1976 Summer Olympic Games, doping, Shirley Babishaw
ABC SPORTS - 1976 SUMMER OLYMPICS - Swimming Events - The 1976 Summer Olympic Games aired on the ABC Television Network from July 17 to August 1, 1976. Shoot Date: July 25, 1976. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) WOMEN'S 800M FREESTYLE
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One race epitomized the fight against athlete doping

As groups like the World Anti-Doping Agency continue to push for clean sport, even years after an event takes place, a look back at the Wild West time during the heart of the doping era sheds light on the stark differences between those who tried to race clean and those who were part of state-sponsored chemical engineering.

A student documentary showcases the story of the 1976 U.S. women's Olympic swimming team who battled against the steroid-riddled East Germans, culminating in a race and story that will be remembered forever.

 

Jakob A. Wastek is a senior journalism student and filmmaker at Arizona State University

Editor's note: For the coming 2019-2020 academic year, the Global Sport Institute's research theme will be "Sport and the body." The Institute will conduct and fund research and host events that will explore a myriad of topics related to the body, including the use of performance enhancement techniques.

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