New evidence has been found which reveals the high level of cheating by athletes at the world’s biggest athletic events. This involves taking performance enhancing drugs.
The results of 12000 blood tests from 5000 athletes shows that:
- A third of medals, including 55 golds, won in endurance events at the Olympics and World Championships between 2001 and 2012 were won by athletes who have recorded suspicious tests.
- Ten medals at London 2012 were won by athletes who have unusual test results.
- In some finals, every athlete in the three medal positions had recorded a suspicious blood test.
- More than 80 percent of Russia’s medals were won by suspicious athletes, while Kenya had 18 medals won by suspicious athletes.
The evidence is not absolute proof of athletes taking performance enhancers. But the discoveries will raise more serious questions over whether the sport is doing enough to combat cheating ahead of future competitions.
There can be other reasons for suspicious blood samples other than performance enhancing drugs. This includes illness, altitude training and pregnancy.
The 2012 London Olympics reputation as the cleanest Games in 50 years will also be questioned, as the sport struggles to keep a high reputation.
