Performance Enhancing Drugs in Cycling
Introduction
From the very beginning when humans have engaged in competitive sports, they have tried to gain every possible edge against their opponents. An advantage that can be achieved through honest means such as hard work, determination and perseverance towards the sport. Contrarily, it could also be achieved through dishonest means such as through the use of illegal chemical agents known as Performance Enhancing Drugs or PEDs. The use of Performance Enhancing Drugs is a serious issue in many sports, particularly cycling- a sport that requires a great deal of strength, endurance and persistence. This report will provide a thorough examination of the issues involved with Performance Enhancing Drugs in cycling and will also discuss the positive and negative aspects of the use of PEDs.
What are they? …show more content…
The military used drugs known as Amphetamines in order to help aircrews stay alert and combat fatigue. Amphetamines was used in abundance in professional cycling as the top cyclists soon found amphetamines necessary to remain competitive.
The use of performance-enhancing drugs was first made illegal on June 1, 1965 and shortly to follow were the dismissal of several riders from races that year.
Anabolic steroids were first used by the Soviet Union in the 1970s to encourage muscle growth in strength sports, but they had also found use among endurance athletes such as cyclists to accelerate recovery.
After these major turning points in the history of PED use in cycling, numerous deaths and positives tests would follow. This included the PED cases of Marco Pantani, Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador (Esteban, 2012).
The historical overview of cyclists’ use of PEDs clearly highlights the many flaws in the governing of the sport and suggests that major actions are needed to make cycling a more fair and safe sport.
Case
Introduction
From the very beginning when humans have engaged in competitive sports, they have tried to gain every possible edge against their opponents. An advantage that can be achieved through honest means such as hard work, determination and perseverance towards the sport. Contrarily, it could also be achieved through dishonest means such as through the use of illegal chemical agents known as Performance Enhancing Drugs or PEDs. The use of Performance Enhancing Drugs is a serious issue in many sports, particularly cycling- a sport that requires a great deal of strength, endurance and persistence. This report will provide a thorough examination of the issues involved with Performance Enhancing Drugs in cycling and will also discuss the positive and negative aspects of the use of PEDs.
What are they? …show more content…
The military used drugs known as Amphetamines in order to help aircrews stay alert and combat fatigue. Amphetamines was used in abundance in professional cycling as the top cyclists soon found amphetamines necessary to remain competitive.
The use of performance-enhancing drugs was first made illegal on June 1, 1965 and shortly to follow were the dismissal of several riders from races that year.
Anabolic steroids were first used by the Soviet Union in the 1970s to encourage muscle growth in strength sports, but they had also found use among endurance athletes such as cyclists to accelerate recovery.
After these major turning points in the history of PED use in cycling, numerous deaths and positives tests would follow. This included the PED cases of Marco Pantani, Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador (Esteban, 2012).
The historical overview of cyclists’ use of PEDs clearly highlights the many flaws in the governing of the sport and suggests that major actions are needed to make cycling a more fair and safe sport.
Case