Separate Drugs from Sports

Matt Slater wrote «Olympic Ideals Survive Chambers Challenge» in the BBC Olympic Blog. The subject was the ruling of the British High Court in favour of the British Olympic Association and against Dwain Chambers. Dwain Chambers is a Sports Runner from London who received a lifetime ban from competing in International Competitions for Great Britain by the British Olympic Association in 2003 after being tested positive for THG [which is a steroid] in 2003. The Lifetime Ban was the creation of the Chief of the British Olympic Association Sir Arthur Gold in response to the doping and steroid scandals of the 1990’s. Afterwards, China and Great Britain are the only countries with the lifetime ban.

There have been people who protested against this decision using as an example Torrie Edwards and Katerina Thanou who tested positive for steroids but are going to the Olympics in 2008. Torrie Edwards [who should have banned for life] served fifteen months of a two year ban for testing positive for nikethamide [a stimulant]. Nikethamide has been downgraded within the list of banned substances. Greece did select Thanou for the Olympics but this was another mistake. Marion Jones is another example of a professional sports athlete that turned sour. Marion Jones admitted to drug use and has lost her medals, dignity, and is probably doing prison time with the possibility of community service.

The people who are in disagree with a life time ban for professional athletes do not take into account that Sports and Drugs do not mix. People have to be responsible for their actions and face the consequences. I applaud the decision to ban sports athletes for life secondary to drug use since they are models for youths and other people who are into sports. It sends a message to those who watch sports that states the following [directly or indirectly]: «Sport Athletes are not above the law and regulations of countries and associations. Those who use illicit drugs while practicing sports should be dealt with and banned».

I conclude with the following response to Matt Slater: «Congratulations on an Excellent Article. I support your article and the stance of China and Great Britain on punishing those who use drugs and play sports. I believe that Drugs have no place in Sports and that a Lifetime ban should serve as an example for those to think clearly and reflect». In other words, think before using drugs.

REFERENCE:

Slater, Matt: «Olympic Ideals Survive Chambers Challenge» BBC Sports; 18th July 2008 11:09AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/olympics/2008/07/chambers.html