Imagine you’re on the starting blocks of an Olympic race. Shaving a few fractions of a second off your time could be the difference between receiving thousands of pounds worth of endorsements and sponsorship, or going home with nothing except a painful memory. For some athletes, the most effective solution seems to be worth the risk. Taking drugs such as anabolic steroids and stimulants appear to be the answer. But there’s a big problem; not only do they have highly adverse effects on your body, but their use is also illegal. Would you take the risks, ranging from being banned to having a heart attack, to win a race?

This guide explores the science behind the techniques employed by chemists all over the world to catch the athletes using these unfair practices, as well as taking a look at the problematic shortfalls in the technology.