Agassi admits to drug use
TJ Fisher
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: Sports
Andre Agassi, renowned tennis player, has an autobiography coming out Nov. 9. Seems tame, right? Wrong. On Oct. 27, a Sports Illustrated employee posted on Twitter information regarding Agassi's use of crystal meth, though the post has since been deleted. In Agassi's autobiography, he admits to having used crystal meth in 1997 during his career as a professional tennis player. Additionally, he acknowledges that he lied about his drug use to avoid a ban on his career.
Following this information leak, Agassi has since admitted that his father used to give him drugs to take before tennis matches. These drugs included caffeine pills and possibly amphetamine speed, which is illegal. His image is further tarnished by the fact he kept quiet for so long.
Although Agassi is a retired tennis player, some hope that the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the International Tennis Federation will act responsibly and deal with this admission as a live case.
Agassi claims that he thought the pills his father gave him before matches were Excedrin. Regardless, pills high in caffeine, including Excedrin, were on the banned list of substances until 2004.
Officials believe that the tennis authorities should investigate every aspect and possible breach of the law by Agassi and his lawyers. These possible charges include taking illegal pills and lying under oath about his use of crystal meth.
When Agassi failed his drug tests years ago, the ATP let the case slide and did not prosecute him, a decision that is now getting a lot of attention from critics. Additionally, many of Agassi's contemporaries, such as U.S. Fed Cup captain Mary Joe Fernandez, are shocked by the confession, as are many professional sports announcers and commentators. However also mixed in are feelings of admiration. It takes a lot of courage to admit such a dark secret.
Following this information leak, Agassi has since admitted that his father used to give him drugs to take before tennis matches. These drugs included caffeine pills and possibly amphetamine speed, which is illegal. His image is further tarnished by the fact he kept quiet for so long.
Although Agassi is a retired tennis player, some hope that the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the International Tennis Federation will act responsibly and deal with this admission as a live case.
Agassi claims that he thought the pills his father gave him before matches were Excedrin. Regardless, pills high in caffeine, including Excedrin, were on the banned list of substances until 2004.
Officials believe that the tennis authorities should investigate every aspect and possible breach of the law by Agassi and his lawyers. These possible charges include taking illegal pills and lying under oath about his use of crystal meth.
When Agassi failed his drug tests years ago, the ATP let the case slide and did not prosecute him, a decision that is now getting a lot of attention from critics. Additionally, many of Agassi's contemporaries, such as U.S. Fed Cup captain Mary Joe Fernandez, are shocked by the confession, as are many professional sports announcers and commentators. However also mixed in are feelings of admiration. It takes a lot of courage to admit such a dark secret.
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belly fuzz
posted 11/06/09 @ 11:03 PM EST
He's human, He did drugs, and he played out a fulfilling career. He didn't turn into the monster that people who do drugs are portrayed as by the media and law enforcement. (Continued…)
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