Dope redux

The other day in the press box we had a conversation where I boldly stated that every big newspaper's sports section should have someone covering the "Dope Beat." No one disagreed with me. In fact, the consensus was that every paper should have a drug beat and it should happen soon.

The reasons why papers don't have a drugs in sports guy is too myriad to get into now, though some of it has to do with sports editors, some writers and readers not truly understanding the issues... or the fact that the performance-enhancing drugs issue is the most important sports story happening now and for the extended future. Some day maybe the editors and the readers will catch up.

Why it's such a big issue is too involved, as well, but the very legitimacy of the sports are in danger. No one really know whether they are watching honest professional sports or pro wrestling any more -- then there is the whole issue of privacy, drug testing and the role of sports in society.

Actually, it's too big for even a really long book.

Anyway, another big star reportedly tested positive -- this time it is apparently EPO, an enhancer popular with endurance athletes. According to a story by Amy Shipley of The Washington Post, 2000 Olympic darling Marian Jones tested positive last June at the U.S. national championships in Indianapolis. That's apparently where 100-meter world-record holder Justin Gatlin failed his drug test, too.

Nonetheless, these stories are going to keep coming. Whether or not it will affect the numbers of people coming through the turnstiles remains to be seen.