Read a related editorial: Where do nutrititional supplements fit in sport?
WILL the Beijing Olympics, which begin on 8 August, repeat the sad experience of Athens 2004, when a record 24 athletes were expelled for doping? Chinese officials must be hoping not, but the latest evidence suggests they should not expect drug testing alone to discourage another catalogue of shame. Although the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is testing more samples from athletes than ever before, the proportion of positive results shows no sign of diminishing (see graph).
Given the limited deterrent effect that testing and sanctions seem to have…
