Life time ban?

A system which operates a policy of handing out life time bans leaves little room for flexibility. The problem of doping in cycling has become so widespread that drastic action is needed and justified. With such a system in place there would be causalities, their would be innocents who, through stupidity and ignorance, are caught by the system. The question should be posed: Has the problem reached a level which necessitates such action? Drug cheats, in order to maintain their way of life, look to exploit any legislative shortcomings for their own gain. The system needs to be ‘excessively harsh’ to eradicate not only dopers but also the would-be dopers. The penalties for failure to comply with the rules must be so harsh that cheating becomes incomprehensible. Athletes at such a high level are subjected to so many controls that they are acutely aware of everything they ingest. Anybody who comes into modern sport or who aspires to participate in sport at its highest level must take responsibility. It is more important to protect innocent athletes from competing against dopers than to implement a flexible system to accommodate those lazy individuals who have failed to check the nutritional information on labels of food supplements correctly.

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