An Australian sports scientist who helped develop a test to detect EPO thinks the abuse by athletes of legal performance-enhancing substances could become a major issue of the Beijing Olympics."Beijing will probably be remembered for the abuse of legal drugs like Viagra," Robin Parisotto told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio on Friday. "Any physical activity that goes for longer than two minutes would be a beneficiary of something like Viagra, just like the normal blood doping drugs."The World Anti-Doping Agency is investigating whether or not to include Viagra on its list of banned substances, but no decision will be taking until after the August 8-24 Beijing Olympics.EPO, a synthetic hormone which enhances endurance by stimulating the production of oxygen-rich red blood cells, is among the main drugs of choice among cheaters.Parisotto, who helped design the first recognized EPO test before the Sydney 2000 Olympics, said Viagra had the same benefits as blood doping because of its circulatory effects "and not only in the private parts."Other substances, like psychological medication, can also enhance performance, Parisotto said."To take a drug which will keep your mind clear and focused certainly is another area of drug-taking that would be of benefit to athletes."Experts are divided over whether Viagra actually offers athletes an edge.Some sports authorities say the drug is now finding a following among athletes. It isn't clear how many might be taking it in hopes of improving athletic performance.
