Victor Conte of Balco Labs turning into a narc?

[Pete235]

I would never rat somebody else put to save my own hide....if I made the decision to get involved, then I would take the punishment for my decisions and actions.

That being said, this guy probably stands to lose everything he owns and spend time in a federal prison. The athletes who took the drugs (and lets be honest...all top level athletes use drugs) are making millions upon millions of dollars through winnings and endorsments. The worst that would happen to them is being stripped of records, results and credibility as well as a 2 year to life time ban. Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery, Christine Gaines will be stripped of their right to represent the US in track events, they will lose any and all credibilty....but they will not be hurting for money. Ben Johnson, who was crucified for doing what was neccesary to even the playing field (yes, the great Carl Lewis was juiced and anybody who thinks differently in naive), is still making more than $200,000 a year as a personal trainer. Charlie Francis (Bens coach) is still consulting even though he cannot legally coach in Canada....matter of fact he was coaching Marion Jones until the press found out and she had to dump him. Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi will still be allowed to play ball and will be allowed to keep the fortune they have made from playing ball. None of the aforementioned athletes will ever see the inside of a jail cell. Last but not least I want to say this, drugs did not make these athletes the best in the world....they simply even the playing field...in a perfect world of drug free sport Marion Jones would be the world champion...she wouldn't be running sub 10 second 100's but she would still be the fastest women in the world. Bonds, Sosa, Giambi, MacQuire, Canseco would still be hitting home runs...many home runs...but the 4 or 5 throughout the year that barely clear the wall may have fallen a little short giving them 44 homers instead of 50.

[wolfyEVH]

I would never rat somebody else put to save my own hide....if I made the decision to get involved, then I would take the punishment for my decisions and actions.

That being said, this guy probably stands to lose everything he owns and spend time in a federal prison. The athletes who took the drugs (and lets be honest...all top level athletes use drugs) are making millions upon millions of dollars through winnings and endorsments. The worst that would happen to them is being stripped of records, results and credibility as well as a 2 year to life time ban. Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery, Christine Gaines will be stripped of their right to represent the US in track events, they will lose any and all credibilty....but they will not be hurting for money. Ben Johnson, who was crucified for doing what was neccesary to even the playing field (yes, the great Carl Lewis was juiced and anybody who thinks differently in naive), is still making more than $200,000 a year as a personal trainer. Charlie Francis (Bens coach) is still consulting even though he cannot legally coach in Canada....matter of fact he was coaching Marion Jones until the press found out and she had to dump him. Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi will still be allowed to play ball and will be allowed to keep the fortune they have made from playing ball. None of the aforementioned athletes will ever see the inside of a jail cell. Last but not least I want to say this, drugs did not make these athletes the best in the world....they simply even the playing field...in a perfect world of drug free sport Marion Jones would be the world champion...she wouldn't be running sub 10 second 100's but she would still be the fastest women in the world. Bonds, Sosa, Giambi, MacQuire, Canseco would still be hitting home runs...many home runs...but the 4 or 5 throughout the year that barely clear the wall may have fallen a little short giving them 44 homers instead of 50.

Even if you were ratted out, you can't really blame the guy. For one, you knew there were consequences getting into steroids in the first place, so if you ever got busted, regardless how it happened, you should be able to face the music because you knew it was illegal all along.