U2@NYC
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
First of all, I will clarify that I am from Argentina so my comments will not be completely objective. But, regardless, I need to vent off... 
I have to say that I am surprised by the latest doping cases in which Argentine tennis players have been involved (e.g., Guillermo Canas a couple of months ago, and the newly publicized doping case of Mariano Puerta at Roland Garros). I am not going to argue in favor or against these cases since I do not know the developments behind them, although I truly wish that they are finally dismissed as not valid and that both Canas and Puerta are allowed to continue to play tennis.
What really surprises me is the fact that Argentines, and only Argentines, are the ones being caught. It just sounds plain weird.
I mean, are just Argentines the only ones doping themselves? Unlikely.
Does the ATP prefer to identify only Argentines because they are an 'easier' target? More likely.
On that note, I would like to mention that Magnus Norman, a former Swedish tennis player, will shortly be publishing a book called "Tennis Off The Record" which states that Andre Agassi tested positive in a doping test in 2003, but that the ATP decided against making it public, given that Agassi is, supposedly, such an example and a popular figure. On the other hand, Guillermo Canas, who should have been given a small sanction, was banned for two years by the ATP, so as to set an "example".
Without, again, defending the Argentine players, I am starting to suspect that this has become a "prosecution" and that the ATP does not apply the same rules depending on the nationality of the players.
Finally, I would like to dedicate a paragraph to the French newspaper L'Equipe
, which, in my opinion, should not have made a rumor public without notifying the ATP (yesterday they announced that Mariano Puerta had violated the doping rules at Roland Garros). If this rumor ends up not being true, both the consequences to the player and the newspaper would be disastrous.
Thoughts?
I have to say that I am surprised by the latest doping cases in which Argentine tennis players have been involved (e.g., Guillermo Canas a couple of months ago, and the newly publicized doping case of Mariano Puerta at Roland Garros). I am not going to argue in favor or against these cases since I do not know the developments behind them, although I truly wish that they are finally dismissed as not valid and that both Canas and Puerta are allowed to continue to play tennis.
What really surprises me is the fact that Argentines, and only Argentines, are the ones being caught. It just sounds plain weird.
I mean, are just Argentines the only ones doping themselves? Unlikely.
Does the ATP prefer to identify only Argentines because they are an 'easier' target? More likely.
On that note, I would like to mention that Magnus Norman, a former Swedish tennis player, will shortly be publishing a book called "Tennis Off The Record" which states that Andre Agassi tested positive in a doping test in 2003, but that the ATP decided against making it public, given that Agassi is, supposedly, such an example and a popular figure. On the other hand, Guillermo Canas, who should have been given a small sanction, was banned for two years by the ATP, so as to set an "example".
Without, again, defending the Argentine players, I am starting to suspect that this has become a "prosecution" and that the ATP does not apply the same rules depending on the nationality of the players.
Finally, I would like to dedicate a paragraph to the French newspaper L'Equipe
, which, in my opinion, should not have made a rumor public without notifying the ATP (yesterday they announced that Mariano Puerta had violated the doping rules at Roland Garros). If this rumor ends up not being true, both the consequences to the player and the newspaper would be disastrous.Thoughts?
