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Dope

How the cheats stay one step ahead, and what's being done to stop them
Brief Description
As human beings, we're fascinated by elite human performance. And if it derives from nefarious means? Arguably that's even more alluring—just look at the Enhanced Games, the sporting free-for-all where doping is allowed that will take place in 2026. The lengths athletes, and their support teams,... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3999
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Releases 6th August 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Dope" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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A look at the murky world of doping in sport, uncovering how the cheats keep one step ahead of the authorities and what drives them to do so.

A look at the murky world of doping in sport, uncovering how the cheats keep one step ahead of the authorities and what drives them to do so.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

As human beings, we're fascinated by elite human performance. And if it derives from nefarious means? Arguably that's even more alluring—just look at the Enhanced Games, the sporting free-for-all where doping is allowed that will take place in 2026. The lengths athletes, and their support teams, go to in search of peak performance is unsettling, dangerous and captivating.

Just as intriguing is how the anti-doping authorities combat, or attempt to combat, the cheats. Blood tests, urine tests, examination of fitness data, monitoring social media a la Big Brother in an effort to determine where the athlete's training. Is it in a country that doesn't have an accredited testing lab nearby? The alarm bells ring.

It's good versus evil, but who's winning?

Through the lens of case studies through the history of doping in sport, Dope! examines the landscape of sport and doping in the modern era. It uncovers the common methods of cheating and what tricks the authorities have up their sleeves to identify and catch those who cross the line.

This is an eye-opening and enthralling account of modern-day sport—one which will change the way you view it forever.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781785129780

Publisher: Bonnier Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 May 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: BLINK Publishing

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 396g

Pages: 320

About the Author

James Witts has carved out a career from making science accessible, whether for the broadsheets (Observer), consumer magazines (Cyclist, Rouleur, New Scientist...) or websites (CyclingNews, BBC Focus, Live Science...). He has written three books, published by Bloomsbury - The Science of the Tour de France; Training Secrets of the World's Greatest Footballers; Riding with the Rocketmen - that lifted the lid on elite sporting performance, all in a jargon-free and inviting manner.

I've also written extensively on doping in sport for many years. Publications who I've written for on this subject include: The Observer, Cyclist, CyclingNews, Cycling Plus and Rouleur.

He has appeared regularly on 5Live, TalkSport and many other radio stations and podcasts.

Also by James Witts

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  • Dope
    As human beings, we're fascinated by elite human performance. And if it derives from nefarious means? Arguably that's even more alluring—just look at the Enhanced Games, the sporting free-for-all where doping is allowed that will take place in 2026. The lengths athletes, and their support teams, go to in search of peak performance is unsettling, dangerous and captivating. Just as...
    Hardback
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