,000 spectators. The use of drugs during this period has also been recorded. Chariot racers fed their horses a potent mixture to make them run faster, while many gladiators were 'doped-up' to make their fights sufficiently vigorous and bloody for the paying public. (4)Drug TestingIn 1983 is when drug-testing strategies took an important step forward. This is when analytical procedures were significantly refined such as blood tests and urine samples. The introduction of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry allowed accurate results to be consistently obtained. Also in 1983, this new technology resulted in the now famous scandal at the Pan American Games in Caracas where numerous athletes tested positive to prohibited drugs, and many others left the Games without competing rather than being caught. The IOC established a comprehensive set of operating procedures and standards for laboratories to ensure that drug testing is conducted in a uniform and effective manner. The Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory in Sydney is one of only twenty-four worldwide, with the appropriate accreditation from the IOC to carry out sports drug testing. (Camp)Major EventsThe following are years when major events in drug abuse took place in sports, most are at the professional level. (4)1886: The first recorded death was in 1886 when a cyclist, Linton, died from an overdose of trimethyl. 1904: The first near death in modern Olympics where a marathon runner, Thomas Hicks, was using a mixture of brandy and strychnine.No specific date: Most drugs involved alcohol and strychnine. Heroin, caffeine and cocaine were also widely used until heroin and cocaine became available only on prescription.1930s: Amphetamines were produced and quickly became the choice over strychnine. 1950s: The Soviet team used male hormones to increase power and strength and the Americans developed steroids as a response.1960: At the Olympics, Danish cyclist, Kurt Jense...
