CAPITALISM AND SPORT

We are all well aware that the Tour de France cycling race has been marred by drugs, even leading to death. Football clubs have been investigated for illegal "bungs" and the once pristine sport of cricket has had its bribery and corruption scandals. Now we find that golf too has been invaded by drug cheats. "Gary Player, one of the legends of golf, has marked the start of this year's Open Championship at Carnoustie by declaring that performance-enhancing drugs are rife among world players. The South African who won three Opens, the first of them at Carnoustie 38 years ago, said he knows several top golfers are developing their physiques by taking human-growth hormones, steroids and creatine, though only the first two are prohibited by international sports bodies." (Herald, 19 July) It seems that everything that capitalism touches it corrupts in its insatiable drive for wealth. RD