Drugs, Sport, and Politics [Hardcover]

Robert Voy (Author), Kirk D. Deeter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1991

Readers will get an insider's look at the problem of drug use in the pursuit of athletic gold in "Drugs, Sport, and Politics". Dr. Robert Voy, former Chief Medical Officer for the United States Olympic Committee, tells what drugs are being used and who's using them, how accessible and dangerous black market drugs are, which officials and organizations may have covered up positive drug tests, and how the problem of drugs in sport can be solved.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Voy was Chief Medical Officer for the United States Olympic Committee during the 1988 Games at Seoul (he has since resigned) when Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was stripped of his gold medal for using an anabolic-androgenic steroid. Voy blames such incidents on the emphasis placed on winning at any cost cost by governments, corporate sponsors, and coaches, and the laxness of drug-testing policies and standards. Voy provides a readable source of information on the dangers of drugs and their use to enhance sports performance. Among the damaging side effects are liver damage (steroids), heart failure (cocaine), paranoia (speed), diabetes (human growth hormone), and stroke (blood doping). The underground supply of these drugs makes them easily obtainable. Voy also makes recommendations for enhancing the U.S. amateur athletic program. For coaches, young athletes and their parents, and athletes of all ages.
- Susan L. Patton, Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

"It would be easy to categorise Drugs, Sport, and Politics as the embittered ramblings of a man intent on discrediting his former employer. That, however, would be misleading and mistaken. . . . Voy, to his eternal credit, . . . is genuinely devoid of ulterior motives, obviously concerned purely with the greater good of the sport. . . . That is not to say, however, that Voy has all the answers, but nor does he claim to. What he has produced is a powerful narrative that should form the basis of some good, productive debate."

Running

"This book is the ultimate insider's look at 'the uglier side of the Olympic experience.' Dr. Voy's views are consistently insightful and revealing."

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

"Drugs, Sport, and Politics addresses one of the most significant issues in sport today. The book's popular style makes the presentation interesting and accessible without compromising the quality of Voy's analysis, and will interest sport fans, sport professionals, and sport scholars."

Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

"A compelling but distressing story."

Runner's World

"The book is packed with specific information and fascinating detail."

Triathlete

"Anabolic steroids and human growth hormone are being used by some athletes in sport. These practices are illegal, and must be eliminated from track and field as well as other sports. Dr. Voy is very knowledgeable and is committed to eliminating drugs and making sports clean for all. In his book, Dr. Voy addresses, in a compelling and insightful manner, many of the problems that exist in sports."

Carl Lewis Olympic gold medalist

"Dr. Robert Voy . . . has put his thoughts and observations about performance-enhancing drugs into book form. And it's guaranteed to make a lot of sports officials unhappy. What makes this book a valuable resource is that Voy has pulled the information, details and anecdotes together in readable, plain-spoken language."

USA Today

"Thanks to Dr. Voy, we are less naive. He has exposed the fantasies, frailties, and fallacies of drug testing in sport. When next we are told by a sport-governing body or univeristy that `we don't have a drug problem here--we drug test,' we will be a bit more skeptical.

Chuck Yesalis Professor of Health Policy & Administration and Exercise & Sport Science Penn State University

"The former chief medical officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee sounds off loud and clear on the terrible menace of drug abuse--what drugs are being used, what effects they have, why the USOC is not committing itself to the war against drugs, and what he believes should be done about it. He is by turns frightening, depressing, and finally, strongly constructive."

Scholastic Coach

"This is a no-holds-barred, names-are-named insider's account of what has and is happening as athletes/coaches fall to the pressure and desires to reach the top, regardless of the means or cost. . . . [Drugs, Sport, and Politics] offers hope and should be read by those who have any ambitions of reaching the top, by those who help/advise them, by educators and by those who see parallels with the moral decay that drug abuse outside the sports arena has facilitated. The cost of ignorance or avoidance of reality is too high. Avoid ignorance and get a copy of this highly recommended book."

BC [British Columbia] Athletics

"Drugs, Sport, and Politics is engrossing, easy-to-grasp reading for anyone who cares about the health of athletes and the future of competitive sport."

JUCO Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Pr (January 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880114096
• ISBN-13: 978-0880114097
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,744,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who'd of Thunk It, January 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Drugs, Sport, and Politics (Hardcover)

This book shed more light on the problems of drugs in sports than I thought possible. The lengths that people go to cover up their abuse of performance enhancing drugs amazes me. I knew there was common drug use among elite level athletes ... but this is almost scary.