Get rid of all enhancements and make them all wear the same swimsuits.

The one thing about enhanced fabric compared to steroids, though, is that the latter is bad for your health. Theoretically, if everyone wore the same type of fabric, that would neutralize the advantages one swimmer might have over another. Whereas there is no way to heathily level the playing field with steroids. Having said that, I agree that no enhancements whatsoever would be the best way to go.

A timely discussion, as it was just reported Thursday that baseball sluggers David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PED’s) in 2003. Both starred on the Boston Red Sox’ 2004 & 2007 World Series championship teams (Ramirez is now with the L.A. Dodgers). They’re on a list of 100 baseball players who allegedly tested positive for the PED’s in ‘03. Their names were supposed to be sequestered, but they continually to gradually trickle out to the media.

Not to be flustered, Ortiz belted the game-winning homer last night in Boston’s 8-5 win over the Oakland A’s.

Hammerin’ Hank Aaron, whose all-time homerun mark was bested by alleged steroid-user Barry Bonds a few years ago, remarked recently that an asterisk should be placed next to the names of all of these tarnished athletes’ names in the baseball record books during the steroid era (circa 1994-2004). That’s when Roger Maris’s single-season home run record of 61 dingers in 1961 was shattered (for a 162-game season; Babe Ruth held the record of 60 HR’s in 1927 for a 154-game slate). It’s also when dozens of players were routinely walloping 50 or more homeruns a year, whereas it used to be an extremely difficult feat.

For example, when Cecil Fielder of the Tigers hit 51 in 1990, that was the first time in 13 years that anyone had hit as many as 50 in a single season (George Foster of the Reds hit 52 in 1977). Yet, more than a dozen did so in the steroid era (before random drug testing was implemented): http://www.baseball-almanac.com/hitting/hihr4.shtml

The integrity of the game was compromised, and the record book - a sacred thing in baseball - was shredded by inflated numbers produced by inflated athletes. My belief is that the powers-that-be in baseball deliberately ignored the obvious ‘roids rage, because the homerun-bashing was filling the seats and helping the TV ratings following the infamous baseball strike in 1994 that forced postponement of the World Series for the first time ever. Now, the chickens have come home to roost.

The swimming czars ought not to go down the same road.

Is WoW not up on the news that these suits are now banned for international competion? Take a look at recent rulings by FINA. This meet is the last that these will be seen and there is already talk of putting an asterisk next to every single one of these records.

Do you honestly think that runners wouldn’t want to run in the most technologically advanced running shoe they could get their hands on? Of course swimmers jumped at the chance to wear a new suit where a fraction of a second makes the difference between olympic gold and silver. 

What a great question WoW staffers.

I agree with others on this topic, it should be about physical endurance and expertise and nothing else. Athletes should not be allowed to get an upper hand whether it be drugs, clothing or sports equipment.  It’s unfair…period.

And P.S. Thanks for the hot picture to start my day….whoa baby!!!!!!!!!