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**Alexander's Horse** · February 13, 2003, 01:36

And if the diuretic reduced swelling or whatever on his bowling shoulder, wouldn't that make it performance enhancing?

**Frozzy** · February 13, 2003, 01:43

And taking paracetemol before a match to relieve a headache before a game is performance enhancing too

**Alexander's Horse** · February 13, 2003, 01:48

He didn't take paracetamol *shakes head*

Diuretics can be a masking agents - how did his shoulder heal so well and so fast? Why did he look in such good shape when he came back? Presumably he couldn't train much with a dislocated shoulder....

**ravagon** · February 13, 2003, 01:53

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
And if the diuretic reduced swelling or whatever on his bowling shoulder, wouldn't that make it performance enhancing?

No idea. I guess there's a line somewhere. Obviously it would help his performance but if we regard everything that assists in any way whatsoever then we might have to start by eliminating the drinks breaks too.

Imagine if lunch were removed. The commentators would stage an armed revolt.

[Edit: Actually, now that I think of it, there are varieties of aspirin or "aspirin-like" tablets that've been banned too. ]

**Alexander's Horse** · February 13, 2003, 02:05

It would be a tragedy if Warne was banned but I fear the "I was naive and stupid" line is starting to wear a little thin. They've trotted that one out every time an Australian player has been caught out.

Its not looking good in my opinion. The "mum" defence looks about as lame as the streaker defence.

**Datajack Franit** · February 13, 2003, 05:35

I know the rules seem to be tough, but otherwise we'll see hundreds of athletes claiming to be sick and taking any kind of drug, from aspirine to diazepam

**Alexander's Horse** · February 13, 2003, 06:41

Next thing he'll be caught with a bookmaker and claim he was putting something on for his mum..........

**Daz** · February 13, 2003, 06:43

They are taking it anyway. It's just a matter of timing. The only have to worry about how long it takes before they're clean. Sometimes a week sometimes 2 weeks. Those who get caught are either too stupid or too reckless.

I see it like this: Its like that guy on the motorbike that jumps over 30 or so cars. He is risking a lot and might get killed. But if he makes it we all cheer and he gets the money. The same should be with athletes. You want to take drugs to be No.1? Go ahead, but you have to know you might get a heart attack at the age of 29. It's not like we're opening pandoras box. It is already happening, they are only trying to keep it secret.

..then again I would also legalize heroin...

**TheStinger** · February 13, 2003, 06:45

Its laughable that Warne should be banned for taking drugs, when 90% of sprinters are taking drugs in a direct attempt to enhance their performance rather than lose a bit of weight following an injury.

How much can a spinner enhance his performance anyway?

**Alexander's Horse** · February 13, 2003, 06:50

He had injured shoulder and a weight problem. If the drug aided with either of those he could be in trouble.

**TheStinger** · February 13, 2003, 06:52

I understand that, but I just think there is performance enhancing and there is performance enhancing. It is not in the same league as people who take drugs to directly make them hit furtehr than normal, or run fater than normal.

**Alexander's Horse** · February 13, 2003, 06:58

Well if it helped his bowling action, and the injured arm was his bowling arm, then you could argue it was performance enhancing. That's where the legal argument will be.

**TheStinger** · February 13, 2003, 07:04

Surley though taking drugs prescribed by a doctor such as steroids following an injurt are therfore performance enhancing.

I am not condoning drug use in sport I just think the authorities are catching out stupid and naive people rather than the real cheats

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