WADA is rightt

How's this for irony, I am defending WADA. I would have never thunk it.

Now that other sports, tennis, soccer, cycling have signed the WADA code, they are required to provide their whereabouts as track athletes have had to for years. With their inclusion has come criticism of the new whereabouts code. Athletes have to designate one hour a day for random testing. This has prompted a lawsuit in Belgium, numerous complaints from tennis stars, and recently a rebuke from soccer authorities.

Listen folks, the problem is not in the whereabouts. It is a needed inconvenience and I for one am not sympathetic to the complaints of the whereabouts. It is a necessary step, and with all privilege comes responsibility. Drug testing is a must. Whereabouts is a must. So deal with it. I coach numerous athletes, and I live with one. Her testing time is 6am which means when she gets tested I am awaken also. Big deal. No one gets tested everyday, athletes are rarely tested more than once a quarter. We sleep well, and do more to ourselves than an rare visit from a drug tester.

The other argument presented is that the effort put into whereabouts should be directed towards better testing. This is not an either/or circumstance, it is an "and" situation. Better testing is does not mean we can ease up on whereabouts. We needed a better tracking system and we have it. Now we need to upgrade the testing system. They are not mutually exclusive but bedfellows in every sense. You cannot ave one without the other.

What has come to light is the astounding gap between cheats and testers. I have read almost every article out there, and I am looking forward to reading Dwain's book. These tell all's give great insight into what and how and when and where. Victor Conte's letter to Dwain detailing the protocol they had was eye popping. It makes it seem as though catching the cheats is an impossible task. Angel Heredia was interviewed and admitted he was still working with other athletes outside of the US because it was easier. So I am left asking what can the labs do? What can the testers do?
I know what I can do. Keep working hard and doing it the right way. I have a medal from 2008 and a young group that will generate more success. Even if doing it right means achieving personal best and being better athletes, that is what it will be. However, I know different. It takes a little longer and a lot of hard work. That's what I love about it all, the cheaters still lose, they get caught, and I will be here to see my people succeed.