Viva Viagra - but not if you're an athlete.
The World Anti-Doping Agency is considering banning the drug because of its capability to be used as a "performance enhancer" (yeah, yeah).
Viagra (sildenafil citrate) works to increase blood flow by causing blood vessels to become wider, which, in theory, could provide an extra boost to sporting performance. For example, high-altitude studies have shown viagra to restore oxygen levels or lung capacity - which would be a huge help if your team's playing in mile-high stadium. New York papers already reported in June that several well-known athletes were popping Viagra to increase their sports stamina.
John Fahey, the president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, said at a press conference last week: âI can simply say this, there have been statements to suggest that it is performance-enhancing â that is being evaluated.â
âItâs not being ignored,â said Fahey.
To determine Viagra's potential use as a performance-enhancing drug, Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. is testing it in athletes in mild altitudes and under air pollution conditions. Already, the test subjects are getting flack for their 'willingness' to do the study. âIt may take awhile to live this one down,â says Marywood University lacrosse player George Downey.
Meanwhile the University of Miami is looking at whether it improves athletes' exercise performance at moderate altitude.
I think this is a hard decision for the WADA - after all, the, *eh-em*, social benefits are not exactly ones you want to announce the need for. But if its banned in any way, athletes will have to do just that, either when they're caught with it in their system or in advance to get a therapeutic exemption to use it.
Boy, that'd be a tough conversation to have with your coach. "Yeah, I need to get an exemption to take Viagra... Please don't tell my wife." Or, just imagine the news coverage of this. "So and so has tested positive for Viagra and will be suspended - guess he's not as much of a stud as we thought."
Ouch.
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