Argentinean newpaper interview with Ross
Recent interview for an Argentinean newspaper (December 15, 2006):
Interviewer: How is your season going so far?
Ross: So far it has been a great season for snow here in Whistler, however not so good for racing. Too much snow! Still trying to find a major sponsor to help fund my quest for the 2010 games.
Interviewer: Are you already preparing for the next Olympic Games?
Ross: I have been preparing for the last two seasons and am looking forward to my first races in the new year. I must qualify for the Canadian Snowboard team by next season at the latest and sponsorship dollars will be the determining factor.
Interviewer: The punishment you received in Nagano 98, was it unfair?
Ross: Yes. The list of banned substances during the Nagano games did not include marijuana therefore the case against me was unmerited and all for nothing. I did not break any rules (nor have any other snowboarders in the history of the Olympics...every single one of us followed the rules given to us) and it is for that reason that I did not lose my medal in the end.
Interviewer: Do you think the “social drugs” like marijuana or cocaine should not be considered doping?
Ross: Marijuana and cocaine are very different things and should not be used in the same context. It is scientifically proven that cocaine is a stimulant and performance enhancing therefore it falls under what could be considered an unfair advantage and subsequently it would be doping. Marijuana on the other hand has never been known for its performance enhancing abilities nor has it ever been scientifically proven to do so. I am not condoning the use of marijuana in anyway, but in the context of what happened to me and the doping question I would have to say that if it is not a performance enhancement then it is not doping and should not be bothered with in anyway with regards to fair sporting competition.
Interviewer: Is there a solution to doping?
Ross: Doping is the act of taking a banned substance that will improve physical performance over that of the competition. If there were approved substances then everyone would take them and there would be no advantage to anyone therefore it would not be doping. The testing that is in place to catch doping is a double edged sword. Although it is necessary, it forces the scientists who design the doping drugs and their masking agents to constantly improve their products to beat the tests and the competition. More testing equals better drugs.
Interviewer: Did the doping affaire damage your public image?
Ross: Yes. Generally it hurt me with regards to corporate sponsorship endorsements. There is also a common stereotype that people have of me now with regards to marijuana. On the other hand I have become very popular and loved by a great segment of the population that supported my defense and denounced that the use of marijuana should be considered in anyway performance boosting. To this day my popularity in Canada rivals that of many celebrities. I do have problems traveling to the USA and for a time was banned altogether. I now have a special waiver and have been put on a lifetime parole by U.S. immigration with regards to my freedom to travel into the United States. For this alone I am very disappointed.
Interviewer: Is the doping affaire a problem you should carry on throughout your life?
Ross: I don't know if I should carry it on for the rest of my life but I don't know if I have a choice.