Doping in Sport Notes

Doping in Sport

• Doping is defined as:
  • Taking any prohibited substance.
  • Manipulating any natural substance within the body.
• Doping is:
  • Dangerous to health.
  • Morally and ethically wrong.
  • Cheating to gain an unfair advantage.
• World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA):
  • Established a list of prohibited substances and procedures.
  • Classifies substances under headings.

Anabolic Steroids

• Also referred to as Steroids.
• Synthetically created chemical compounds.
• Resemble naturally occurring sex hormones, especially testosterone.
• Use:
  • Build power and strength.
  • Build muscle faster than ordinary weight training.
  • Train harder.
  • Recover more quickly.
  • Compete more often.
• Side effects:
  • Increased risk of liver and cardiovascular disease.
  • Increased aggression.
  • Mood swings.
  • Psychological issues like suicidal tendencies.
  • Acne.
  • Baldness.
• Men's side effects:
  • Shrinking testicles.
  • Breast growth.
  • Reduced sex drive and impotence.
  • Decrease in sperm count.
• Women's side effects:
  • Deeper voice.
  • Excessive facial and body hair.
  • Abnormal menstrual cycles.
  • Enlarged clitoris.

EPO – Erythropoietin

• Helps the body use oxygen.
• May thicken blood.
• Side effects of thick blood:
  • Weakness.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Heart attack or stroke.

Stimulants

• Used to heighten the competitive edge.
• After effects:
  • Insomnia.
  • Involuntary shaking or trembling.
  • Coordination and balance problems.
  • Increased and irregular heartbeat.
  • Heart attack or stroke.

Human Growth Hormone - HGH

• Makes bones and muscles stronger.
• Allows faster recovery.
• Side effects:
  • Acromegaly (protruding forehead, brow, skull, and jaw) - irreversible.
  • Enlarged heart leading to high blood pressure and heart failure.
  • Damage to thyroid and vision.
  • Crippling arthritis.

Masking Agents

• Used to cover up signs of banned substances via diuretics, etc.
• Side effects:
  • Dizziness or fainting.
  • Dehydration.
  • Muscle cramps.
  • Drop in blood pressure.
  • Confusion and moodiness.

Other Banned Substances

• Marijuana:
  • Negative effect on athletic performance.
  • Reduces memory, attention, and motivation.
  • May result in learning disabilities.
  • Weakens the immune system.
  • Affects lungs (chronic bronchitis, respiratory diseases, cancer).
  • Leads to psychological and physical dependence.
• Narcotics (heroin, morphine):
  • Helps forget about pain.
  • Weakened immune system.
  • Decreased heart rate and suppressed respiratory system.
  • Loss in balance, coordination, and concentration.
  • Gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and constipation.
  • Highly addictive.

Other Dangers

• Banned methods of administering substances or manipulating physiology.
• Blood doping (including blood transfusions):
  • Changes how blood carries oxygen.
  • Increased risk of heart failure, stroke, kidney damage, and high blood pressure.
  • Blood problems like infections, poisoning, overloading of white blood cells, and reduced platelet count.
  • Circulatory system problems.

Supplements and Over The Counter Medications

• Athletes must be careful due to banned ingredients.
• Athletes are responsible for everything they put into their bodies.
• Seek advice from a doctor knowledgeable about WADA banned substances.

Anti-Doping Code

• Accepted by:
  • International Olympic Committee.
  • Governments.
  • International Federations.
  • National Olympic Committees.
  • National Federations.
  • Sportsmen throughout the world.

Drug Testing

• Done worldwide at international and local competitions.
• Out of competition testing during training and competition periods.

Testing Procedures

• Strict protocols at each stage.
• Urine sample in visual presence of a doping control officer.
• Sample divided into A and B in athlete's presence.
• Samples with serial number sent to an accredited lab.
• Sample A tested for prohibited substances.
• Athlete notified through National Federation if adverse findings.
• If challenged, Sample B is tested with athlete representation.
• Right of appeal through the Court of Arbitration (CAS) in Switzerland if disagreement persists.

Blood testing/Biological Passport

• Newer form of testing emerged in the last fifteen years.
• Tests done on the athlete’s blood which establishes a profile of the blood
• Looking for marked changes in the blood that would suggest that prohibited substances have been taken since the last test.

Penalties

• Suspensions from competitions:
  • Six months to four years.
  • Lifetime ban.
  • Depending on substance and offense history.
• Suppliers (coaches, unethical medical persons) can also be suspended.

Ongoing Fight

• Doping continues despite rules and regulations.
• WADA and other agencies use education, especially for young athletes.
• Advanced testing methods are constantly being developed.
• Retesting samples years later can result in:
  • Athletes being stripped of medals.
  • Medals awarded to rightful athletes.