Alarico Endres, who is responsible for Gremio's medical sector,
has discovered that Viagra might actually have more than one use.
Apart from its obvious 'sexual enhancement', the famous blue pill
could also help footballers perform better when playing in stadiums
that are at a high altitude.
"Viagra increases and improves the blood circulation," explained
Endres.
"It therefore can improve the performances of players at high
altitude.
"I had this illumination by reading a magazine, which wasn't a
medical one: so we decided to elaborate this topic with a
scientific test, and now we shall also give an indication to the
technical commission."
Gremio's medical staff are expected to provide this pill to their
players during the games of the Copa Libertadores, in particular
when the matches are played above 2,500 metres in Bolivia.
Viagra is currently not present on the list of prohibited
substances, but following the sales boom during the Olympics in
Peking, a group of experts are carrying out some research in the
United States to study its doping effects.
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