 didn’t receive any sanctions.
  2. The International Tennis Federation has reduced the testing for blood doping significantly since 2018. This might have allowed players to avoid detection during important tournaments.
  3. The rules around doping cases can be confusing, as some players can continue playing even after testing positive for certain drugs, leading to a lack of transparency about who is really being punished.

The Timeline: Team Sky and British Cycling – when success surpassed ethics

Honest Sport • 19 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Team Sky started as a clean cycling team, but they faced many challenges and made questionable choices on their way to winning major events like the Tour de France.
  2. They experienced controversies related to doping, including secret drug tests and hiring doctors with questionable backgrounds which raised ethical concerns.
  3. Despite achieving significant success at competitions, the team's actions led to scandals that complicated their reputation and the integrity of their victories.

There Are More People Interested in Why They're No Longer Interested in the NBA Than Are Interested in the NBA

House of Strauss • 36 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. More people are curious about why interest in the NBA is falling than about the games themselves. It's a sign that fans might feel disconnected from the sport.
  2. There’s a lot of talk about NBA ratings dropping, especially after a big TV deal was made. This seems to have made many media figures more comfortable discussing these issues openly.
  3. Many people are more focused on discussing NBA ratings and the league's problems instead of the actual basketball. This shows a shift in what fans care about.

The (Secret) Process To Becoming A Member At Augusta National Golf Club

Huddle Up • 38 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Augusta National Golf Club has a secretive membership process that's not easy to break into. Getting invited is a big deal and usually involves knowing the right people.
  2. This year, some notable figures joined the club including Eli Manning and the CEOs of Delta and Amazon. These new members highlight the club's allure among influential individuals.
  3. Membership at Augusta is very exclusive and considered prestigious. Being a member comes with a certain level of status in the golfing community.

Is Notre Dame's Independent Status Actually An Advantage?

Huddle Up • 22 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Notre Dame's independent status gives the school a financial edge. They keep all the money from performance bonuses instead of sharing it with other schools.
  2. Unlike conference teams, Notre Dame can choose its schedule and doesn't have to play a conference championship game, which many think is unfair.
  3. Some football coaches believe all teams should be in conferences and compete equally. However, the actual financial benefits of Notre Dame's status paint a different picture.

Welcome to the Blunderdome

Donkeyspace • 9 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Sports have rules that are not just obstacles but shape the essence of the game. These rules create a space for optimal performance and define what the sport is.
  2. Introducing steroids into sports complicates things because it blurs the lines of fair competition. Athletes might feel pressured to use them just to keep up with others.
  3. Winning in sports should be about passion and effort, not about using substances to gain an edge. The joy of playing and the challenge of competition should be what drives athletes.

How The Field At Caesars Superdome Is Being Prepared (And Tested) For Super Bowl LIX

Huddle Up • 17 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. The field at Caesars Superdome is being specially prepared and tested for Super Bowl LIX. This ensures that the players have a safe and reliable surface to play on.
  2. There was a lot of criticism about the field during the previous Super Bowl because players were slipping. This highlights the importance of having a good playing surface.
  3. Proper field maintenance is crucial to prevent issues like slipping and sliding, which can affect the game's outcome and players' safety.

Italy’s Clostebol doping crisis across tennis, football and the Olympics

Honest Sport • 1 HN point • 22 May 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, is being found in many Italian athletes across sports like tennis and football. This has raised concerns about doping practices in the country.
  2. Many athletes claim they accidentally ingested clostebol through creams or sprays, but warnings about its presence are clearly labeled on the products. This makes some people question the legitimacy of these claims.
  3. Doping doctors may be involved in promoting the use of clostebol as a way to avoid detection, similar to how testosterone is used. This raises suspicions about the ongoing doping culture in Italian sports.

The Abolition Of Woman

Reactionary Feminist • 9 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Athletics
  1. The biotech of the Left and the Right both view women as a problem to be solved.
  2. Transhumanist efforts to engineer perfect athletes intersect with efforts to engineer phenotypic sex.
  3. The Enhanced Games promotes freedom-enhancing biotech with an emphasis on competitive excellence, framing biomedical interventions as a right.

Athletes Play Coordination Games – Coordination Part III

Living Fossils • 6 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Sports are a way for humans to measure and compare abilities, leading to the motivation to compete and demonstrate skills.
  2. Different sports have different rules to solve coordination problems - the rules must be agreed upon to accurately measure abilities.
  3. Penalties and fouls in sports serve two main purposes: maintaining the integrity of the game as a measurement tool and deterring harmful actions.

🐿️ Racewalking - The IPT Newsletter

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Racewalking is a competitive sport with strict rules, requiring athletes to keep one foot on the ground and their legs straight. This makes the sport challenging yet fascinating to watch.
  2. Just like racewalkers practice their skills for years, leaders should also work on their conversation techniques to build better relationships and trust in their teams.
  3. Improving communication takes effort and practice, much like training for a race. Small changes in how you talk can lead to big improvements in team culture and effectiveness.

File under awesome

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 11
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. Seeing someone wear a #37 Strasburg jersey is a cool sight. It reminds us of baseball's history, especially the Expos.
  2. Jerseys can spark memories and conversations about teams and players. It's fun to share those moments with others.
  3. Fashion can connect us to sports and their past, showing pride in our favorite teams.

#19 - Olympic Medalist Marcus Daniell discusses Competitive Mindset in Tennis

Win-Win • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 24
🎙 Podcasts Athletics
  1. Being a pro tennis player requires a lot of sacrifices. It's important to balance your passion with your mental health.
  2. As players get older, their approach to competition changes. They learn new strategies and adjust their mindset as they gain experience.
  3. Marcus Daniell highlights the need for athletes to give back. Through his organization, he encourages them to support effective charities.

Sundry baseball thoughts

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Sep 11
🎾 Sports Athletics
  1. There's concern that Stephen Strasburg may not meet the high expectations set for him, and it's possible that his best performances are behind him.
  2. Safeco Field, while modern and full of amenities, lacks the traditional feel of a baseball game, making it less enjoyable for some fans.
  3. Little League pitch count rules change how teams strategize during games, which might affect both player development and the overall fun of the game.