Originally Posted by Devil
I'll concede that EPO has a lot more effect on cyclists than anabolics do for other athletes, so that's kind of a special case. I am definitely against a zero tolerance policy, however. Banning someone for life? Come on. I still say that most of you guys have no idea what it's like to be a pro, and the kinds of things that can influence a decision to use drugs.
For now, I'll agree to disagree.
If you represent the viewpoint of a "pro", then you are the poster child for why the problem exists.
Being a "pro" does not give one license to cheat, in fact it should have the opposite effect.
And let's speak to a more practical topic: money. When the sport implodes due to negative publicity from rampant doping and pressure on sponsors, who is going to pay the riders? Armstrong has probably single-handedly rescued the sport.....for now. And his image is tarnished by continued allegations, and whether true or not, they do damage. As long as doping is not treated much more harshly, nothing will change.
This is a public relations issue as much as anything.