I watched the East-German women (and men) win plenty of medals they did not deserve - and I always thought the punishments for doping were almost too light - but now I am starting to change my opinion.
I am sick and tired of watching football, baseball and basketball players get a slap on the wrist at worst - for obvious doping violations, while swimmers (and track athletes and cyclists) get vilified for offenses that are the same or even less severe. Just in this last month there was an actual countdown for Manny Ramirez to come back to the Dodgers -- he got standing ovations after a 50 game or 2 months supsension -- they had special promotions and what have you not. If you read the responses on Jessica Hardy dopng ban reduction ( a few months ago), there are people out there who want to throw out of the sport for good --- that is just plain wrong.
I think a six months suspension was more than enough - and that crazy Olympic ban rule has to be some sort of joke. I will accept that as soon as the US basketball, hockey and baseball team has to go through the same testing the swimmers have to pass through.
If any professional sports organization wants to make a definitive statement regarding doping, I think the strongest one would be to ban the convicted player from competing for life, no exceptions, no excuses.
However, given that such a penalty would potentially get rid of many cash cows, I don't see that ever happening.
If any professional sports organization wants to make a definitive statement regarding doping, I think the strongest one would be to ban the convicted player from competing for life, no exceptions, no excuses.
However, given that such a penalty would potentially get rid of many cash cows, I don't see that ever happening.
