Dogsledder Lance Mackey is something of an exceptional participant of his sport.  The veteran musher (the guy who drives the sled) has achieved at the highest levels of his sport, with three straight Iditarod wins and four Yukon Quest win is a well-known figure, which he believes is why the Iditarod has announced mandatory drug testing for the 2010 race.  After all, Mackey, a throat cancer survivor, also has a medical marijuana card and smokes during the race.

Is marijuana use a competitive advantage?  Apparently, he’s not the only musher on the trail who indulges in a little hippie smoke break, but I’d think he’s the only one who can do it legally thanks to his prescription.   However, just like Lance Armstrong, success breeds envy.  Just like Lance Armstrong, this cancer survivor is about to undergo increased scrutiny of his habits.  Mackey says he’ll be drug free during the Iditarod this year, and here’s hoping he keeps his word and keeps up his winning streak.

Image: Deadspin

Tags: athletics, drug testing, Iditarod, dog sled race, Iditarod to drug-test mushers, drug testing dogsled drivers, Lance Mackey

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