EDITORIAL: DOPING OFFENDER HURTS NATION'S SPORTS VALUES

Canadians are a sports-loving nation.

We also care for fair play and a sense of what is right on the sports field.

That's why we applaud the Southern family of Alberta and others who took a
stand against the shocking reinstatement of disgraced Ontario equestrian
Eric Lamaze.

Show-jumper Lamaze competed for Canada yesterday despite being booted off
the last two Olympic teams and receiving a lifetime ban from his sport
after twice testing positive for cocaine.

No wonder some spectators jeered his appearance at the Spruce Meadows
Masters event in Calgary, which concludes on Sunday.

And no wonder Spruce Meadows owner Ron Southern has not made Lamaze welcome
at his world-class riding venue.

Southern says he doesn't wish Lamaze ill will, but questions the "flawed
adjudication process" which has allowed a two-time doping offender back
into the sport.

So do we.

The Canadian Federation said it has selected Lamaze to the Canadian team
because of his exemplary riding this year. And Lamaze claims that it has
been more than a year since he last took cocaine.

But, that is little assurance to those who believe that drug use and sport
don't mix and that there must be some honour on the field of play.

Some Canadians have chosen to forgive Lamaze. Fellow team member Ian Millar
says he was initially opposed to Lamaze competing at Spruce Meadows, but
had changed his mind. "Alcoholis just as bad, it kills people as much as
drugs," said Millar, conveniently ignoring the fact that alcohol is not an
illegal substance, nor one that affords a potential competitive advantage.

Others have excused Lamaze by pointing out that he was raised by an
alcoholic grandmother, while his mother was in prison for drug-trafficking.
But, many Canadians raised in troubling circumstances have managed to avoid
bringing disgrace upon their country.

Besides, Lamaze himself suggested publicly in 1997 that drug users who are
granted a second chance may not deserve a third.

What do you think? Should two-time doping offender Eric Lamaze be riding
for the Canadian equestrian team? Leave a brief comment, your full name and
home town at 604-605-2029, fax: 605-2099 or e-mail:
provletters@pacpress.southam.ca