Doping scandals abound as the Summer Olympics approach. Selfish athletes demean their sports and countries when they conceal their use of performance enhancers like testosterone injections.
Kevin Hall '92 does not have any qualms about using testosterone injections, and he has been consistently candid about it. Hall, a sailor who has survived testicular cancer, needs a weekly dose to maintain normal levels. Testosterone is essential to the body as it provides for healthy bones, ligaments, and joints. Because Hall's body no longer produces any, he must receive it in needle form.
Last Tuesday, an independent panel gave its approval allowing Hall to race in the Olympics. Hall, a three-time All-American while at Brown, will be the United States' sole representative in sailing's Finn class.
Although U.S. Sailing has done everything within its power to expedite Hall's clearance, the process seems more bureaucratic than putting in a bid to host the Olympics, and he has had to endure it all during his intense training period.
It should not be too much to ask that the International Olympic Committee, which regulates the testing of athletes, do all it can not to fetter honest athletes' training and subsequent performance. This was not the case in 1996, when Hall had to petition the committee to race in the Atlanta Olympics.
In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Hall was quoted as saying the process left him "drained, disillusioned, and anything but focused on sailboat racing." He failed to qualify that year after finally being cleared to race.
While it seems unfair that unpaid athletes must face such a high level of scrutiny, and even more unfair that someone who speaks with candor must deal with such a bureaucratic process, the Olympics have to maintain their standards.
Why do the Olympics have such a high standard for their athletes when the most lucrative professional sports often let questionable substances slip under the radar? Be it the fastest person in the world, who can run the 100 meters in 9.7 seconds, or the synchronized swimming team who wins the gold, I want to be sure that all competitors were able to perform on a level playing field. The IOC has to do all it can to assure a level playing field.
Pointing fingers never solves any problems and usually exacerbates the situation, so I'll try to stop pointing fingers, but not yet.
There will always be those who break the rules, which is why rules are necessary. Lifetime banning of athletes who use prohibited substances is the right decision.
Athletes who use banned substances not only disgrace themselves but deteriorate the integrity of their sport. Those using testosterone to enhance their performance are selfish. They may not realize there are those like Kevin Hall who need the substance to survive, but their actions lead to a laborious process for honest athletes like Hall.
It is deplorable that athletes use substances to enhance their performance, and the IOC is trying to do all it can to eliminate the problem. The IOC's testing is not broken, but it needs some fixing.
Kevin Hall deserves to be treated like a normal world-class athlete, but if he is not, I have faith in him. Anyone who has enough will to survive cancer surely has enough will to endure the IOC and compete in the Olympics.
Ian Cropp '05 is a political science concentrator.
