# What would the Olympics be like if all the rules on doping were removed?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-olympics-be-like-if-all-the-rules-on-doping-were-removed/946978>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [July 21, 2021, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-olympics-be-like-if-all-the-rules-on-doping-were-removed/946978 "2021-07-21T14:46:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-olympics-be-like-if-all-the-rules-on-doping-were-removed/946978/21 "2021-07-21T17:56:08Z")

</div>

There have been racers who were using bikes with [hidden electric motors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_doping).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2021, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-olympics-be-like-if-all-the-rules-on-doping-were-removed/946978/22 "2021-07-21T18:12:39Z")

</div>

> **[Competitive swimming – DW – 07/24/2009](https://www.dw.com/en/super-suits-banned-from-competitive-swimming/a-4516151)**
>
> Swimming's governing body FINA has banned the use of high-tech 'super suits.' The swimsuits were responsible for a spate of world records but have been blamed for ruining the sport.

Yes, there were a few reasons why the suits were banned, including reduced friction and added buoyancy, as well as turning swimming into a technological race where poorer swimmers and nations would be disadvantaged.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-olympics-be-like-if-all-the-rules-on-doping-were-removed/946978/23 "2021-07-21T18:16:10Z")

</div>

A better example of technology-dominated sport, I think, would be weightlifting. There are some “weightlifting shirts” that are so stiff, that the lifter can’t even lower his arms unless he’s holding the barbell. The shirt, in other words, is stronger than the athlete.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2021, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-olympics-be-like-if-all-the-rules-on-doping-were-removed/946978/24 "2021-07-21T19:05:20Z")

</div>

> [@QuickSilver](#):
>
> And I don’t even think it’s fair to assume that it would be at the risk to the health of athletes under most circumstances. If it was made legal, the “doping” drugs would be improved to be safer for athletes in the long run because that is a large investment to make in a champion and risk losing him/her to heart failure.

I don’t think legalizing doping would lead to safer drugs. If there was a safe drug that boosted performance 50%, and another drug with side effects that gave a 51% boost, athletes would take the second one every time. There is pressure (competitive and financial) to be the best. There is no pressure to be safe, unless the governing bodies force it to happen.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2021, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-olympics-be-like-if-all-the-rules-on-doping-were-removed/946978/25 "2021-07-21T19:40:07Z")

</div>

Or something like this:

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/DFgZXL3tL1A/hqdefault.jpg "East German Womens Olympic Team Rare Footage") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFgZXL3tL1A)

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-olympics-be-like-if-all-the-rules-on-doping-were-removed/946978.md?page=1)