It is simple realism to acknowledge that something will not work, and to stop trying to make it work. Seventy-five years ago it was this recognition that led America to repeal the Constitutional Amendment on prohibition. The “great experiment” was unenforceable and it was time to abandon it.
The comparison is pertinent today in relation to sports. Some argue it would simply be realistic to pay big-time time scholarship college athletes, instead of skirting the issue for such “student athletes.” This may eventually be a realistic decision. I don’t believe we’ve come to that point yet. Enforcement of NCAA rules is difficult, but not yet impossible.
Likewise in all sports, there is a growing cry to acknowledge and permit the use of steroids to enhance performance. There are tests to detect this. The purpose of testing is simply to “level the playing field” for all athletes.
The mills of the gods grind slowly to accomplish this, as proven in the case of former UNC Olympic track star Marion Jones. Another case yet evolving is that of home run king Barry Bonds. The system hasn’t yet failed in those instances.
It’s simple justice to not to give anyone a chemical advantage they’d not otherwise have. The system to insure this hasn’t failed yet.
December 14, 2007 at 4:57 pm
In light of the report that was issued yesterday, the solution seems simple to me. ML baseball, the NFL, NHL etc. should all have a comprehensive drug testing program. The commisioners in each league should decide which drugs they are willing to accept, and which they aren’t. Then you simply submit players to random comprehensive testing. If they fail, they don’t play. Businesses do it every day. It’s not a complicated system.
It’s not too expensive – -50 random drug tests a month per team might cost $2000 or $25,000 a year to have clean atheletes and the faith of the fans again. In an age where Alex Rodriguez just yesterday signed a 10 year contract for 275 million dollars, that is literally pennies.
Sure there are those that enjoy watching amped up atheletes play. But I believe the average middle class American sports fan would be 100 % behind players that are playing on their own merits. Sure, there will be some fallout, but it’s no different than when Darryl Strawberry couldn’t stay off cocaine in the 80’s. A huge talent went to waste. It was his choice.
We need to get back to the glory days when good atheletes competed on their own merits, not on the strength they receive from a syringe.