ABSTRACT
At first glance, the anti-doping campaign would seem to be a rational defence mechanism. However, as previous chapters have shown, the rationale behind the scheme is questionable. History teaches us that doping is not something new that has suddenly invaded sport. Approaching the subject from the viewpoint of the history of ideas, and taking as our starting point the role of money, may help to throw light on the change in mentality that generated the anxiety about the doping phenomenon. It took hold in the 1960s and is today more extreme than ever. In what follows focus is on cycling – modernity’s sport par excellence. An attempt will be made to provide a sense of the complexity of the issue as well as the overall structure.
