Don't Be a Dope

I don't know about you but the Tour just doesn't have the same excitement for me yet as it has in previous years, probably due in part to the drug/blood doping scandal eliminating all of the major tour contenders. I'm sure that LA's retirement also lends itself to my disinterest as his involvement made every race exciting. As a fan of cycling, I know I'll 'get into it'…it's just taking some time to adjust to the new dynamics and personalities.

As for the drug/blood doping scandal, I think it's a shame that the sport of cycling at that level is so 'dirty'. I am sure there are 'clean' athletes competing and I respect them…it's just becoming harder and harder to have any faith as more and more allegations of doping become public. Of course, athletes should have the right to a trial and it's poor that many are 'presumed guilty' in the public eye before having a chance to prove their innocence.

However, once convicted through due process, I think cheaters should be given a penalty more harsh than simply a 2-year suspension. Personally, I don't think I could face the public, the fans or even look at myself in the mirror the same way after getting caught (or knowing that I'm cheating!), as some riders do. Where is their honor and self-respect? How can someone on dope (or cheating through other illegal/unethical methods) 'win' an event and feel anything but shallow and insignificant, knowing that they were aided by pharmaceuticals or other performance enhancing means deemed 'illegal'? I just don't 'get it' and probably never will. To me, there is no honor in winning at 'any cost', especially when it involves blatant cheating.

Whatever the case may be, the fact is that at the highest level of all sports (including the 'big three' American sports) where there is so much money and prestige at stake, athletes will push the limits in order to gain an edge over the competition. There was a study done many years ago that asked a sampling of Olympic caliber athletes: "If you could take a drug that would guarantee a Gold Medal but would kill you in five years, would you take it?". An overwhelming number of those athletes said, "YES".

Personally, I got involved in endurance sports for the healthy and energetic lifestyle it fosters and encourages. I hope that the sport of cycling 'cleans up' and survives this latest 'black eye' again as it did after the Festina Affair in the late 1990's…but who knows.

Train Safe and Train Smart,
Coach Troy


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