Summary Of When Doping Isn T Cheating By Alex Hutchinson
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Doping Controversies: Drawing the Line Between Legal and Illegal
The use of performance enhancing drugs by professional athletes, or "doping," has been acknowledged as a problem since at least the 1960s. Alex Hutchinson, an author for the New York Times, argues against the line between what constitutes as legal and illegal performance enhancing methods, stating, “the dichotomy between clean-cut, Wheaties-fed role model and dope-fueled cheat is a little blurrier than you might think (Hutchinson 1). Throughout his article, When Doping Isn’t Cheating, Hutchinson defends his argument with cases and examples that include both the use of legal and illegal substances that have the same performance enhancing effects, asking why some are banned and…show more content… The first aspect they mention is to write about what others are saying, they refer to this as “they say”. This will help you clarify and frame the issue you are responding too. After you have declared what “they say”, then you reply with your own thoughts, declaring your argument. Graff and Birkenstein also explain that stating your argument quickly is a key tool; this gives the reader a preview about what is motivating your position. Alex Hutchinson starts the argument like he is entering a conversation by stating what others are saying. He portrays the “they say” side of the matter immediately with a case concerning the use of performance enhancing drugs but he does so in an interesting way. Hutchinson summarizes a point that is not directly stated but is left for the reader to assume. He brings to the table a story about Daryl Impey, a South African cyclist, explaining that Mr. Impey was exonerated for purchasing some pills to boost his performance. A little while later, he tested positive for probenecid, a substance that masks the presence of other drugs. Turns out, the pharmacist sold him empty gelatin capsules but used a counter contaminated with probenecid from selling it to a previous customer. Mr. Impey then stuffed his capsules with sodium bicarbonate, his legal performance-enhancing drug of choice, and the very next day, rode to victory. He follows this story directly with the words, “Yet somehow, that’s different.” This represents the “I say” part of his argument. Although not stated directly, it is clear that he disagrees with the laws that have been set in place about the legality of certain performance enhancing drugs in sports. Throughout the rest of the article, Hutchinson uses a number of cases to prove that the distinction between good and bad pills is extremely blurry. He explains numerous illegal drugs that have caused athletes to