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.
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This girl got completely screwed (not saying she shouldn't have been suspended, though. A positive test is a positive test). I think people just need to get the heck off her back. Kirk linked to a good blog from the Seattle columnist in the previous topic. Some of the behavior of the panel re: a possible reduction of the ban to 6 months to allow Olympic participation seemed to go above and beyond the mandate of that panel. They were exploring the option of tailoring the suspension to suit Hardy. Not claiming there's anything untoward about the process. But it would definitely clear up any reservations if she wins her CAS hearing and WADA's appeal against the AAA's ruling is rejected.
However, my opinion is that if someone deliberately cheats then I support a lifetime ban. If they can present a case otherwise then a suspension is fine. But I don't like the comparisons to other sports particularly ones such as baseball. I don't want to achieve parity with the least common denominator when it comes to punitive anti doping policies. The self serving and hypocritical reactions of fans in other sports don't concern me.
This girl got completely screwed (not saying she shouldn't have been suspended, though. A positive test is a positive test). I think people just need to get the heck off her back. Kirk linked to a good blog from the Seattle columnist in the previous topic. Some of the behavior of the panel re: a possible reduction of the ban to 6 months to allow Olympic participation seemed to go above and beyond the mandate of that panel. They were exploring the option of tailoring the suspension to suit Hardy. Not claiming there's anything untoward about the process. But it would definitely clear up any reservations if she wins her CAS hearing and WADA's appeal against the AAA's ruling is rejected.
However, my opinion is that if someone deliberately cheats then I support a lifetime ban. If they can present a case otherwise then a suspension is fine. But I don't like the comparisons to other sports particularly ones such as baseball. I don't want to achieve parity with the least common denominator when it comes to punitive anti doping policies. The self serving and hypocritical reactions of fans in other sports don't concern me.
