For anyone to suggest that the slightest trace of effadrine (sp) in something like Sudafed of Benylin is performance enchancing is plainly ridiculous.

So what if that slight trace of Ephidrine suggested that 2 weeks before the test, the person being tested had taken enough of the substance DELIBERATELY to make it performance enhancing?

How easy would it be for said 'cheat' to just lie and say "Oh, i took some Benylin"

Remember, all the NOCs, WADA and other bodies dealing with drugs in Sport have had enough expereince of systematic indoctrination of athletes i.e. Communist Block nations, to know all the excuses that can come out!

I took a Lucozade tablet once that made me fart for a week does that count!!

That didnt really enhance any performance of yours though!
Just made you more socially unnaceptable!

There was a good debate on the FiveLive version of the Moral Maze on this recently.

Most, including the head of the testing agency for UK sports agreed that it would be better if recreational drugs, which many of the panelist probably rightly called 'performance diminishing' drugs, rather than performance enhancing, were not dealt with by the sport agencies.

It was not suggested that the use of those drugs be condoned. Rather, that it is not a case of cheating in sports (quite the opposite in terms of perfornamce) therefore should not be dealt with by the sports governing bodies. Was suggested, and I agree with this, that sports governing bodies only deal with explicitly performance enhancing drugs. Issues of players using 'recreational' drugs should be dealt with by both clubs and of course the police where that is appropriate.

Was further suggested that those taking recreational drugs, especially where it is a case of the pressure of the sport leading them astray and trying to find a 'fix' to get away from the pressure, be referred to drugs councelling and support and be allowed to return once they are clean.

Know of a few myself!

To be honest i'm surprised any professional sports person dare take any performance enhancing drugs! The rules and testing procedures are so strict I just dont see the point in risking your career just to maybe increase your stamina by 5%