OUR OPINION
Let’s rid all sports of doping problems
THE ISSUE
Barry Bonds set the all-time record for home runs amid suspicions that he other others have taken performance-enhancing drugs.
|
GOV. Linda Lingle expressed widely held concern about the cloud of performance-enhancing drugs that hangs over Barry Bonds, the new career home run record-holder. That concern should prompt increased drug-testing throughout the sports world and refusal of sponsors to fuel the use of steroids.
"I don't have any knowledge of what Barry Bonds may or may not have taken," said Lingle, a fan of displaced home run record-holder Hank Aaron from her days of collecting baseball cards. "I just hope that sports overall gets its act together as it relates to drugs and artificial enhancement."
Four of the 10 all-time home run hitters are identified with what is being called baseball's "steroid period," although none of them, including Bonds, has admitted "intentionally" taking banned drugs.
Evidence that sports is finally doing so is beginning to surface. Last month, Detroit Tigers infielder Neifi Perez was suspended for 80 days by Major League Baseball after testing positive for amphetamines for a third time. The cycling team of Lance Armstrong disbanded last Friday after being unable to find a sponsor to replace the Discovery Channel in a sport plagued by doping suspicion. Three riders in this year's Tour de France, not Discovery Team members, tested positive during the race.
PGA legend Gary Player created a stir at last month's British Open when he said one golfer admitted to drug use to him and said another told him he knew of a pro who took strength-enhancing substances banned in other sports. Golf does not ban drug use.
Track competitors risk two-year suspensions if caught taking banned drugs. Career-damaging suspensions of that nature and refusal by companies to sponsor dope-enhanced athletes are needed to make the steroid period an era of the past.
Oahu Publications, Inc. publishes
the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, MidWeek
and military newspapers
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Black, Dan Case, Dennis Francis,
Larry Johnson, Duane Kurisu, Warren Luke,
Colbert Matsumoto, Jeffrey Watanabe, Michael Wo
HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN
Mary Poole, Editorial Page Editor
(808) 529-4748;
mpoole@starbulletin.com
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin (USPS 249460) is published daily by Oahu Publications at 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-500, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Periodicals postage paid at Honolulu, Hawaii. Postmaster: Send address changes to Star-Bulletin, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802.