TO Star article: Man Lost 252 pounds in 10 months - at a gym?

Interesting article in the Star - apparently this man had gastric bypass surgery in July 2010, entered a contest at the gym he belonged to, won a wad of cash, and failed to mention his WLS (oops).  Controversy!!  Your thoughts?

Mine are that he damned well should have told them about his WLS - rather an unfair advantage and in my opinion, false advertising on behalf of Extreme Fitness, now that they know and the story is out.

http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/1030523--stomach-s tapling-patient-wins-gym-s-weight-loss-competition?bn=1

I agree! It should have been mentioned that he had WLS! That was a real unfair disadvantage for the other people involved in the competition.

It says they were fully aware of the surgery before hand. I personally think the company is using this man and it's unfair.

But Extreme Fitness was fully aware of Richardson’s surgery when he entered the contest, and when it produced the promotional material. “Of course we knew," Solomon said, adding again that it was not relevant.

I totally agree with you Karen.  It's false advertising on Extreme fitness' part.  And for the man to truly think that his bypass wasn't a major factor in that massive weight loss is a total crock. 

My understanding is that the man who won was open about his WLS with Extreme Fitness.

With Extreme Fitness perhaps - but not with fellow-competitors, who were certainly at a disadvantage.  Apparently it came to light by accident when someone read his personal blog about his WL journey.

Sadness,  Does this mean you want me to give up the BMW and the Vegas vacation??

Agree! 

Having lived in other countries for many years, I can state with some certainty (and some pride) that we Canadian do indeed have national traits.
And one of our primary traits is indignation when something is patently unfair.

Irrespective of this one business's ethical stance, I think we can all agree that this was grossly unfair to the other contestants.
They literally worked their butts off - and someone walks away with a prize they never had any chance of winning.
Now, that they did a good thing for themselves is self-evident - but it was still unfair.

Life isn't fair, we all know it, and these yokels just proved it again.
I feel sympathy for the duped contestants.

I agree, totally unfair to the competitors.  I'm glad that the winner was upfront about his surgery at least, but the fitness centre is definitely in the wrong!