Thursday, July 26, 2007

No More Heroes


No More Heroes, originally uploaded by vlad259.

I can't adequately put into words the dissapointment I feel at this year's (alleged, at this stage) cheats, especailly Vinokourov, Rasumssen and Sinkewitz. Luckily my son isn't old enough to understand they're cheating, which is just as well since-up to now- Ive portrayed these riders as heroes and role models for him.

What were they thinking? Were they consider the team-mates their actions have affected? Did Vino think his epic recovery wouldn't be subject to scrutiny? Did Rusmussen think he be let off for lying about his whereabouts, or even that a missed tests wouldn't be seen as 'accidental' in a sport sensitised by scandal?

In the future how can we look at heoric efforts like those of Vino and Rasmussen without discarding them as drug-fueled?

Bah. Life bans for doping- get caught, end of career. No messing.

My symphathies are with Bradley Wiggins, withdrawn from the Tour along with the rest of the Cofidis team following team member Moreni's positive test earlier this week.

2 comments:

amidnightrider said...

I really think it would difficult to find any professional athlete not using some kind of enhancing agent.

I don't have a problem with them doing that, probably because I don't follow any pro sports and also because I am old enough to remember when weight lifting was controversial.

Mike1727 said...

I can't support condoning drug use in sport at all. Allow drugs to be used at the top level and they'll be used by default just to remain competeitive. This will filter down to mass-participation sport eventually, with the same consequence.

My children will (hopefully) grow up to be a pretty good bike riders. I don't want them to feel pressured to use drugs to get results.

The message has to be clear- no drugs in sport. End of story.