Peruvian Football Club Eyes Viagra For On-Field Performance Boost

Peruvian football club Alianza Lima is "considering the possibility of giving its players Viagra during matches played at altitude in the local championships," according to the AP. In a country where some Peruvian league matches take place in towns between 2,700 and 3,300 meters, Alianza players "could be looking at reaping the benefits from the erectile dysfunction drug." Coach Wilmar Valencia said, "When we were in Spain during preseason, we talked with the club doctor and he explained to us that Viagra could help improve the physical conditioning of players at altitude." Valencia added that if results showed that the male potency pill enhanced on-field performances then "the club would use it" (AP, 2/28). Alianza Lima trainer Freddy Prado said, "The use of viagra in football is not doping, it helps get more blood to the heart and allows aeration in altitude" (LA REPUBLICA, 2/28).