Bush calls for anti-doping effort
WASHINGTON -- U.S. President George W. Bush used his annual State of the Union address to urge athletes and sports leagues to tackle the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
American athletics has been damaged by a rash of positive tests for THG, while four players with the Oakland Raiders NFL team have also tested for the banned steroid.
"To help children make right choices, they need good examples," President Bush told Congress.
"Athletics play such an important role in our society, but, unfortunately, some in professional sports are not setting much of an example," said President Bush, a former owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team.
"The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and other sports is dangerous, and it sends the wrong message -- that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than character.
"So tonight I call on team owners, union representatives, coaches and players to take the lead, to send the right signal, to get tough, and to get rid of steroids now."
President Bush's remarks were welcomed by Craig Masback, the chief executive of U.S. Track and Field.
"I think it's especially important he focused on young athletes and that cheating by star athletes sends the wrong message," said Masback.
"In order for America to confront this issue, it needs to be raised to a level of importance, and having the president of the United States talk about it can't help but do that. The battle can never be won unless it becomes an important American issue."
