Boonen and Blow

By Martin • May 14th, 2009

boonen We’ve all heard the news, and we’ve all slapped our foreheads and asked, “What, again?!?”

Yes, sprinter-extraordinaire Tom Boonen got busted for using cocaine for a second time, again threatening his chances to compete in the Tour de France and potentially putting his whole storied career at risk. The international cycling federation, UCI, is threatening him with a suspension, while he may face criminal charges in Belgium and possible sanctions from his team.

Of course, the Belgian Cycling Federation is crying foul, arguing that since cocaine isn’t a performance-enhancing drug, any suspension from competition would be bogus. The UCI has fired back, as quoted in a VeloNews article, by saying that Boonen’s second slip-up is “considered unacceptable (Art.1.2.079) and liable to harm the image, reputation or interests of cycling or the UCI.”

I can see this both ways. On the one hand, kids and families look up to Boonen, especially in Belgium. That the man is doing illegal drugs may well send the wrong message, especially for a sport that is always struggling with allegations of doping against top riders. On the other hand, Boonen hasn’t done anything that would improve his performance. Neither did Michael Phelps when he got caught smoking weed. Boonen is young and he’s still human — at some point, he’s bound to make a mistake. But unless that mistake would unfairly advantage him in competition, who is the UCI to sanction him?

The man will face the consequences of his actions, at least legally. The best the UCI could do at this point is make him publicly apologize, seek counseling and tape some anti-drug PSAs. (I can see it now. “Cavendish beats me all the time because I’m on drugs, and he’s not.”) I feel that it’s a good thing to see our athletic idols as mere mortals that make the same lugheaded mistakes that the rest of us do. For all the kids that see Boonen as their hero, now’s a good chance to explain to them that drugs and alcohol are struggles that plenty of people face, even those that are constantly under the intense spotlight of fame and fortune. (In fact, they probably face those struggles more than most of us.)

It’s also foolish that this is a big deal because it’s cocaine, an “illegal” drug. (And in Europe? C’mon. They’ve decriminalized or legalized plenty of hard drugs.) Had Boonen drank himself 48 Amstel Lights and been found passed out in a ditch, UCI probably wouldn’t have a thing to say about it. But at its core, doing cocaine and drinking a lot are roughly the same thing. The only difference is technical — one of the two depressants is legal, the other not. Boonen is getting punished because he chose the wrong one.

Of course, I might be missing something here. And this is just my opinion — I don’t expect that all of teammates or sponsors would agree with me. But that’s why moments like these are good for more than just cycling. They make us reflect on how we perceive professional athletes, the standards we hold them to, and how we react when they make mistakes. (OK, fine. Twice.) Boonen might be a moron, but his slip-up should be seen more as an opportunity than as a moment to make an example of him.

Update, 1:30 p.m.: Props to Bert for pointing out that cocaine is not a depressant, but in fact a stimulant and appetite supressant (thanks, Wikipedia!). My mistake. What with my extensive history of cocaine use you would think I would know this. I kid, I kid. Seriously, UCI and family and bosses, I’M JOKING.

Update, Part Deux, 5:00 p.m.: Maybe UCI should be checking in on Spanish riders, because there’s apparently cocaine in the air in Madrid and Barcelona. Hat tip to Grayson for finding this article.

Comments(2) Opinions

Comments

By Bert Garcia on May 14th, 2009 at 5:33 pm

I’m pretty sure cocaine is not a depressant…

By chris schmidt on May 15th, 2009 at 5:21 am

I disagree…I think all the greats in cycling should have to wear capes off the bike displaying their team logo and a chest emblem. Even into their senior days and if altzheimers strikes and they dont don their respective attires then heavy sanctions need be imposed !