On Cheating... Written 3/4/2001
I cried for a few minutes every morning this week, while I brewed my coffee and fed the cats. I have no more heroes: they're cheaters. Who wouldn't admire Mika Myllalla for his domination of the 1999 World Championships, and for his big wins in intimidating conditions? What south-of-40 skier would not be inspired by Harri Kirvesniemi?
Now you have to ask whether U.S. athletes are really that far behind in World Cup competition, or is it dope that's separating them from the top 10? Look at some of the athletes who have overtrained at one time or another. Marcus Nash (writing an essay for the Fischer "E-tales" mailing list), Nina Kemppel, John Bauer to name a few. Are they killing themselves trying to keep pace with athletes who are taking a convenient intravenous solution and getting a lot more rest?
Now it's all over, and when I look at another race result, I'll wonder whether the next winner is cheating too. I don't want my sport to be like that.
Below is the mailing address for the FIS. You can write to them if you want to let them know you're disgusted by what has happened. Perhaps if they hear from enough people, they'll clean up their act. (It's interesting to note that this information is nowhere on their website. The page where you can email comments to them was malfunctioning when I tried to write them. Don't they want to hear from their constituency?) When I find an address for the International Olympic Committe I will post that here also.
Gian Franco KasperPresident
FIS
CH-3653
Oberhofen/Thunersee
Switzerland
FIS email address: mail@fisski.ch, attention: Sarah Lewis
or: lewis@fisski.ch