Page 13 - Publishing Inspiration Christmas Card 2021
P. 13
All the wrestlers gathered around and sat
cross-legged on the mat, and I started to read.
The article was about athletes on a team that
had come under suspicion of drug use, causing the
entire team to face suspension. To avoid such a
severe penalty, the coach cut a deal allowing an
independent doctor to test the athletes for drugs.
Only the athletes who tested positive would be
suspended from the team, and the rest could finish
out the season. The coach agreed to live by
whatever decision the doctor made.
However, when the doctor's list was posted,
the star athlete's name was flagged for drug use.
The athlete was livid. He said he knew for sure that
there was no way his urine sample could have had
drugs in it. The coach, taking the side of the
athlete, insisted on a hearing, demanding the doctor
explain his reasoning on the matter.
The doctor agreed, and a formal hearing board
was convened to determine whether the doctor's
decision would be upheld. After the hearing
started, the athlete was given the floor. He insisted
he had the highest character and knew his urine
sample could not have had any drugs in it. He went
so far as to claim his suspension could be nothing
more than prejudice on the part of the doctor.
10