Doping

Great points well made.

I still think it is only natural that this British forum and British Press ask exacting questions of and debate a British sporting hero with questions to answer. Mo Farah/Paula Radcliffe have hardly had an easy ride over doping suspicion so it's not something just limited to cycling. The fact remains that BW is about as big as it comes in terms of British sporting stars, regardless of sporting discipline, and this drives much of debate.

On your points regarding rugby and football, I have no doubt that doping is rife here, as I imagine across the sporting spectrum. Personally, as a fan, I care less in these sports as there is a pleasure in watching for the skill and spectacle alone. A beautiful cross, some swift hands in the back line etc. As such, the doping bothers me, as a fan, less. I can still enjoy a game of football even if I think some of them juiced.

With cycling, it's different . While there is some skill involved it is not on the same level, particularly for a climber. What it is really about is fitness, which is where doping makes all the difference. This is why there is more of a clamour to fix cycling and athletics than the team sports which require immense skill to get to a high level in the first place. The winners still won because they scored more goals, not just because they could run further for longer (though that will help) there is still enjoyment from the spectacle.