"Calls for Testing of Pro Athletes Jump Dramatically"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"Calls for Testing of Pro Athletes Jump Dramatically"

Advocate (12/17/91) No. 592, P. 18
Bull, Chris

Abstract: The country's largest boxing promoter announced Nov. 14 that it will institute mandatory HIV testing for boxers who fight on its cards, a response to Magic Johnson's announcement that he tested postive for HIV. Bob Arum, owner of Las Vegas-based Top Rank Inc., said that he decided to exclude HIV-positive boxers from fight cards because "my main obligation is to protect the uninfected boxer." The World Boxing Association and the World Boxing Organization said they would probably begin requiring all pro boxers to get tested for HIV. The National Basketball Association says it has no plans to implement testing, while the National Football League says many players support testing but that the organization does not want to overreact. Civil libertarians contend that there is no reason for required testing of athletes or abandonment of those who are HIV positive. Elizabeth Cooper, staff counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union's AIDS project, notes that exclusion of HIV-positive athletes could violate laws against AIDS-based discrimination.

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