The winter Olympics will be held in Sochi, Russia beginning in February 2014. At these events it is routine to test samples from athletes to assure that banned substances have not been used to enhance performance. We have seen such practices in the worlds of cycling and baseball where individuals seek an edge on competitors similar to what certain Wall Streeters do with inside trading. But with the big show only three months away we now hear that the laboratory setup at Sochi does not pass muster for quality to determine desired results. The same situation has arisen in Brasil where the World Cup is to be held in June 2014. In Brasil's case - with fewer athletes to check - they are planning to fly their "samples" to Switzerland for analysis. If Russia elects to go the Swiss route the labs there will be working overtime. And so it is as the chase for miscreants goes on. I am reminded of a certain late Sen. Charles W. Tobey of New Hampshire who served on the Kefauver Crime Committee in 1950 at a televised hearing where he was questioning an elusive member of an alleged "crime" family. Sen. Tobey, who was an ardent Baptist and down east Yankee, finally yelled at him "Be ye clean!" We could use that chant today.
tjs
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