Pubdate: Mon, 24 Apr 2000
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2000 San Francisco Chronicle
Page: 3
Contact:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Forum: http://www.sfgate.com/conferences/
Author: L. Anne Newell, Associated Press

DRUG TESTING FOR PRO WRESTLERS PROPOSED

Lawmaker Says Action Needed To Protect Kids

ALBANY, N.Y. - A New York lawmaker is recommending mandatory drug
testing for professional wrestlers competing in his state, saying it's
not a jab at the simulated violence but a way to protect children
trying to emulate their heroes.

"Almost all other major professional sports have adopted similar
requirements for legal participation," said Republican Sen. Thomas
Libous.

Drug testing as part of the state's licensing requirements would show
fans that the wrestlers are drug-free and it would improve the level
of competition and protect the wrestlers' health, he said.

World Wrestling Federation officials say it's a plan that hits below
the belt.

"We are performers, we are showmen, he'd be drug testing everyone on
Broadway. He'd be drug testing the circus," said WWF Entertainment
chairman Vince McMahon.

"If in fact he's trying to single us out, that is unconstitutional,"
Me Mahon said.

Wrestlers seeking licenses to compete in New York already must give
references, divulge any criminal history and submit to a pre match
physical.

Libous' proposal would take that a step further by adding the drug
tests and punishment for wrestlers who fail them.

Wrestlers who tested positive for drugs one time would be prohibited
from wrestling in the state for 24 hours under the proposal. A second
positive test would strip them of their license for a year and fine
their sponsors $25,000. A third would me a fine of permanent ban from
New York competition and $100,000 fine the sponsors.

Alan Sharp, a spokesman for the Atlanta-based World Championship
Wrestling, said he could not comment on the proposal without having
seen it.

But Sharp and McMahon said WCW and WWF wrestlers undergo
pre-employment drug tests, and the WCW randomly tests its employees.
The WWF said it reserves the right to test anyone who exhibits signs
of drug use.
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