This article confirms that regulation of drug use in professional sports is approaching Sarbones-Oxley levels of absurdity:
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) – The World Anti-Doping Agency will consider restoring caffeine to its list of banned substances after Australian Rugby Union captain George Gregan said he used it to enhance performance.
WADA director general David Howman said Wednesday that reports of Gregan and other Australian athletes using caffeine to boost performance were disturbing.
Gregan said Tuesday that he’d been using caffeine tablets before matches – with the knowledge and approval of Australian sports authorities – since caffeine was removed from WADA’s list of banned substances in January 2004.
He claimed the caffeine could improve performance by up to seven percent, citing research at the Australian Institute of Sport. But AIS director Peter Fricker said Gregan’s figures on caffeine were inflated, saying any boost would be “in the region of three per cent.”
Thank goodness there is no such proposed ban in regard to federal criminal trials.
Hat tip to Off Wing Opinion for the link.
Are we fast approaching the day when vitamins may be banned substances? Or perhaps vegetables, or protein. I mean, after all, they can improve performance ñ or so Iíve heard. Donít get me wrong ñ I have serious doubts about whether someone like Barry Bonds should be allowed into the hall of fame or celebrated for breaking Hank Aaronís record (though that might have more to do with his personality generally than with his use of steroids). Even so, surely there should be some sort of sensible line between legal and illegal in terms of the effect on competition. And I donít think that the simple question of whether or not a substance improves performance should be the deciding factor. After all, exercise improves performance. The right equipment can improve performance. A higher IQ might improve performance. Has any read Kurt Vonnegutís ìHarrison Bergeronî? I recommend it for anyone worried over this story.
Yeah I ill agree with above post that Barry Bonds should be allowed into the hall of fame or celebrated for breaking Hank Aaronís record.