I refuse to believe they are all on drugs.
When I picked up the mail today, I was a little dismayed to see the special report cover story in this week’s New Scientist, since right there on the front cover is the statement “what gives elite athletes the edge”. My mind has been inundated with doping news. I was relieved to find this cover story is not about scandal and banned performance enhancement techniques. Instead, it presents genetic and physiological factors that give athletes such as top cyclists, ultramarathoners and freedivers advantages to accomplish great feats.
In light of all the disappointing developments this week in the Tour de France, it is nice to read something that shows that it doesn’t have to be all about the drugs. That we can still believe that many of these guys are fit and amazing by virtue of honest endeavors, hard training and a bit of genetic luck. Let’s go team Discovery Channel! Don’t let me down.
Friday, 27th July 2007 at 13:23
Word!!!!
Allez Alberto, Allez Levi!!!!!!……and Allez David ‘Cleaned up’ Miller
Friday, 27th July 2007 at 16:23
I agree. I read Lance Armstrongs book and it was very illuminating. Not only from how hard it is to constantly live with these accusations, but how frustrating when you are out there busting your bum.
Saturday, 28th July 2007 at 17:35
Me too!
I love the tour and Lance’s book I find it inspirational. With everything that has happened this week, it does give doubt. Like when someone does something exceptional, I think wow … oh wait … are they? But I still believe that there are athletes out there that do it on hard training and a bit of genetic luck.
Monday, 30th July 2007 at 14:10
Nice post–it’s indeed encouraging to hear about superior athletic performance in some other context than doping!
Although personally: hard work, yuck.