The use of drugs in most physical sports seems to be rampant. There are those that go out to cheat and take the known substances that are deemed to have a performance value and this goes from EPO to minor cold cures that aid breathing. Then there are the additives to training formulas that somehow seem to transform into a banned substance.

When I was running seriously- the only aids that were known were salt and sugar. Cold cures were an aspirin and if you were on some medication for an illness then you did not perform too well because of the illness. Actual drugs to aid your performance did not exist, or were not known off.

Even the training has changed and there are all the additives to enable you to train harder. In my day- if you trained harder- you either got better at your sport- or you overtrained and went downhill. Now- if you want to build up your muscles you take this additive- or if you want to improve your stamina you take that one. I can remember at one of the American Olympics (1980?) when Coe and Ovett were in the 800 and 1500metres- A mention was made of runners having a blood transfusion. What happened was that a few days before the event- a pint of your blood was taken and before the event- it was put back. An extra pint of blood to carry oxygen around the body in one of the hardest cardio vascular events. This practice was frowned upon but no-one was deemed to be taking drugs. There weren't any. Now the blood is taken out of the body and an additive put into the blood.

I am sorry but I look at all these top athletes and all I can think of is "What new undetectable drug have they found". I no longer think how good they are, or how fit they are. In some cases The protestations of innocence are believable and the actual athlete may be- but there are too many others behind him that could be trying to give him,or her, the edge by administering something to the athlete without their knowledge.

There is no good side to drugs in sport. Unfortunately, this has marred my enjoyment of most sports and I now prefer to watch the amateur events that are still relatively Performance enhancing free- It just relies on the skill of the participant.