A History of Drug Use in Sport: 1876 - 1976

Beyond Good and Evil

Nonfiction, Sports, History, Reference
Cover of the book A History of Drug Use in Sport: 1876 - 1976 by Paul Dimeo, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Paul Dimeo ISBN: 9781134246854
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: March 10, 2008
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Paul Dimeo
ISBN: 9781134246854
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: March 10, 2008
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This book offers a new history of drug use in sport. It argues that the idea of taking drugs to enhance performance has not always been the crisis or ‘evil’ we now think it is. Instead, the late nineteenth century was a time of some experimentation and innovation largely unhindered by talk of cheating or health risks. By the interwar period, experiments had been modernised in the new laboratories of exercise physiologists. Still there was very little sense that this was contrary to the ethics or spirit of sport. Sports, drugs and science were closely linked for over half a century.

The Second World War provided the impetus for both increased use of drugs and the emergence of an anti-doping response. By the end of the 1950s a new framework of ethics was being imposed on the drugs question that constructed doping in highly emotive terms as an ‘evil’. Alongside this emerged the science and procedural bureaucracy of testing. The years up to 1976 laid the foundations for four decades of anti-doping. This book offers a detailed and critical understanding of who was involved, what they were trying to achieve, why they set about this task and the context in which they worked. By doing so, it reconsiders the classic dichotomy of ‘good anti-doping’ up against ‘evil doping’.

Winner of the 2007 Lord Aberdare Literary Prize for the best book in British sports history.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book offers a new history of drug use in sport. It argues that the idea of taking drugs to enhance performance has not always been the crisis or ‘evil’ we now think it is. Instead, the late nineteenth century was a time of some experimentation and innovation largely unhindered by talk of cheating or health risks. By the interwar period, experiments had been modernised in the new laboratories of exercise physiologists. Still there was very little sense that this was contrary to the ethics or spirit of sport. Sports, drugs and science were closely linked for over half a century.

The Second World War provided the impetus for both increased use of drugs and the emergence of an anti-doping response. By the end of the 1950s a new framework of ethics was being imposed on the drugs question that constructed doping in highly emotive terms as an ‘evil’. Alongside this emerged the science and procedural bureaucracy of testing. The years up to 1976 laid the foundations for four decades of anti-doping. This book offers a detailed and critical understanding of who was involved, what they were trying to achieve, why they set about this task and the context in which they worked. By doing so, it reconsiders the classic dichotomy of ‘good anti-doping’ up against ‘evil doping’.

Winner of the 2007 Lord Aberdare Literary Prize for the best book in British sports history.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Kingship and Masculinity in Late Medieval England by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book GMDSS for Navigators by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book Imagination by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book Germany from Defeat to Partition, 1945-1963 by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book Agricultural Prices and Production in Post-reform India by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book Strategy and Supply (RLE The First World War) by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book The Unemployed by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book Digital Costume Design and Collaboration by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book Intellectual Disability and the Right to a Sexual Life by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book A European Geography by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book Developing Sport Expertise by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book Changing Government Relations in Europe by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book The Hungry Dragon by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book Postmodernism and Education by Paul Dimeo
Cover of the book Foreign Policies of EU Member States by Paul Dimeo
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy