Doping in sport has been around for a long time. In cycling the first death attributable to doping was back in Arthur Linton back in 1896. He was trained by Chopper Warburton from Haslingden (just up the road from here) who trained three champion cyclists all of whom died before 40. The use of performance enhancing drugs wasn't banned until 1965!
At a time we are looking at the cheating side of drugs in sport I find myself thinking of the harm it has done to some many over the years. It's not just unfair it is genuinely tragic.
To be legends of dream, heroes
No way to win without the dope
They fuel the myth, recruit the young
The only way, the only hope
From strychnine to amphetamine
EPO, steroids, cortisone
Blood transfusions, needles and pills
HGH human growth hormone
The end of innocence came
Eighteen Ninety Six Linton died
Nineteen seventy’s new rules fell
Too late to turn this drug-fueled tide
As Tommy passed on Ventoux’ slopes
The pirate taken by cocaine
And fit young men died in their sleep
The knew the risks, we saw the pain
Fallen Heroes, battered beaten
Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide
Reputations gone, lives destroyed
The cost of greed the cost of pride
I'm Seamus Kelly, poet, writer, facilitator and teacher - welcome to "Thinking Too Much" my poetry blog. Here I share some of my poetry and reviews and information about spoken word events. All material, images and backgrounds are my own work - Copyright - Seamus Kelly (2015) and may not be used without specific permission.
This is an amazing blog sir! This post is very powerful in light of recent events. May I follow your blog?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I'll be happy for you to follow.
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