OH DEAR! Really not what we want to see in Triathlon. There was a belief that Tri was a clean sport up until recently. It really personified all of the elements of endurance, speed, technique but more importantly fair play, camaraderie and sportsmanship. These elements still prevail but we have to accept that Triathlon now is as dirty as any other international sport and all because of one thing - MONEY!Don't get me wrong, money is not a dirty word, I quite like it as a matter of fact and the more of it in triathlon the better. Remember, it wasn't the sponsors, the endorsements or the prize money that stuck the needles into the athletes, it was a conscious decision by the athlete themselves and often their coaches too.
Other than the personal damage that it is causing them physically it is no different to a Company Executive lying about his qualifications to gain promotion (money), and it certainly can be argued that it is similar to a businessman committing fraud for financial gain. A doped up athlete is certainly competing under false pretences.
In business the examples above usually result in the guilty becoming unemployable in their chosen field and often even prison sentences. In sports the athletes are banned for two years, they can then go away, work on their technique and fitness, no doubt dope as much as they like and then come back to where they left off in "better" shape! THIS CANNOT BE RIGHT, CAN IT?
They intended to cheat and to defraud in order to gain glory and the financial spoils that go with it. Not only that, they do it on the world stage, in the spotlight of the world media and worst of all they are the role models of the world's youth. These lessons of cheating and shortcuts will be taken into every aspect of society, business, family etc...
In conclusion - LIFE BANS PLEASE AND IN EXTREME CASES LET'S START SEEING SOME PRISON SENTENCES.
Finally as a footnote, just in case you think my view a little extreme then get this - I believe that drafting should be a capital offence in Non-drafting races - shot at the prize-giving, that's what I say. If you plan to draft at Powerman, be warned, the enforcer will be there!
1 comment:
I've only learnt about the triathlon scene not more than 2 years. I think this is my first encounter with a doping stint. Definitely a shocker.
I sort of saw it coming. She didn't look 'natural' when I watched the Doha tri on tele. She's like a guy with a slightly wider hip.
Come to think of it again, we don't really need lab tests to confirm women doping. If she's strong and gorgeous, then she's clean. I think that's why we all love Kim Yap. ;)
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