Blood Doping Research Paper

Dope or Quit "Doping means to make use of physiological substances in immoderate quantity or abnormal method from healthy people whose only aim is to obtain an artificial increase of the performance during the competition" (Vittozzi). Doping has been around for more than 100 years now, and has had many different forms such as using caffeine for a simple boost, to more serious things like anabolic steroids or blood doping. Blood doping is one of the many different ways athletes will increase their performance and ability in a sport, but it is more known to be used in cycling. As a sport progresses over the years, so do the athletes. They train and work harder in order to beat out competition and win. However there is only so far someone
It almost seems as if everyone is doing drugs, which just might be the case. How are we to control this epidemic of dopers and cheaters when it is the majority? Simply we either suspend an athlete for a season, a few games, or in worst case scenario, ban them from the sport entirely. One of the more recent and widely known scandals is Lance Armstrong who was stripped of his medals from various races such as the Tour De France and other competitions due to allegations of him and his team of doping before races. There is no clear evidence that Armstrong did in fact use steroids, but some teammates have confessed to doping along with Armstrong. Yet after fighting this argument and allegations for so many years Armstrong gave in and pleaded guilty. An article released from CNN talked about the continuous “witch hunt” to find evidence of Lance Armstrong of using drugs. “For years, Lance Armstrong carried a growing burden of doping accusations up increasingly steep hills, accumulating fans, wealth and respect along the way. On Wednesday, he crashed” (Pearson). The damage done to his career was losing his endorsement deal from Nike, which was worth millions, but even worse he lost his position as chairman for the Livestrong foundation which he started. According to a statement posted to the Livestrong group 's website, Armstrong stated that he left in order to, “spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career,” (Pearson). Although there are many other cyclists and athletes who have doped in sports, Armstrong got the brunt of it because of his higher standing in the sport. No one should be above the law, but no one should be more prone to the