Scandal rocks hot dog eating contest

“Anytime a competitive eater has their name mentioned in the same sentence as digestive enzymes, it’s going to cause a stir,” Reilly said in a smarmy and pompous tone. “And when that competitive eater just happens to be one of the premier personalities in your sport… well, you saw how the Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire thing turned out.”

Reilly also dispelled the myth that there is no accurate test for digestive enzyme levels. He explained there is a blood test that can accurately detect unnatural levels of digestive enzymes, but that competitive eating’s notoriously strong Eaters Union has rebuked attempts by the sport’s governing body to institute tougher testing standards.

Chestnut has been predictably quiet on the issue, initially only saying that his name would eventually be cleared. But earlier this week, he had a heated exchange with Reilly.

“It’s all rumor – completely untrue,” Chestnut said to a group of reporters. “I’ve never used digestive enzymes, and for the media to continue to give life to this story is irresponsible. You pariahs want proof? Then test me – anywhere, anytime.”

Reilly quickly offered to drive Chestnut to the nearest testing facility, even offering to pay for the test. But the two-time champ quickly backed out, saying he had to help open a local hot dog factory.

Since then, both Chestnut and Kobayashi have been unavailable for comment. William Booker, president of the World Competitive Eating Circuit, says the organization has looked into testing before, but that both the cost of testing and negative response from the Eaters Union have prevented them from doing anything. SSNN will continue to follow this story and provide updates when available.

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Labels: competitive eating, competitive eating scandal, ESPN, Fourth of July, hot dogs, Joey Chestnut, Mark McGwire, Nathan's Hotdog Eating Championship, Rick Reilly, Sammy Sosa, steroids, Takeru Kobayashi, William Booker

Posted on July 10th, 2008

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