It was an activity which encouraged healthy competition for cross-country distance achieved, speed - thus time - over a course, possibly competition for the altitude reached (albeit assisted by oxygen for personal safety, not performance enhancement), and also the challenges of temperature.
It can be a daunting experience to begin a flight in sweltering hot conditions which promote thermal activity, then to reach an altitude where the air temperature is much, much colder – perhaps down to freezing.
Imagine if I had decided to secrete a small engine somehow in my glider so that I could use it to gain altitude, achieve a high speed across country, remove any risks of having to outland if I could no longer find the thermals needed to stay aloft, and then use this performance-enhancer during flying competitions. When I won, the acclaim would be mine, but not any honour!
Advertisement
That's what drugs in sport do to competitors – let them win, but not attain!
Discuss in our Forums
See what other readers are saying about this article!
Click here to read & post comments.
1 post so far.
About the Author
Ian Nance's media career began in radio drama production and news. He took up TV direction of news/current affairs, thence freelance television and film producing, directing and writing. He operated a program and commercial production company, later moving into advertising and marketing.
reddit this
Del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
StumbleUpon
