` :I agree with you on a number of points there. I do think that the drive to succeed for your country for the purpose of political one-up-manship is an interesting factor to mention. At the same time, state promotion of drugs to athletes to achieve this aim was no doubt mixed in there too. There are obviously a few legends that came through clean; Coe, Ovett and Cram to mention a bunch. However, after extensive reading on the subject, I pretty much discount everything in the sprints and throws from 1978 to 1992. The athlete progressions often give the game away. Linford Christie's career for example – relatively slow runner, no major injuries, sudden improvements at the age of 30, – speaks for itself. I'm afraid I could bore you to death on this subject so I'll leave it for now! Take care.    `