I have to say that even though I am a huge Lance Armstrong fan, I also wouldn't be surprised if the allegations of performance enhancing product use were true. Cycling as a sport is so full of cheating and performance enhancing this and that, that it's hard to give anyone the benefit of the doubt. Just last year, Armstrong's formerly loyal lieutenant Tyler Hamilton was suspended for doping or steroid use. Of course, he denied it. Of course, nobody believed him, and why should we?

I suppose the issue we have to ask is, is this worth arguing over. The argument against steroid use in sports is that using chemicals is unnatural and that it therefore constitutes cheating - with the added effect of actually being bad for one's health.

However, athletes are always trying to get an edge over their opponent. Nobody accused American athletes of cheating when they showed up at track meets with fancy Nike spikes while some competitoirs from Africa ran barefoot. So I guess the level playing field really isn't an issue. I guess some people just abhor the idea that people would use chemical enhancers to increase their preformance. But then again, these people probably have no qualms about using Viagara if it came to it. Let's face it, we live in a chemically enhanced society. How many of us will not end up on a lengthy list of medications some day?

Having said all this, I think the real problem is that our society has made sport such a big deal that it's actually worth it for people to cheat and risk public humiliation in exchange for monetary success and fame. Sports is supposed to be about a bunch of buddies going out on a Saturday afternoon to throw the frisbee or hitting the local gym for pickup basketball or going for a jog on a windy day. Sports isn't about big, muscle bound, overpaid professionals whacking baseballs out of the ballpark while bitching the whole time that they are underappreciated. I think what we need ultimately, is a reality check. If Jason Giambi wants to stick himsefl with needles so he can hit a few more home runs, and if a nation of Yankee fans is willing to suspend their disbelief and cheer him on, then hey, do as you please. There are bigger fish to fry in the sea than this.