5 April 2008
An Open Letter to all members of the International Olympic Committee and all members of the World Anti-Doping Association:
I am greatly saddened by the recent news regarding the Greek weightlifting team and the positive drug tests from some of their number. This egregious violation is simply the latest in a long stream of constant dishonesty from the coaches and athletes of the world.
I want to commend the IOC and WADA for their efforts in screening out these unethical participants, those that choose to gain an unfair advantage over their competition.
However, I cannot help but feel that there is simply not enough being done to combat this problem. And make no mistake, this is a serious problem indeed!
I realize that there is no medical evidence linking the usage of anabolic steroids to health problems, but one can never be too sure. It's certainly better to err on the side of caution. The efforts of anti-doping are first and foremost to protect the health of our athletes.
Competition at the highest levels should be about pure human performance. Drugs simply aren't natural, and unfortunately they have been so prevalent in our sporting events that we no longer have an effective yardstick for what an unassisted human is capable of! Why, Olympic records have only improved marginally in the last three decades. A less enlightened man might ask why, when drugs are obviously slipping past drug screens on a regular basis, that these records aren't falling left and right, but I know the real truth.
The efforts of the WADA are simply proving too much for athletes that wish to cheat. Our athletes, our sporting competitions, and most importantly, our children that idolize our athletes are all being protected.
I understand that I'm preaching to the choir, to use the old colloquialism. But these facts simply drive home the point. As imperative as it is to get drug usage under control, I'm sure you will all agree with me that the conclusion is obvious.
Despite all of these Herculean labors to prevent cheating, some of our athletes nevertheless choose to abuse illicit anabolic substances. For the sake of our sports, and our children, we must be willing to take further steps.
Ladies and gentlemen of the IOC and WADA, I am calling for the suspension of the Olympic Games, in totality, until this problem can be resolved on a permanent basis.
There simply can be no alternative. The Games provide our athletes with the incentive and the opportunity to cheat. The temptation of the Olympic Gold is simply too much to bear, a burden that no man (or woman) should be asked to carry.
My solution is simple, elegant. You remove the source of the temptation at the same time you remove its need.
Certainly you cannot help but agree with this solution. It is the only way to assure the people of the world that our athletes are safe from temptation, that our children remain untainted.
Considering the truly epic danger that anabolic steroids pose to all the people of the Earth, a danger that I know you understand, you must find yourselves in 100% agreement.
I will be waiting for your announcement, and the joyous celebration that will certainly ensue.
Sincerely,
Matthew Perryman
United States of America
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