After a tip off from Germany where doping of racing pigeons is allegedly rife the British Pigeon Racing Board have announced plans to dope test pigeons for steroids and stimulants !
The plan will involve each pigeon giving a sample of guano for testing. The authorities are even going to introduce 'random testing' by visiting pigeon lofts unannounced. I wonder if we will see the pigeon equivalents of Kenderis and Thanou ?
If all this seems a bit drastic its because there is so much money involved. A friend of mine gave up his job as an IT consultant to race pigeons full time. I laughed when he told me this. Apparently winning pigeons can scoop thousands of dollars per race and with a racing life of a couple of years a top pigeon can sell for 10 thousand dollars ! A bit of a bugger if the local falcon is feeling hungry when it flies by.
If only road racing in the UK was as lucrative. At least we dont have to dodge hungry birds of prey though and I think i would rather pee for the testers than shit in a bucket.