In this summer of 2007, there are three major professional sports that have scandals developing while in the Tour de France, the leader was disqualified for lying and probable drug use. The nature of scandals in the sports of baseball and basketball threaten the integrity of each respective game. Let’s review the actions of the individuals who have created the problems this summer in sports. Let’s look at the four horses of a potential sports apocalypse.

In baseball, Barry Bonds has broken Henry Aaron’s home run record of 755. However, Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig will continue to keep his distance from Bonds despite this home run record because any day Bonds could be indicted in the BALCO case. . The sad fact is that Bonds has achieved the record under false pretenses, since he used steroids for at least five years to improve his strength to hit many of those home runs. (See article: Barry Bonds and Major League Baseball’s home run record also on EzineArticles) Baseball is about to get involved in a public relations disaster. Baseball has a record for home runs achieved through the use of steroids followed by a possible indictment of its cheating star slugger.

In football, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has been told to stay away from training camp until his matter is resolved. Vick is accused of violating federal laws against competitive dog fighting, acquiring and training pit bulls to fight, and conducting this enterprise across state lines. It appears that Vick operated the animal fighting business out of his home in Smithfield, Virginia, under the name “bad newz kennels.” The kennel’s name is certainly appropriate for the allegations of dog killing, testing, fighting, and torture.

(It doesn’t matter if you have a dog or not, the detailed description of the dog abuse allegations is really shocking and very disturbing.)

In professional basketball, referee Tim Donaghy was involved in a point-reducing scandal involving thousands of dollars won in games between 2005 and 2007. The FBI’s focus on Donaghy is to determine if the calls he made as a referee affected the point difference. points on the games you placed bets on. for “entities” organized in the last two seasons. Donaghy is apparently turning himself in within the next two weeks and has promised to name others in the scandal to protect himself. The “others” named by Donaghy may involve both NBA players and other league officials.

At the Tour de France, Dane Michael Rasmussen, who had led the tour for more than a week, was fired for lying about his training venue. Rasmussen had been under scrutiny since last week when it was revealed that he had been removed from the national team for various protocol violations related to drug control paperwork.

The dark cloud hanging over sports is the result of these unfolding scandals involving gambling, point shaving, performance-enhancing drugs, dog abuse, cheating, possible violations of federal law, and lying. The integrity of competitive professional sports is at risk in the coming months due to the actions of these four men. The four horses of a potential sports apocalypse.