Running sore

So UK Athletics have stripped Mark Lewis-Francis of his silver medal, after traces of cannabis were detected in a routine drugs test. Who the hell do they think they are? Is cannabis a performance enhancing drug? If you've ever taken it, did it make you feel like breaking a sprint record, or chilling on the sofa? This drugs war in sport has gone too far. There was an arguable case for regulating the use of performance enhancing drugs, but this does not extend to a right for UKA to control all aspects of an athlete's life.

Taking drugs is a personal decision and nobody (including the government) has any right to interfere with that decision. The same applies in any walk of life. For example, sacking, or in any other way disciplining, an employee for actions (even illegal ones) outside work is a cast iron unfair dismissal case. My actions outside work are no business at all of my employer, unless they interfere in any way with my ability to do my job properly.

Hopefully Lewis-Francis will appeal against this wholly unjustifiable action by UKA.