The Enhanced Games

[winjim]

I think it's sort of interesting to find out exactly what the human body is capable of doing if you push it in every conceivable way, but at the same time I don't think it should be encouraged.

I have been listening and reading a lot about Creatine recently and I did wonder why, if it works, is it allowed. (Btw. I am not going to try it)

It's more of a nutritional supplement than anything. I take it and don't consider it a drug. Dunno how much it helps me at my level but it's cheap and it's safe.

 

[fossyant]

My chance to win the track cycling has arrived.

No chance, even with a bucket load of gear as the rest of em are doing it

 

[Alex321]

I am intrigued as to what "performance enhancing drugs" are legal to buy/use as I was under the impression that they were, by and large, illegal.

If (big if) my impression is right, then isn't participation in the enhanced games tantamount to admission of criminal activity?

No, there are a lot of proscribed (in sport) drugs which are perfectly legal to take, and available over the counter.

This is why people fail tests because they didn't check properly what was in some over the counter tablets they have taken for some condition such as hayfever.

 

[BigSid]

I am intrigued as to what "performance enhancing drugs" are legal to buy/use as I was under the impression that they were, by and large, illegal.

If (big if) my impression is right, then isn't participation in the enhanced games tantamount to admission of criminal activity?

Some drugs are prohibited in particular sports to use in competition but not out of competition, e.g., beta blockers are prohibited in competition but OK out of competition for motor sports, snooker, darts, golf among others.
I shoot competitively and they're banned in and out of competition.
See latest WADA list here.
As a side note shouldn't ALL drugs be performance enhancing?

 

[Dogtrousers]

As a side note shouldn't ALL drugs be performance enhancing?

Someone will be able to remember the old joke better than me "I think what Lance Armstrong does is amazing. I tried riding my bike while on drugs and I couldn't even get onto it." (Something like that)

 

[Dogtrousers]

No, there are a lot of proscribed (in sport) drugs which are perfectly legal to take, and available over the counter.

This is why people fail tests because they didn't check properly what was in some over the counter tablets they have taken for some condition such as hayfever.

But it's also true that some countries at least have laws against the possession of (at least some) performance enhancing drugs. So while some are available over the counter there's going to be some overlap with criminality if you want to go the whole Armstrong. Quick google example: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/...10-month-suspended-prison-sentence-for-doping (sentenced in court for the import and possession of doping products) Or is the offence maybe "with the intent to cheat in sport". Honestly, I dunno.

Blood doping should be OK though.

 

[AndyRM]

A bit more from UKAD and the BOA here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cp3qn6xd91ro

 

[winjim]

A bit more from UKAD and the BOA here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cp3qn6xd91ro

Doing it for the money then.

 

[classic33]

This very question crossed my mind. Maybe you can get certain drugs legally under medical supervision?

Simple painkillers that raise your pain threshold.

 

[BigSid]

This very question crossed my mind. Maybe you can get certain drugs legally under medical supervision?

Under certain circumstances a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) can be obtained. e.g. salbutamol is allowed in specified quantities if an athlete suffers from asthma (as quite a few endurance event athletes seem to do).

 

[Dogtrousers]

Under certain circumstances a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) can be obtained. e.g. salbutamol is allowed in specified quantities if an athlete suffers from asthma (as quite a few endurance event athletes seem to do).

But TUEs are pretty much irrelevant to the "anything goes" games. Exempt from what?

TUEs are WADA thing and WADA are nowhere to be seen here.