Introduction.
Doping is defined by the IOC as the use of any method or substance that might harm the athlete, in a quest to gain an unfair advantage, over his or her fellow competitors.
Hence, training at altitude to increase the bloods ability to carry oxygen is allowed, but the use of drugs such as EPO, to achieve the same result isn’t.
Recent controversy in Le Tour de France, and the Atlanta games of 1996, have shown the use of doping to be wide spread. However, doping isn’t a new trend bought on by the advent of modern pharmaceutical agents. History shows that athletes in the ancient Olympic games, were willing to take plant extracts in a bid to better their competitors.
Rigorous testing procedures have shown many notable athletes to be trying to “beat the system” by taking such drugs, most notably, Ben Johnson, in 1988 who won the 100m sprint in a new world record time of 9.79s, only to test positive for steroids, and lose his gold medal and world record.
Types of Doping.
Doping can be split up into physical methods, such as blood doping and the use of performance enhancing drugs.
Performance enhancing drugs can be catorized into the following types;
1. Stimulants, such as amphetamines,