August 3, 2006

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Will the latest drug scandal in the Tour de France bike race affect public interest in the event? What should happen to athletes who test positive for illegal drugs?
(Asked in front of Almaden Oaks Center)

“No, I don’t know if he [Floyd Landis] took the drugs or not. I hope not, I’d be totally disillusioned if he had. I think athletes should be suspended, but not indefinitely, just for a short period of time. ”

Maggie Escover
Almaden
Celtic Shop in Campbell


“No—each sport has its own ups and downs. If it’s true it’s sad, and if not it’s just rumors. Athletes who take drugs should be barred from playing.”

Liz Chapman, 23
Almaden
Sales


“No, but it is a big disappointment. I will always love sports, and there will always be people who do sports just for fun and for fair competition. I think athletes who do drugs should be banned from the sport after a thorough investigation.”

Karen Proud
Almaden
PE teacher at Guadalupe Elementary School


“No, I think they need to be suspended for one game. They should do a drug test and if positive the athlete should be suspended from the next game. Maybe the athletes will get a clue after that."

Chrystal Jayne, 38
Almaden
Veterinary assistant


"No, because I think there’s such a small amount being used in whatever sport, it shouldn’t taint a sport to that degree. Athletes [who take drugs] should be penalized. But in Barry Bonds case, the liberal press has already convicted him. We need to wait to make sure it’s the absolute truth before we keep him out of the Hall of Fame.”

Terry Bennett, 67
Almaden
Stockbroker


"No. I don’t even think about it. I don’t know if he’s guilty or not [and won’t until they release the results of the second test]. Athletes that take drugs should be given a second chance or be kicked out of the sport if it’s true."

Dave Wheeler, 48
Almaden
Sales


“No, it’s one of those things, and sometimes you have to go with what is going on. I don’t think it’s right, but I do understand the pressures. It goes with the territory. It’s a kind of reality that doesn’t turn off. It’s sad though, but in most cases they hide it so well there is not a lot you can do about it. I think that once an athlete is caught, they should do some public service work with kids. They need to tell them they [the athlete] made a mistake and will do better.”

Paul Casados, 41
Almaden
P.E. teacher at Challenger School


“I do consider it cheating. They should be penalized from playing the sport, just like you would penalize anyone else for any other form of cheating.”

Lilli Lindstrom, 34
Almaden
Homemaker