Wow I was off on vacation and come back to this big thread.
Let me start by saying that we have often referred to Gatlin as a drug cheat and talked extensively about his drug usage in the article in questio. We don't do refer to hims as "drug cheat" all the time as there is no need to.
The difference is everyone with a brain knows Justin Gatlin was banned for drugs. It's been in the news all summer.
Many younger fans, those under the age of 30, would have no idea that Mary Slaney was a drug cheat if we didn't mention it the few times she gets pub on the site each year. She's been inducted into all sorts of Hall of Fames, etc.
The double standard that 'ray' talks about bother me:
Doping is bad. It nearly killed the sport.
There is no reason to refer to Justin Gatlin as "drug cheat" Justin Gatlin 100% of the time as everyone knows about it. It would be redundant. It's brought up every time he races. He's vilified constantly. The guy served a 4 year ban and still can't even get into a meet.
We have received a number of emails saying we do it too much and it's depressing (and I sort of agree). With Slaney, a reminder every few months serves a good purpose.
The double standard really bothers me. Your reaction only confirms the double standard.
It amazes me that so many people think "Foreign drug cheats are bad, black US sprinting distance cheats are bad, white distance cheats aren't so bad."
-Rojo
PS. As for Gatlin, do I think he was clean with Trevor Graham? Of course not. Do I think he was clean at Tennessee? I'd say yes but honestly don't know enough about it. Why is that relevant? I don't really care.
Gatlin is forever being stained by his past drug usage, bordering on overkill. With Slaney, it's the opposite. Everyone acts like it didn't happen.