BAD ROLE MODEL

When Olympic equestrians mount their horses for competition on Sunday,
Canadian Eric Lamaze will not be among them.

The Canadian Olympic Association wisely ruled yesterday that it will not
allow the admitted drug user to compete.

It was the right decision for Canada but a devastating blow for this
Toronto area rider who accepted the ruling but stressed that he is not a
drug addict.

"Cocaine is not part of my life," he said.

Lamaze's rise from a troubled life to become a gifted rider is admirable.
And the facts surrounding his case are complicated. One can certainly
sympathize. But the fact remains that Lamaze used cocaine. While it's
doubtful that the drug enhanced his performance, it was in clear violation
of the athlete's agreement he had signed just weeks earlier. Tragically,
Lamaze appears to have missed the lesson of four years ago when he was
forced to miss the '96 Games for the very same reason cocaine use.

To have sent Lamaze to Sydney would have made a mockery of Canada's tough
stance against drugs in sport. It would have been a slap in the face to the
many other Canadian athletes who have played by the rules.

There's no doubt that Lamaze is a skilled horseman. It's a personal tragedy
for him that he won't be going to Sydney. It's a blow to Canada that this
medal contender won't be competing.

But this country isn't so desperate for medals that it should set aside
principles to win them.

Canada's Olympians are more than athletes. They're role models.

Lamaze seemed to forget that when he used cocaine. Now he's paying a proper
price.