It seems that most of the top guys have used, admitted to using or are under the suspicion of using PEDS in the TdF. Why not legalize them. It would really make the sport more enjoyable to watch in my opinion.
This comes up every time doping does and it’s the single stupidest idea on the subject.
PEDs are banned, in part, because use of them, even in controlled conditions, is dangerous to the athletes. Legalizing them forces everyone to use them to keep up with those who start. So you’ve effectively said, “Use harmful drugs or get a new job.” That’s a shit response to the problem.
That makes no sense at all. Just because people keep doing something that is wrong does not mean that it should be legalized. People keep killing others, are bugger it that’s no crime. People steal money from a company, it’s too hard to police so lets legalize it. It’s the same deal, these cyclists are cheating, plain and simple - they break the law so they should face the consequences.
Not only that but what do we do with the cyclists dropping dead five years after they start their careers…
Your analogies are straw men arguments. Banning substances is an arbitrary process. Moreover, there is no direct harm to anyone other than the person who uses the PED. Even then it is debatable about the long term health affects of many of the PEDS that are taken. Even if there is negative direct effect on the long term health of the athlete it should be there choice whether to use it or not, just as it other people’s choice to use alcohol, smoke cigarettes, drive too fast, eat a lot of cholesterol laden foods, not exercise etc.
The problem with you argument and analogies is that you assume that performance enhancing doping is morally wrong or socially unacceptable. However, that is not necessarily the case. You need to look no further than Operation Puerto itself, where the case was tossed out because doping was not considered illegal, socially unacceptable or morally wrong. So the question I think the OP is asking is whether that assumption is true. And to the extent that it is not, why should the Tour not consider allowing doping under its rules.