EPO for runner after starting decathlon (4)
I believe the answer is:
drug
'epo' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'runner after starting decathlon' is the wordplay.
'runner' becomes 'rug' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'starting' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'decathlon' is 'd'.
'rug' after 'd' is 'DRUG'.
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for drug that I've seen before include "may be soft or hard" , "Substance used in medicine, often abused" , "Medication" , "Perhaps an upper" , "Tranquillize" .)