Originally Posted by Stallionforce
I think the idea of raising the average salary to professionalize the sport is a noble one -- and necessary. I am not certain, however, that this would ameliorate the current doping situation. In fact, I imagine it might even heighten competitiveness, which would, in turn, lead to more doping. Just look at professional football. This is probably America's most successful sports model (in terms of wealth) and it is undoubtedly riddled with dope of all kinds. I would suggest that European soccer is similarly 'corrupt' in terms of doping, despite its incredible popularity and material success.
Why noble to pay athletes more? Is this a useful task? Do they save lives or feed the hungry?
I agree that raising salaries will worsen the problem if anything. If the testers had much more money than those who were trying to cheat that might help. But that will never happen. And at this point even that might not be nearly enough. If there are too many drugs out there it becomes difficult to test for them all, even if you have tests for them all.
The solution? One that migth work is for the athletes to think that a win with drugs is a tainted win. Will that happen? Not easily. I've seen too many in too many sports at a lower level who tool the rules to get into a 'class' where they do not belong to improve chances of a (plastic) medal. There are just far too many out there who want an award at any cost.