Ben Johnson's steroid scandal broke all Canadians' hearts in 1988, including my 11-year-old one. But his only true failing in this day and age was getting caught. I highly doubt that Canada put any significant funding into drug-masking back then...or even now.
Back then, it was the USSR and East Germany that dominated the standings...with so many "handsome" female athletes with their mulllets! But now, our neighbours to the south have taken over as the leaders of the athletic world. Glory in the olympics, only to be exposed for the performance enhancement cheats they really are. Marion Jones, Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson, etc.
So why do they do it? They tarnish their reputations, serve jail time, and cast a negative shadow on the honourable sports they represent. Is it the pressure to perform, sponsorship dollars, unrealistic expectations? Whatever the reason, I feel that the original spirit of sport and competition have forever been compromised.
Will Usain Bolt's record-breaking 9.69 s in the 100-m 2-3 years down the road will be marred by scandal? Maybe I'm just cynical.
Don't get me started on China's attempt to hide their general shame (human rights violations, Tibet, environmental disregard, smog, painting their brown grass green, etc.) to present a clean and shiny face to the world for the Olympics. I don't buy any of it.
The Oympic motto should be changed to Higher, Faster, Stronger, Sinister.
imho
-A
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