A fan of professional cycling knows all to well about the presence of performance enhancing drugs in the sport. In the past years mainstream sports like football and baseball have been linked to the use of drugs. It seems you could watch every grand tour, just waiting for the next cyclist to get caught using some sort of banned substance.
It makes sense to be cynical about professional cycling, but does this carry over into the other professional sports you follow?
I was reading this article in The Province today and this section struck me as odd.
The Canucks got nothing from their power play or the Sedins. But what they did get was a memorable performance from Hodgson and a rejuvenated Kesler, who looked like he upgraded his horsepower kit, and tossed on a new set of tires. Kesler was playing significantly better than he has in weeks and said it was no coincidence his linemates, Chris Higgins and David Booth, were together and healthy again for really the first time in six weeks.
It seems to me, in the cycling world, if anyone pulled off a similar performance like Kesler, some serious questions would be asked. Maybe it's just the cynical cycling fan in me? I'm sure no drugs were used, it probably was the three days off between games and the return of his linemates.
I probably shouldn't allow the use of drugs in cycling ruin my enjoyment of hockey.
I read the same thing too, and the thought of PEDs did not cross my mind, although perhaps it should have. I chalked it up to motivation from Coach Vee's comments. Andrew really, no athletes in North America are on PEDs. And every cyclist is. The media focus is such that it is taboo to even challenge that idea with each city's respective sports team/market/industry.
ReplyDeleteThe black eye that cycling has from PEDs will not go away. I am sure that the North American pro sports leagues balk at the idea of testing their own athletes (perhaps a reason why baseball is not an Olympic sport, nor an Olympic sport with pro players) as an attempt to circle the wagons and protect their $$$$ investments. Until a player dies due to PEDs, the doctors, management, trainers, and players will be continue to try an get an edge on their opponents in any way possible. When faced with the possibility of signing a colossal contract, or playing in the minors (or CFL), it is no wonder that one's morals would be challenged to make a decision to juice, or not too. It is a win-win for everyone involved....just don't ask the NHL-NBA-MLB-NFL to start testing their athletes. There is a reason these league have flimsy doping controls.
I still love and watch the Canucks....and they all work really hard, and don't do drugs. Can we not just talk about the goalie conundrum, instead of something (like this) worth talking about? Shame on you for not believing in the team! ;)