I've got to agree with the "harsh" posters here as well. We have to stop making excuses, searching for extenuating circumstances, and blaming supplement manufacturing for the dopers. They are doping, plain and simple. It is inconceivable that every American swimmer that tests positive must have been a victim of a circumstance beyond their control. We have to face the fact, that even in the oh-so-clean sport of American swimming, there are people that are going to cheat. If our collective reaction when we hear about a foreign swimmer getting caught is "hah.. knew it was too good to be true" then what have we to say when we hear it about one of "ours"?
There's been so much banter about "intent" and "moral judgment" but the facts of the case are that (1) she was taking supplements, despite the risks (2) she failed a doping test at OT's (3) she has dropped the appeals process and withdrawn from the team. You get to piece together the puzzle. If I had spent the last 4 years of my life training clean to make the Olympics, potentially a once in a lifetime chance, and found out I failed a drug test, I'd be appealing right up until the gun went off to start my preliminary heat. To me, not doing so is an admission of guilt.
And I would agree with a lifetime ban. If we are to take the anti-doping agencies seriously, then dish out serious punishments.
I've got to agree with the "harsh" posters here as well. We have to stop making excuses, searching for extenuating circumstances, and blaming supplement manufacturing for the dopers. They are doping, plain and simple. It is inconceivable that every American swimmer that tests positive must have been a victim of a circumstance beyond their control. We have to face the fact, that even in the oh-so-clean sport of American swimming, there are people that are going to cheat. If our collective reaction when we hear about a foreign swimmer getting caught is "hah.. knew it was too good to be true" then what have we to say when we hear it about one of "ours"?
There's been so much banter about "intent" and "moral judgment" but the facts of the case are that (1) she was taking supplements, despite the risks (2) she failed a doping test at OT's (3) she has dropped the appeals process and withdrawn from the team. You get to piece together the puzzle. If I had spent the last 4 years of my life training clean to make the Olympics, potentially a once in a lifetime chance, and found out I failed a drug test, I'd be appealing right up until the gun went off to start my preliminary heat. To me, not doing so is an admission of guilt.
And I would agree with a lifetime ban. If we are to take the anti-doping agencies seriously, then dish out serious punishments.
