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Doping in the sport’s world
Doping in sports is ever-present, which is a fact. I found myself reading several articles recently about doping in athletics and many of them were about Usain Bolt. Perhaps due to the fact he just finished doing something never done before. This article is not here to call Usain Bolt a cheater nor any other athletes who have not been judged as cheaters. I have no proof he or any athlete is taking PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) so don’t read this article thinking that. I’ve read convincing articles stating he is and convincing articles saying he isn’t…likewise with radio shows. The key word is convincing. This doesn’t mean fact. Until we have facts that’s all it will ever be. 
It is interesting because I don’t believe I ever felt about Bolt and cheating until I read these articles recently. Why can’t someone run that fast and have time to celebrate at the end? Bolt brought something new to the table which was never really seen before on that kind of level. In my generation at least – making real introductions is accredited to Bolt. I’ve heard the comments of both Bolt and Lewis, in their on-going spat of words and both say vital things. Someone who is a specialist in the world of athletics may look at some of the questions I made above and say I am foolish as Carl Lewis stated. I can accept his statements…why? He has lived it, he has been around it. I’ve heard people say you cannot cut so much time off your run in one year, others say you can in certain circumstances. The point is Usain Bolt has never tested positive for tests. I say this not ignorantly, knowing of others who never tested positive but were juicing. What I say is this, they had their day.
I watched Marion Jones speak in interviews months ago, before I even thought about this stuff and say she was clean. Later on to say she had let down so many people. God has his own way of showing the world things. Whether Bolt is clean or not, it will come out eventually.
Hearing all this stuff recently about how Blake (Usain’s partner) tested positive a few years back is also convincing but not concrete for Bolt. All that means is Blake tested positive nothing else. It did make me think however about sports as a whole. Basketball, the NFL, MLB, Football, Track and Field, the lot. Occasionally in some of these sports people are said to be doing something wrong, however not as much as athletics. What is it about athletics that makes it so dope crazy? Should the question be why are other sports not dope crazy? Is it neither, are other sports better at covering it up or are they more stringent? Whatever the answer be to these questions, we know it is there.
Bike riding has seen an influx in recent years but something like tennis rarely has these issues. Why is it like that?
I don’t claim to know much about these testing systems, I’m a man with a computer, a blog and an opinion.
What’s your opinion?
Egypt’s hangover
I was quite late to hear about this attack during a football match. I heard a few hours after, and like I do from time to time, I allow some time to pass. I like to do this to see what is being done in result, and the impact on society it has. One of the first things which I became aware of, was that football had effectively been cancelled in Egypt. I found out from reading an article, which I will post a link at the bottom for those of you who are interested in reading the story. 
One of the first things that came to mind when I was reading the article was, Egypt is still out of control. I don’t think I have ever heard of something like this in my life, where people were stabbing fans, footballers and security. It was said that the security guards also stood by and watched due to shock. This incident isn’t something which stemmed up overnight…This is an accumulation of stress, anger and hatred. Has it been a year since Mubarak? Maybe those now in Egypt believe if they want away with something or are not happy with something, then rioting is the answer. I must admit, I was quite shocked to hear football had been cancelled, perhaps that was my western upbringing.
I’m very sure that this incident was linked to the rioting and devastation a few months back.
This was a clear example of what happens to people when they get too much power. They begin to revolt and rebel against authority. Transition in my opinion should be done within reason, this is to ensure society is effected as least as possible. When there is much trouble with the society’s ruling body, it flows out to its citizens. I covered this when I spoke about our own government in the UK. The old saying of “Monkey see, Monkey do.” I don’t condone those who took it upon themselves to kill and attack people, I can understand somewhat however.
I gave the title Egypt’s hangover because I liken Egypt to a nation who has just awoke from an alcoholic night out. Not understanding that there are repercussions of the aforementioned actions. When we act, we must think about the bigger picture, as we know not at times what will become of it in the end.
Think.
The Franchise Model
I just want to take a short time to discuss a new proposition which may be implemented in the future. There has been a few weeks to let the dust clear now, in relation to the idea that is ever-present with many premier league owners. This idea is said to be one encouraged by owners who are overseas investors, and the idea is to eradicate the relegation and promotion model from the league. This kind of franchise model actually took me by storm, as I thought, even those owners from abroad still respect the game of football, and the Cinderella-like journey some teams make to England’s highest level. If teams were not allowed to earn promotion, we would not be seeing teams like Manchester City so successful. We only have to look back ten years or so, to when Manchester City regained premier league status.
You would think owners would remain faithful to the traditions, however, at the end of the day it is about money and a business investment for most. Realistically owners owe supporters small, if any obligation. We can see this in action currently with the name of Newcastle’s home ground “St James’ Park” has been changed to The Sport Direct Arena.
The franchise model is something common in America, and soon it may be on our doorsteps. When i think on this model, several questions arise in my thoughts…What teams deserve this privilege? Why should one business (team) be allowed this opportunity, due to the chance of being in the league now? Do we pick the best clubs or the best run financially?
I think vast thought should be taken before any such change is orchestrated. Are we really ready to let go of pictures like this?
As always let me know your thoughts.
