Dara Torres-Amazing

I think elite athletes in most sports should be subject to random, unannounced drug tests throughout the year. Not just at competition events but at any time. This is the only way to catch athletes that might otherwise time their use of PEDs to avoid positive tests at races. It also puts fear into athletes that they could be tested at any time. Consequences of a positive, proven, test should be severe. I am not convinced lifetime is appropriate on first offense - mostly because I am not 100% confident in the operations of leading testing labs. Although Floyd Landis' positive test was ultimately confirmed - his appeal showed the lab in France was run poorly. Samples were not protected at all time, etc. For Paul - what do you think of Dara's very proactive position on testing? As a doubter - do you just believe she is just incredibly confident that her regimen is foolproof and cannot be caught by either today's or tomorrow's testing? Is she just willing to risk it - and the complete disgrace that would occur if she fails a test next year? If her blood samples show a positive result five years from now she would be stripped of any Olympic medals and any records would be withdrawn. Just as with Marion Jones. Perhaps worse, medals won by teammates on relays would also be stripped. A positive test would probably carry a huge negative impact to her professional life - whatever it is - at the time.

I think elite athletes in most sports should be subject to random, unannounced drug tests throughout the year. Not just at competition events but at any time. This is the only way to catch athletes that might otherwise time their use of PEDs to avoid positive tests at races. It also puts fear into athletes that they could be tested at any time. Consequences of a positive, proven, test should be severe. I am not convinced lifetime is appropriate on first offense - mostly because I am not 100% confident in the operations of leading testing labs. Although Floyd Landis' positive test was ultimately confirmed - his appeal showed the lab in France was run poorly. Samples were not protected at all time, etc. For Paul - what do you think of Dara's very proactive position on testing? As a doubter - do you just believe she is just incredibly confident that her regimen is foolproof and cannot be caught by either today's or tomorrow's testing? Is she just willing to risk it - and the complete disgrace that would occur if she fails a test next year? If her blood samples show a positive result five years from now she would be stripped of any Olympic medals and any records would be withdrawn. Just as with Marion Jones. Perhaps worse, medals won by teammates on relays would also be stripped. A positive test would probably carry a huge negative impact to her professional life - whatever it is - at the time.