POSTED: February 9th 2009
NewsUpdate
Apologetic 'A-Rod' owns up
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT / Sports Features Communications
TAMPA/LONDON: A damage limitation exercise could mean that baseball's Olympic reintegration bid has not suffered significantly from the controversy over Alex Rodriguez having failed a secret dope test.
The doping issue which has hindered the sport’s Olympic profile erupted at the weekend when Sports Illustrated alleged that the New York Yankees’ star had tested positive for steroids in 2003 in a series of confidential checks.
However Rodriguez will have cut short lengthy speculation by owning up to ESPN’s Peter Gammons.
Rodriguez said: “When I arrived at the Texas Rangers in 2001 I felt an enormous amount of pressure to perform. Back then it was a different culture.
"I was young, stupid and naïve and I wanted to prove to everyone that I was worth being one of the greatest players of all time. I did take a banned substance, and for that I am very sorry and deeply regretful."
In 2004 ‘A-Rod’ joined the Yankees. He is now the highest paid player in baseball and considered by many as the most talented. Rodriguez said he had not taken substances since 2003.
Baseball is one of seven sports chasing probably two slots at the 2016 Games. The International Olympic Committee decides in Copenhagen in October between baseball, golf, karate, roller sports, rugby union, softball and squash.
Keywords · baseball · Rodriguez · New York Yankees · IBAF
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