Canadiens1958
Registered User
Factors
A distinction should be made between individual and team sports if looking at performance.
You raise the issue of doping. Go a step further and consider all forms of PEDs from steroids to stimulants to relaxants to medications (Olympic banned but NHL accepted) to recreational. The NFL, MLB and NBA were impacted significantly as were most Olympic disciplines. Hockey gets a pass?
But if you look at other sports, including most other track and field disciplines, you'll get completely other results. In many of the disciplines, new records are being set quite often. Also, doping should be considered, as many experts even think the records from the e.g. 1980s should be deleted due to the heavy doping during those years. Most disciplines progress (likely due to things like better training methods, equipment, food, and better circumstances in regard to better surface (to run on, skate on, etc), etc.)
A distinction should be made between individual and team sports if looking at performance.
You raise the issue of doping. Go a step further and consider all forms of PEDs from steroids to stimulants to relaxants to medications (Olympic banned but NHL accepted) to recreational. The NFL, MLB and NBA were impacted significantly as were most Olympic disciplines. Hockey gets a pass?