This is the first Olympics I have watched with more knowledge on the extent of doping in sport. It has diminished it for me. But I can still enjoy it somewhat based on the assumption that they're all doing it. Even though there is bound to be some clean competitors. If you really think that doping in cycling doesn't go far beyond those that test positive... then how do you explain the "omerta"... if only a minority are doing it? And how do you explain why anyone would even consider doping if the majority of dopers are caught?ad9898 said:Now, in IMO for what its worth, your arguments were put far better in this post than your previous one, I understand now that your enjoyment is "lessoned" which is a point I definately accept, I agree with that to a point, however I just put it to the back of my mind unless real evidence is presented, it has to be like this otherwise anything other than mediocre performances would just be dismissed out of hand.
It would be great to go back to the days, say in the mid 90's where we thought that most performances were clean, unfortunately Pandora's box is open and it can't be closed.
I still enjoy watching competition. It would be much better if I had confidence everyone was clean. What I don't understand is why the IOC can't do more to eradicate it in international sport? Olympic sports at least. I mean... they clear over a billion dollars each Olympics... and give 92% of that to vague "investments in Olympic sports worldwide". Why not ramp up WADA even more and supertest everyone year round. It's a joke leaving it up to national federations IMO. Notwithstanding the conflict of interest... some countries just can't afford it. Eventually you may have the top athletes moving to non-testing countries like Jamaica.
I remember watching the Ben Johnson positive and being so disappointed. That 9.79 100m was one of the most thrilling races I have ever witnessed. For me... Carl Lewis was the clean hero... with the incredible physique... and the moral fortitude. Now many years later... I find out that Lewis was a doper and the US authorities kept it quiet. Wonderful.