All this fuss about drugs in the peloton! But I haven't seen mention of (USA) baseball's big coup. They took out one of the game's heros for testing positive for steroids. He got.... a 10 day suspension. Wow.
The US press gives no mention that I can hear about cycling's 2 year suspension, or stricter testing rules. Baseball is one of the big 4 of American sports, and they're busy patting themselves on the back about their great drug testing program.
For me, this is a feel-good moment for cycling. Cycling has always been ahead of the curve on drug testing. Now is a moment to reflect that while our sport may have issues with drugs, it is far better than any of the headline sports in the USA.
All this fuss about drugs in the peloton! But I haven't seen mention of (USA) baseball's big coup. They took out one of the game's heros for testing positive for steroids. He got.... a 10 day suspension. Wow.
The US press gives no mention that I can hear about cycling's 2 year suspension, or stricter testing rules. Baseball is one of the big 4 of American sports, and they're busy patting themselves on the back about their great drug testing program.
For me, this is a feel-good moment for cycling. Cycling has always been ahead of the curve on drug testing. Now is a moment to reflect that while our sport may have issues with drugs, it is far better than any of the headline sports in the USA.
Americans want to watch Derek Jeter hit baseballs. They pay money in order to watch it. The team owners know this. The team owners also own MLB, so they make their own rules. Hence, they will never create rules that make it terribly difficult for paying customers to come and see the players they want to see.
When Steroid use starts to affect game attendance, then you'll see some changes. But not until then.
A player would have to get popped 5 times to get just half the suspension of an IOC athlete. If that's the policy, then trust me, ad revenues are not being affected by steroids in the slightest.
The new policy is the minimum amount neccessary to head-off immediate congressional intervention. They fear congress more than they fear loss of dollars at the moment.
In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...
Quoted message said:
The new policy is the minimum amount neccessary to head-off immediate congressional intervention. They fear congress more than they fear loss of dollars at the moment.
The only reason they fear congress is because some know nothing politician will enact a stupid law that will cut into their revenue. It's all about the money. ------------------- Alex
Not to worry, the two latest players to get popped will stir a new round of Capitol Hill grumbings. Not to say that this will yield any results. Baseball has to want drugs t end before they actually do. It has nothing to do with the public. Just like DUI laws do little to deter DUI's. The alcoholic has to want to stop.
Note that the players union opposed both suspensions
Not to worry, the two latest players to get popped will stir a new round of Capitol Hill grumbings. Not to say that this will yield any results. Baseball has to want drugs t end before they actually do. It has nothing to do with the public. Just like DUI laws do little to deter DUI's. The alcoholic has to want to stop.
True, but DUI statutes about 15 years ago had few teeth. Now, in many states, a third offence means certain prison time. Regardless how you feel about rehabilitation vs. punishment, they're off the road for a while.
