I always wondered when performance enhancing drugs actually became an issue.
The original Greek professional Olympians would have had no problem at all and indeed used narcotics widely to gain an advantage (Particularly pain killers)
Even in the 19th, early 20th century I done think it was considered an issue. Long distance runners were routinely topped up with Brandy during their races for instance (Though I cannot think that this would have helped much
). Since pretty much everybody was permanently stoned in the 19th century anyway I have no doubt that other narcotic use such as cocaine was pretty routine.
Then all of the sudden everything changed.
I can think of some reasons for doing so, but the level playing field thing doesn't really wash.
Why is it any more unfair to use steroids than it is to use a specially designed and built ultra-light graphine bicycle?
Or fancy trainers?
Or training at altitude?
Or whatever?
