Doping is a Disease

Identifying the sick

Let's call it like it is. A doper is a sick person, only like any disease of the brain the victim can appear totally normal. Only they are not. The psychological affects of winning through cheating is an addiction. It's a high. This type of activity can be so harmful in a number of ways. Take Ricco for example, his dependency on blood doping was so intense he began to self administrate his stored bags, likely from an Igloo cooler. He nearly died, kidney's were shutting down, it's sort of a miracle he didn't and yet he still exhibits signs of a very sick person. Denial, anger, blame.

We can place all the blame on the athlete who cheats, oust them from the sport, shame them, separate them from an activity that they've spent a lifetime practicing, but how does that fix the problem? When I think of Pantani taking his own life because he was too ashamed to leave his hotel and was completely shunned by the people and sport he obviously adored I can't help but feel sad. Somewhere, someone let him down. 

The UCI's responsibility

And who is supposed to be looking out for the well being of these sick people? The International Cyclist Union or the UCI. I won't speculate on what has been happening in the recent past, whether it's cover ups, lies who cares. The responsibility of the Cyclist Union is to represent the best interests of  the athletes. In this case, fixing the problem isn't like cleaning house. Were talking about human beings, and as I mentioned earlier they are sick beings.

What's needed? A form of rehab. And on top of that, creating ambassadors of clean sport. These rehabilitated riders should serve the same example as a crack addict at a junior high school would. They need to scare the shit out of young riders, tell their stories. I'm sure stories of fucked up transfusions, mislabeled blood bags or anything like that would serve to dissuade a young mind from ever taking that path.

What scares me most

The thought of a high school league being infected with this disease is super scary. We need to ensure the youth who's racing in HS now never has the impulse to cheat. We have a beautiful farm of talent coming up from the NICA programs that will ultimately feed our JR National team and ultimate our next generations of champions. How do we keep the HS league pure?

Ex Doper Speakers

Tyler Hamilton has possibly had the most grueling battle in the public eye since his cheating was discovered. His last bust was for anti-depressants not EPO. I'm sure it's been hard to find any joy for him. The opportunity to make a difference may be therapeutic for a guy like him. Part of the rehab process should include a speaking series by reformed dopers. Put them in front of JRs and HS league riders and let them tell their story. Scare the shit out of those kids. 

Who can save us

We need a hero to save road racing. Who can do it? My hope is riding on Taylor Phinney, we need him to win a Grand Tour (No pressure). If we can find a clean young man to believe in road racing, the sponsorship that goes with it and the interest in the sport will rebound.