Get set… to cheat

A recent “Any Questions” programme addressed the question of lifetime bans for athletes who cheat. Menzies Campbell, speaking from legal said the courts would not uphold lifetime bans because they would deny a professional person the right to earn their living. I found this curious, bearing in mind that fraudulent behaviour in other professions can result in being struck off, which means the end of what was expected to be a lifelong career. I’m not aware that courts have overturned such bans.

Athletes do not have a lifelong career, they have a temporary one. After five, ten, perhaps 15 years they have to face the reality of what to do next.

Their profession is to entertain by their athleticism. Cheating defrauds their global audience, who pay to watch, and the sponsors who use them for advertising opportunities.

A ten-year ban would be an effective deterrent and not unreasonable. It would simply bring forward their need to find another job.

Let’s hope the International Association of Athletics Federations come round soon to a more realistic attitude to disciplining the sport.

GEOFF MILLER Newtyle, Blairgowrie