This week it emerged that Albert Contador, a three time winner of the Tour De France, had tested positive for a banned substance. Not only that, three more Spanish cyclists have been banned this week: Ezequiel Mosquera, David Garcia Da Pena and Margarita Fullana. They join an ignominous list of cyclists, which includes Floyd Landis - winner of the 2006 Tour De France - who have been banned because of their substance taking. All prove their innocence but the likely signs are that they will all be banned, especially when the head of cycling's governing body - Pat Mc Quaid - remains silent on the issue.
After the 2007 Tour De France, which was surrounded in controversy because of doping, cycling's governers vowed they would toughen their stance on drugs, but not much has changed. In 2010 alone 18 cases of doping or drugtaking have already taken place in the sport and this lack of progress is concerning, espcially if cycling's riders and fans want their sport to be seen as genuine.
Other sports like athletics have changed their image in regards to drugs. Drug taking does still happen in athletics but their rules and regulations are much tougher than before. Marion Jones, Olympic Gold medal winner in Sydney, recieved a prison sentance for her drug taking and was derided in the media because of it. Contador will probably not recieve a prison term as the sport needs it big names in the sport as they are few and far between, but that does get away from the fact that he cheated.
Landis openly admitted he cheated, yet all he got was a fine and a two year suspension. This was the oppurtunity for cycling to crack down on cheats but they missed due fears of being 'too harsh.' The temptation to use performance enhancing drugs will always be there, especially in solo events like cycling, but unless the governing bodies get tough, we will hear more stories of champions being accused.
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West Brom are normally ridiculed and seen as a nice team but not good enough in the Premier League. Admittedly, I predicted they would go down with a shoddy defence and misfiring strikeforce. However, since their six - nil drubbing at Chelsea, they have improved significantly.
In their last three Premier League games they have beaten Arsenal, Birmingham and drew with Tottenham. Also, they knocked out Man City of the Carling cup which is no easy feat, considering the amount of talent the Arab - owned club have to dispense. Two of the reasons why West Brom have achieved this success is because of two reasons: Roberto Di Matteo and Peter Odemwingie.
Di Matteo has exuded calmness and coolness on the touchline, press interviews and this reflects on his team's performances on the pitch. When they went behind to Tottenham and Birmingham, panic did not set in. Instead, a quiet determination was found which led to them gaining points in a game, which in previous seasons they would of lost. Di Matteo has led his team brillantly and has also shown he can spot a bargin, with Peter Odemwingie being a perfect example.
Odemwingie signed from Lokomotoiv Moscow, where he was subject to torrid racial abuse, has been a revelation since he has come to the Premier League. Three goals in five appearances is a great start for the man from Nigeria, but time will tell if he is still good enough. Di Matteo and Odemwingie have both recieved the monthly league award for their efforts but the one reward they will want, come May, is survival.
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