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Drugs in sport, no. Orwellian surveillance of top athletes already under great pressure, bigger no. Give the lads (and lasses) a break.

We need a drugs Olympics and a non-drugs Olympics.

I can't see it being that previlant in football as skill will always win out over athletism.

It seems you're laying all the blame at FIFA and football's door, Gordon, and none at WADA's. No mention, for example, of WADA's changing thing simply for the sake of changing things, as they have done by changing the starting hour of the window of testing from 0500 to 0600, which, though it seems small, is an important change to the athletes. I was already quite boned up on WADA, and it's code, but a good starting point for anyone who's not, and for a more balanced blog, I suggest reading Mr. Slater's;
/blogs/mattslater/2009/02/why_the_codes_not_it_for_wada.html

The point I'm trying to draw attention to is that FIFA always try and set themselves apart as different, or deserving of exemption: There was an 18 month consultation on this, FIFA had their say, but in the end, WADA had to compromise to create a one-size-fits-all policy. It's far from perfect, and they acknowledge this..but in the end, they've followed the mandate all the sports, FIFA included, gave them. What's surprising to me is that FIFA's heirachy seem to believe there's room for haggling on this point of principle about 365 days a year availability for testing. As far as WADA are concerned, that's non-negotiable. As for balance, come on, I've got a chip on each shoulder!

Ok this is an inconvenience for footballers and athletes, but if I was earning the sums of money that the top footballers are, I wouldn't mind giving a urine sample once a day never mind at random.

They have nothing to worry about if they are clean. The only reason FIFA and UEFA want concessions is because they might have something to hide. Perhaps Ronaldo's hair gel is laced with steroids.

WADA needs to be independent from any governing body and therefore must set its own rules. If FIFA want to operate to a different system then they can spend the millions of pounds to set up a drug testing facility and the millions needed each year to keep it going.

Gordon,
I do see your point, especially when it comes to FIFA (I'm far from their biggest fan), but I think it is worth pointing out that it's not just football being difficult over WADA's proposals, as the Tennis "Stars" have been major trouble makers, especially when it comes to whereabouts.
Also, I felt it worth pointing out to people who don't know that much about WADA, that they can be...stubbon, to say the least. I think it's fair to say a lot of this stems from Dick Pound's leadership. I got interested in WADA watching Ice Hockey, when, in November 2005, Pound said, “you wouldn’t be far wrong if you said a third of hockey players are gaining some pharmaceutical assistance." He later admited that he completely invented the figure, and that's part of my problem with WADA, the guilty till proven innocent culture. I'm sure that if I was an elite Athlete, it would infuriate me!
But I do understand your criticisms of FIFA, even if I do think it might have been slightly harsh not to mention some of the other trouble WADA are both facing and creating.
Cheers for the reply ;)

The amount of money these people earn, whilst obscene, has no bearing on the amount they are tested. The idea that these guys (and girls) should have to relay there location on a daily basis is a clear invasion of privacy in my opinion.

I'm surprised these rules do not come into conflict with EU regulations on Human Rights, but then again sport seems to be exempt from certain legislation. I fail to understand why sport seems to be given these exemptions. A better solution needs to be agreed for all concerned.

#7
FIFAPro is indeed planning to launch a legal campaign against the Whereabouts scheme on the grounds of data protection and employment law, and Sporta, the Belgian sports union, have argued that the system violates Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

When did Gordon Faqhuar arrive on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ scene, identify yourself kind sir

WADA seem to have assumed the mantle of defenders of morals in sport. Where money is concerned there are no morals.

How much money do WADA and accredited labs make in the schame?

All professional sportsmen and women must be tested regularly. If a man is paid £30000 a week he has to show that he is worth it . A small inconvenience of making himself available for testing should be written in his contract with his club , never mind FIFA.

An old debate, and I have sympathy with the footballers - yes they are paid mega bucks, but needing to tell WADA where they are 365 days a year is to me, too intrusive - and that applies in general for me

Obviously in some sports where abuse is more prevalent it needs a firmer hand, but football already has pretty strict regulation and has got a very low rate of PE-drug use - partly due to the fact that they only provide a limited amount of use to a footballer (as opposed to sports where muscle mass is so crucial, like weightlifting or field events) and usually the use has to be done across the team

Isn't there any other way they can monitor them without having the intrusive rules and harsh penalties? - the level of harm to gain seems too high to me

I wrote a comment at approx 2300 hours last night.
It was pertinent polite and not particularly controversial.
it has not yet appeared . Why Not?

Sorry i have found it>

#9

Hi Vanolisgod. I could say about 22 years ago, but that's not the whole story.... I've been a regular blogger on olympic matters for a couple of years...now they've seen fit to let me loose with an eponymous blog all of my own! For all you regulars, I'm not just an arriviste upstart...I did a diary with pictures for the web from the Football World Cup in 2002, before the word, 'blog,' hit the con-ox!
Radio 5 listeners have had the pleasure (?) of my company for more than 10 years now as their sports news and olympics correspondent. I'll try and give some insight with a personal spin over the coming months, so please keep reading!

22 years at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ?
I didn't realise you were that old.

What is wrong with sports persons taking supplements, drugs, eye-balling smack, ? Aren't these quangoes like WADA just a way to keep posh people busy and in gainful employment. I really, really, really don't give a flying f if the winner of the TDF is doped up to his eyeballs as long as it was entertaining. What spoils the enjoyment is nosey f'ers with nothing better to do poking their snouts into every aspect of a sportspersons life.