(Note: The authors are former olympic alpine and freestyle skiers. So, on
guard! pd)

ROSS HAS THE CHANCE TO BE A REAL WINNER

At a time when young people don't know right from wrong, Ross Rebagliati
has a golden "teachable moment" in which he could make it clear drug use is
not acceptable.

As former World Cup skiing athletes we fel compelled to voice our
perspective on Ross Rebagliati's drug test.

First, congratulations to Ross on his win. We understand that marihuana is
not a performance enhancing drug. However, as athletes, we were also
extremely disappointed at the presence of illegal drugs in Ross's system.

Although Ross's victory stands and he has his medal back, the situation
still leaves a number of "losers" in its wake.

Ross is actually the first one to lose since his reputation has been sullied.

Rather than basking in the glory of his Olympic moment, he will forever be
remembered by this incident rather than by his considerable devotion to
training, hard work and performance excellence.

The second "loser" is the sport of snowboarding. Parents everywhere are
left thinking they don't want their kids involved in the sport if marijuana
is part of the snowboarrding environment.

Next on the list is Whistler and Blackcomb, whose slogan for being the
"mile high" mountain has taken on a whole new meaning.

We found it interesting that the press which covered the reaction in
Whistler went first to the bars rather than to those who have worked so
hard to make that community what it is today or to those who have worked
with Ross to make him the athlete that he is.

Finally, and most importantly, those who will srffer the greatest loss
will be our young people who, in very simplistic terms, will see a
high-profile athlete who used illegal drugs and still has everyone's
support.

Commentators, leaders and athlletes have not given adequate consideration
to the message that our young peole and our society are getting from this
fiasco.

The tone of the coverage indicated a greater concern with keeping the
medal than pointing our that using illegal drugs at any time is
unacceptable.

We live in a time when many of our young (and not so young) people simply
don't know the difference between righ and wrong. What an opportunity this
would have been for a practical demonstration.

As parents of young children we are painfully aware of teachable moments.
Ross, you hold one of these golden opportunities in the palm of your hand.
Use it wisely.

Kathy Kreiner-Phillips 1976 Gold Medallist, Alpine Skiing; Dave Phillips
Former competitor and coach Canadian National Freestyle Ski Team