Tour De France

[fourteen85]

Could someone explain to me why, according to Wikipedia, when Tommy Simpson had died he had been taking amphetamines and alchohol and yet has a memorial to him on Mont Ventoux, yet modern day drug cheats are vilified, so what's the difference between then and now?

[bhg481]

I think 50 years is the answer fourteen, in the same way that Prince Charles has been allowed to marry a divorced woman but his uncle had to abdicate when he wanted to do the same thing. Attitudes change over time.

[Khandro]

Amphetamine is a stimulant and taking it isn't -as far as an athlete is concerned - any more effective than drinking strong coffee. Alcohol is a depressant (a "downer") and of absolutely no use to athletic performance, might even be a handicap in the summer heat experienced by Simpson on that mountain.

[bhg481]

I read somewhere (a long time ago) that the drugs Tommy Simpson were taking didn't so much enhance his performance but took away the signals that told his brain that he was overdoing things and should stop. No signals - did not stop but his heart did.

[ichkeria]

The difference surely is that Simpson died.