- May 27, 2010
- 6,333
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Re: Re:
Not advocating anything like that.*
However, if cyclists continue to dope extensively, and if anyone even cares anymore about fair competition, then ultimately there is little choice left but to up the requirements and inconveniences in exchange for the privilege of participation.
When discussing human rights in the context of sport competition, it is important to keep in mind that:
1. To participate you have to accept the rules and their enforcement
2. Refusing a test (ok, missing three tests) has the same consequences as failing a test. I am sure that cyclists can put "do not disturb" signs on their doors. And, if they don't answer after 11 pm we can simply record that as a missed test.
3. Banning someone from participation does not violate their human rights
Human rights is one of those big, catch-all, emotion-attached arguments that is frequently used to hammer away at logic. It should not enter this discussion, because it doesn't belong here.
*Of course, most of us do have on-line camera surveillance on multiple electronic devices, some of which are even active 24-hours a day and are externally monitored or recorded. Those living in Britain are very familiar with their high level of 24-hour surveillance coverage.
Chips in the blood?
Don't take this the wrong way, but I had to think twice before discounting that entirely.
There could be a sound argument about why that would be less invasive, and less restrictive than many other measures. It might actually even have health benefits for the cyclist.
In fact, if someone were to offer it to me and could explain how I would get a better understanding of specific blood parameters, during a race for example, I might pay for it ahead of a power meter or a set of aero wheels. An educated guess would be that I might even find myself in good company.
Just saying.
Dave.
Edit to add that:
If anyone were to put chips in the bloodstream to monitor doing, then we should probably expect that someone like Arnie Baker will hire some ex-special forces guys to hack the system and falsify the data.
LaFlorecita said:
Not advocating anything like that.*
However, if cyclists continue to dope extensively, and if anyone even cares anymore about fair competition, then ultimately there is little choice left but to up the requirements and inconveniences in exchange for the privilege of participation.
When discussing human rights in the context of sport competition, it is important to keep in mind that:
1. To participate you have to accept the rules and their enforcement
2. Refusing a test (ok, missing three tests) has the same consequences as failing a test. I am sure that cyclists can put "do not disturb" signs on their doors. And, if they don't answer after 11 pm we can simply record that as a missed test.
3. Banning someone from participation does not violate their human rights
Human rights is one of those big, catch-all, emotion-attached arguments that is frequently used to hammer away at logic. It should not enter this discussion, because it doesn't belong here.
*Of course, most of us do have on-line camera surveillance on multiple electronic devices, some of which are even active 24-hours a day and are externally monitored or recorded. Those living in Britain are very familiar with their high level of 24-hour surveillance coverage.
Chips in the blood?
Don't take this the wrong way, but I had to think twice before discounting that entirely.
There could be a sound argument about why that would be less invasive, and less restrictive than many other measures. It might actually even have health benefits for the cyclist.
In fact, if someone were to offer it to me and could explain how I would get a better understanding of specific blood parameters, during a race for example, I might pay for it ahead of a power meter or a set of aero wheels. An educated guess would be that I might even find myself in good company.
Just saying.
Dave.
Edit to add that:
If anyone were to put chips in the bloodstream to monitor doing, then we should probably expect that someone like Arnie Baker will hire some ex-special forces guys to hack the system and falsify the data.
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