The use of drugs to assist sporting performance has a long history. From 400BC, the role of sport in Greek society was as prominent as today. Mass spectator sport was the order of the day and rich prizes for winners led to the demise of amateurism and the emergence of professional athletes. Victory in the ancient Olympics ensured rich rewards in the form of money, food, housing, tax exemptions and release from army service.

Not surprisingly, bribing and cheating became commonplace and there is evidence than competitors were willing to take performance-enhancing substances, including mushroom and plant extracts. Drug use was ultimately one of the major reasons for the dissolution of the ancient Olympic Games.

There is also evidence of drug taking in other ancient empires. In the Roman Empire, gladiatorial co petitions and chariot races were a major source of public entertainment. Chariot racers fed their horse substances to make them run aster, while many Gladiators were "doped up" to make their fights sufficiently vigorous and bloody for the paying audience.

Another argument against the system is that the detection system is not as advanced as that of the methods of using drugs. This means that athletes who have access to these technological advances are at an advantage as they can use these methods and avoid detection.

As well as official action there are other implications of being caught taking drugs that may help to stop its occurrence, such as the bad publicity an athlete will receive and the reputation they will also receive. They may also find that any further successes they may have will be clouded by doubt of that they performed fairly.

Harmful effects of beta-blockers are that they cause low blood pressure and a slow heart rate. They can also cause fatigue.

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Approximate Word count = 3053
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)