Commentary

The debate on hypoxic air devices is of interest to me as a doctor, a researcher, and an active participant in a number of committees and bodies which are concerned with ethics and doping. I write this commentary as a personal contributor though, and not as a representative of any particular organisation or authority.

The issues here appear to revolve around the concept of cheating in order to gain an unfair advantage in a sporting contest. The use of artificial means to enhance performance immediately raises eyebrows because of an unease about using other than “natural” (dare I say “God given”?) talents to compete (and win) at sport. There is a perception that cheating implies anything that appears to enhance performance by non-natural physical or chemical means. …