Drugs and Anti-Doping in Sport

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Introduction

What is Doping in Sport

Definitions of Doping

Doping is defined as the presence of prohibited substances or methods to unfairly improve sporting performance and to gain an advantage over competitors

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) states that doping is the use of any method or substance that might harm the athlete, in a quest to gain an unfair advantage over their fellow competitors.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) defines that doping is the occurrence of one or more of the anti-doping rule violation set forth in Article 2.1 through 2.11 of the WADA Code.

Categories of Drugs

Drugs	Definition	Function/ Effects	Side Effects	Examples
Anabolic Steroids	Synthetic hormones that help build muscle faster and to recover faster from training	Most commonly used drugs in sport Mimic testosterone Aid in muscle repair and speeds up muscle building, so an athlete can train harder and more often to increase results at a faster rate	Kidney issues Mood swings Anxiety Aggression High blood pressure Heart attacks Strokes Impotence Infertility Voice changes Increased facial hair in females Irregular menstrual cycle
Peptides	Substances that occur naturally in the body and produce similar effects to anabolic steroids Peptide hormones and analogues ar synthetic substances that copy natural hormones in the body	Human Growth Hormone: acts like an anabolic steroid develops musclce increases fat buring reduces tiredness Erythropoietin (EPO): promotes the production of red blood cells and thus increases the amount of oxygen blood can transport at any one time More oxygen to the muscle allows the athlete to work harder and longer		Human Growth Hormone(HGH) Erythropoietin (EPO)
Analgesics	Painkillers Addictive drugs Usually injected into the blood stream	Reduces the sensation of the central nervous system (CNS) and so helps pain relief Masks pain so athlete is back from injury sooner	Loss of concentration Loss of balance	Heroin Methadone Pethidine Morphine Codeine
Stimulants		Used to reduce feeling of tiredness so an athlete can train for longer Stimulates the central nervous system (CNS) making an athlete more alert	Irritability Sleep deprivation Increased blood pressure Irregular and fast heartbeat	Amphetamines Ephedrine Cocaine Caffeine
Diuretics	Drugs which increase the rate of water loss from the body	Speeds up kidney function by producing more urine, reducing fluid retention and causing rapid weight loss Often used in sports with weight categories (athletes may use it to "make the required weight" for competition) Often used as masking agents to hide the effect of other performance-enhancing drugs	Dehydration Possible dizziness Muscle cramps Headaches Nausea Fatigue Development of kidney illness
Beta Blockers	Used as a relaxant	Athletes maintain a slow heart rate and low blood pressure - which is useful in tense situations such as competition Calming effect also helps in high-risk sports where speed is involved

Why do Athletes Take Performance Enhancing Drugs?

• To recover from injury more quickly
• To mask pain
• Influenced by others
• The will to win overrides the moral conscience
• A desire to be the best at all costs, especially when winning brings financial rewards
• Better results lead to better sponsors and endorsement contracts
• Desire to meet expectations of others
• Making the most of a short sporting life
• Willingness to cheat for public acclaim
• Feeling that their natural ability is not good enough

Why are Drugs Banned in Sports?

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WADA

Purpose

Rule Violations

Athlete Responsibilities

Links to WADA code

Methods of Doping

Categories of WADA Prohibitive Listings

Link to Prohibited List

Testing

Blood Testing

Urine Testing

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Athletes rights

Athletes Responsibilities

Stages of Doping Control

Resources

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