This month’s Olympics may be remembered more for the abuse of Viagra and other legal drugs among athletes, a leading Australian scientist said.
The latter is involved in the development of a test for the banned blood booster EPO (erythroipoietin) and other legal drugs including Viagra and psychological medicines that enhances athletic performance.
The World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA) is considering Viagra on its list of banned substances, but a decision will not be made until after this year’s Olympics.
According to the Australian scientist as told to ABC Radio, that there is a possibility that the Beijing games will be remembered for the abuse of legal drugs like Viagra. He added, that any physical activity that goes for longer than two minutes would be a beneficiary of something like Viagra. He further said that Viagra had the same benefits as blood doping because it opens up arteries and veins, not only in private parts.
The erectile dysfunction drug, was approved for use by the US Food Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 and since then it has been used by 35 million men around the globe and it is not the only legal medicine that can boost on athletes performance.
Drugs used for psychological purposes can help competitors gain a mental edge, the Australian sports scientist said.
With sport quite often comes down to a battle of wills and as you become fatigue, you become confused and your judgment is not so good, He added.
So taking drugs will keep your mind clear and focused, certainly doing so would be of benefit to athletes.