Long description
This image shows examples of comments in online forums, numbered 1 to 6, each in a differently shaped speech bubble. The text inside each bubble is:
‘1. Sport does not have a level playing field. How can rich nations send their rowing teams with costly carbon boats to train at altitude and develop more red blood cells and gain an advantage, while poorer nations can’t even buy a rowing boat? Same in many equipment sports e.g. cycling.’
‘2. Too many forces drive towards doping. National and personal pride, lucrative sponsorship and endorsement deals entice athletes to perform better through whatever means. Even amateur athletes in gyms take steroids, but it harms their long-term health.’
‘3. I was born in the 1960s and raised to believe in the nobility of sports and the Olympics. Sport was an integral part of education and a means for a healthy life, but now it’s more about the entertainment industry, which defeats the whole original spirit.’
‘4. Individuals should take responsibility for their actions and be punished accordingly.’
‘5. Either allow it for anyone or punish them stronger. Ban them from any sport and remove any pay they have from sports.’
‘6. Look at crime in society: it also can’t be stopped – does this mean we just give up and not have any police because crimes continue? We should minimise doping as best we can.’