Saturday, February 11, 2006

A series of Lundfortunate events

Going bald must suck (I have a vague idea of what that is like). But being banned from the US Olympic Skeleton Team for using a hair-regrowth product? That just seems wrong.

The Seattle Times reports that Zach Lund had always disclosed his use of an anti-baldness pill that includes "finasteride", a compound that has the ability to mask steroid use in drug tests. But one year (2005), finasteride quietly was added to the "banned drug" list. Lund failed to take note, however, continuing to use his meds to attempt to reverse his male pattern baldness, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he was now in violation of applicable anti-doping laws.

Lund was judged "not a cheat" by the Court of Arbitration for Sport and given a warning. But this was not punishment enough for the The World Anti-Doping Agency, which appealed the decision, requesting a two-year ban, and ultimately settling for a one-year suspension.

I understand that rules are rules. Yes. However, since the relevant anti-doping agencies bothered to hold a hearing about this at all, as opposed to a "summary judgement, case closed" scenario (meaning, for all you non-legalites that given the facts, the law requires a stated result, and there is no need for a trial), I would have thought that the facts would have borne out a less disasterous result for what appears to be a case of a guy who simply wanted to enhance his appearance, not his performance.

YC

P.S. I have been trying to google-up a list of the members of the U.S. Olympic Skeleton team to see if somehow my arch nemesis, Skeletor, benefited from these Lundfortunate circumstances...because THAT would really raise my eyebrows. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find such a list. Any help out there?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

http://www.usolympicteam.com/11492_43164.htm

Yoga Chickie said...

hey, thanks!

Lauren

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About Me

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Northern Westchester, New York, United States
I live by a duck pond. I used to live by the East River. I don't work. I used to work a lot. Now, not so much. I used to teach a lot of yoga. Now not so much. I still practice a lot of yoga though. A LOT. I love my kids, being outdoors, taking photos, reading magazines, writing and stirring the pot. Enjoy responsibly.

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