Well, a couple of hours from now 2006 will be history. And given the kind of year it’s been, I’d have to say, “good riddance.” Looking ahead to 2007, here’s what I wish for the coming year:
- Better/more accurate doping tests
- Fewer — far fewer — doping scandals
- A recognition of the things that need to be changed in the anti-doping system
- The will to make those changes
- A speedy — and fair — conclusion to the Landis case and to the Operation Puerto cases
- Fewer wars and fewer victims of war
- Peace, even in places where it seems impossible to achieve
- And when it comes time to wrap up 2007, the world will be a better place than when the year started
Here are my resolutions, next New Year’s Eve we’ll come back to these and see how well I’ve done:
- Ride my bike more
- Race more
- Keep pushing for positive change in the anti-doping system
- Keep ranting
Why so few? Well, I’d hate to make a resolution and not be able to follow through. Better to make a few I can live up to rather than a bunch that I can’t. For example, I was going to resolve not to slam a certain Mr. Pound unless he says things that are completely outrageous, but then I realized that given the chance, he’ll let some zingers slip. So this would be impossible to achieve, unless Dick Pound suddenly decides to be more balanced and circumspect in his opining. And what’s the likelihood of that?
May the coming year be filled with happiness, health and good cheer for everyone.
