Idea 2: Enough already with the second, third and fourth chances.
If all convictions are justified and the public has transparency into their legitimacy, penalties can be increased. 2 years for willful cheating is not enough. Sure, it’s more than the 4 weeks in football (see here and here), but 2 years fly by. Let’s make it 8 years (lifelong is probably too difficult legally) for any willful cheating, and only reduce it in case of accidental use (this DOES happen) or with serious cooperation with the authorities.

Also, none of that nonsense about doped riders returning as managers or in some other capacity. The argument can certainly made for some who have done so and really made a positive difference (no pun intended), but right now it’s just too much. But more on that some other time.

In the past few years I have given the anti-doping fight quite a bit of thought. Current events show that more than ever, we need new initiatives. Any successful approach will have to involve a carrot and a stick. I would argue that we need bigger carrots and bigger sticks. I have formulated five ideas, let me know your thoughts.

Idea 1: Better legal protection for athletes.
This may sound counter-intuitive, but here’s my reasoning. Right now the odds are really not in favor of the the athletes (Valverde notwithstanding). They don’t have access to a large group of experts (people working for anti-doping labs are not allowed to testify on behalf of an accused athlete), labs are rarely punished for irregularities, and this gives athletes the opportunity to create reasonable doubt in the minds of at least some fans (especially those in the athlete’s home country). These myths of wrongful convictions then undermine the doping fight in general.

In order to show fans that convictions are legitimate, they have to see that athletes were given a fair shake. But this fair shake is not just important for appearances, it is also crucial for point 2. Let me know what you think about the above suggestions in the comments section below.