Read the text, using a dictionary if necessary

The use of drugs in sport is evident throughout thr history of sport. In ancient Greece, for example, from about 400 BC sport achieved a status similar, if not greater than, its place in society today. The value of a victory in the ancient Olympics was equivalent of nearly half a million dollars. This was accompanied by other rewards including food, homes, tax exemptions and even deferment from the armed service.

During the twentieth century, sporting activity has gradually evolved into a “a big business” providing a significant, worldwide source of entertainment and employment. Sport has also developed into a significant social institution and to succeed in sport has become highly valued. This has placed pressure on sports people to become not only successful, but the best. This pressure has contributed to the escalation in the incidence of drug taking and the number of drug related deaths within the sport community.

The first recorded death was in 1886 when a cyclist, Linton, died from an overdose of trimethyl. At the Olympics in 1960 Danish cyclist, Kurt Jensen, collapsed and died from amphetamine overdose. In 1967 cyclist Tommy Simpson died because of the illegal taking of amphetamines in the Tour de France.

The International Olympic Committee at last took action. The Medical Commission was established and the first drug tests were conducted at the Mexico Games in 1968. A schedule of banned substances was developed – a schedule that now includes stimulants, beta-blockers, anabolic steroids, male hormones and many others.

Unfortunately, athletes learnt quickly how to beat the system, and drug taking went on. At the Seoul Olympics, in 1988, Ben Johnson tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid. He was stripped of his gold medal and was suspended for two years. So why do athletes take drugs? There are a number of factors, but the reason is evident: financial and material reward are major influences on athletes and sporting performance. Sport, which was once an activity to fill in leisure time, has now become a way to earn a living for some of our elite athletes. In recent times people have commented that money-making principles have begun to replace athletes` moral principles.

Notes:

· tax exemption – освобождение от налога

· deferment — отсрочка

· escalation — эскалация, увеличение масштабов

· schedule of banned substances — перечень запрещенных веществ

· to beat the system — обойти систему

· was stripped of — был лишен

· was suspended — был временно отстранен (исключен)