Source: Expositor, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2000 The Brantford Expositor Contact: P.O. Box 965, Brantford, Ontario, N3T 5S8 Fax: (519)756-9470 Website: http://www.southam.com/brantfordexpositor/ Forum: http://www.southam.com/nmc/speakout/be_forums.html Pubdate: Thu, 21 Sep 2000 OPINION: MAKING OUR WAY THROUGH LAMAZE Canada may not be cleaning up in the medals, but it is reassuring to know that at least Canada's athletes are clean. The Canadian Olympic Association has done the right thing by banning equestrian rider Eric Lamaze from participating in the Sydney Olympics. The COA could have gone either way but, fortunately, made the wiser decision. Lamaze had a good story to tell. A drug test in August turned up evidence of two banned substances and an immediate and automatic ban was placed on him, which knocked him off the Sydney team. Lamaze argued that the two substances -- which don't do much for an equestrian -- were taken inadvertently. One was in a cold remedy, the other in a dietary supplement which didn't list the drug on the label. So he was quietly reinstated. However, another drug test a few days later showed evidence of cocaine. It was tougher for Lamaze to argue that the cocaine use was an accident. He said he was so devastated by the suspension that he went to a party and took some hits off a cocaine-laced cigarette. Lamaze and cocaine are old acquaintances. He was tossed off the 1996 Olympic team for cocaine use and has admitted being a drug user in his younger days. But, he appealed anyway and, surprisingly, an independent adjudicator ruled earlier this week that the whole chain of events, from the wrongful suspension to the cocaine use to the second suspension, was so unusual that Lamaze should be given another chance. But being reinstated by his own sport's federation isn't enough. He still needed the blessing of the Olympic Association. When they looked at the case and judged it against the many larger issues at play, they ignored the adjudicator and kicked Lamaze off the Olympic team, once and for all. That was really the only option available to them. Lamaze's excuse for his cocaine use is pathetic; sure he was disappointed, but since when is it acceptable to take refuge from your sorrow in an illegal drug? It says a lot about his lack of judgment, too, that even as he was in the midst of trying to win reinstatement he committed yet again the same offence which had him barred four years ago. As a fellow human, Lamaze deserves our sympathy, as does anyone who allows drug use to destroying a lifetime of accomplishment and end a career of great promise. But as an Olympic athlete -- Canada doesn't need Eric Lamaze or anyone else who tarnishes the reputation of our other athletes and our country. A cocaine user is not the sort of person we want to be sending to the world's biggest showcase as one of our national representatives. From Ben Johnson to Ross Rebagliati, we have been embarrassed enough. We don't need Lamaze adding to the pile. - --- MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst