By @forensicfield
What is Doping ?
Doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the following anti-doping rule violations.
- Presence of a prohibited substance in an athlete’s sample
- Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method.
- Refusing to submit to sample after being noticed.
- Failure to file athlete whereabouts information & missed tests.
- Tampering with any part of the doping control process.
- Possession of a prohibited substance or method.
- Administering or attempting to administer a prohibited substance or method to a athlete
- Trafficking a prohibited substance or method
Why sports performers take drugs?
- Better results lead to better sponsors and endorsement contracts
- Desire to be the best at all costs; winning brings financial rewards
- Making the most of a short sporting life
- To recover from injury more quickly or to mask pain
- Influenced by others
- Desire to meet expectations of others
- Natural ability isn’t good enough
History of Doping
- Ancient Greeks ate plants to try to improve performance at the Olympic Games.
- 1886: Fatality of an English cyclist using the stimulant trimethyl.
- 1904 Olympic Games: Some American cyclists used strychnine.
- 1976 Montreal Olympic Games dominated by East German women‘s swim team.
Historical Efforts to Stop Doping
- 1983: The USOC Drug Control program was established (widespread perception that the USOC was helping athletes beat testing programs).
- 1950s: IOC passed a resolution against doping.
- 1967: IOC established a medical commission to control drug use.
- 1988: Summer Olympic Games in Seoul: Ben Johnson.’’
Drugs
A drug is any chemical substance you take that affects the way your body works.
Most drugs are developed for medical purposes, but doping means taking drugs to improve sporting performance.
It is a growing problem in sport.
Classes of Banned Substances
- Stimulants
- Narcotics Analgesics
- Diuretics
- Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid
- Beta-adrenergic blockers
Why are they banned?
- Health Concerns – some drugs used by athletes can have serious effects on an individual’s health. e.g. Anabolic Steroids
- Legal Concerns – some drugs are banned because they are illegal in general society. e.g. Cocaine
- Ethical Concerns – The use of certain drugs which do not pose a major health risk, but may offer a performance advantage over other athletes. This may be considered cheating. e.g. Beta Blockers
Anabolic agents
Anabolic agents are the most commonly used drugs in sports. They mimic testosterone, a male hormone
EXAMPLES
- Stanozolol
- Clenbuterol
- Boldenone
- Nandrolone
- Testosterone
Effects can include:
- Increases muscle mass
- Develops bone growth
- Increases strength,
- Rapid improvement
- Increases aggression
Side-effects can include
- INFERTILITY
- ANXIETY
- HEART ATTACKS
- STROKES
- KIDNEY PROBLEMS
- IMPOTENCE IN MEN
- INCREASED FACIAL HAIR
STIMULANTS
Stimulants are the second most commonly used drugs in sports.
Examples of these drugs include: amphetamines, ephedrine, cocaine and caffeine.
Effects can include:
- Reduces feelings of tiredness so a person can train for longer.
- Stimulates the central nervous system (CNS) making people more alert
Side-effects can include:
- User becomes irritable and is unable to sleep.
- High blood pressure
- Irregular and faster heartbeat.
NARCOTIC ANALGESICS
Narcotic analgesics are addictive drugs & are usually injected into the blood stream. Ex: heroin, methadone, morphine & codeine.
Effects can include:
- Reduces the sensation of the central nervous system.
- Masks pain
Side-effects can include:
- Loss Of Concentration
- Loss Of Coordination
DIURETICS
Diuretics are drugs which increase the rate of water loss from the body. Ex: Furosemide, Triamterene & Chlortalidone.
Effects can include
- Diuretics are used in sports where there are weight categories to ‘make the weight’.
- Speeds up work of kidneys by producing more urine. This reduces fluid retention, which causes rapid weight loss.
Side-effects can include:
- Dehydration and possibly dizziness.
- Headaches, nausea & fatigue.
- Kidney illness can develop.
- Muscle cramps.
BETA-BLOCKERS
Beta-blockers are used as a relaxant.
Examples– atenolol and nodolol.
Side effect
However, they can reduce the heart rate so much that there is a danger that the heart may stop.
Effects of Substances -BLOOD DOPING
- A procedure which involves injecting extra blood, red blood cells, artificial oxygen carriers and related blood products into the body as a means of increasing the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
- Flaws in technique can lead to complications ranging from bacterial infections to fatal reactions.
- The sharing of needles or blood can lead to diseases such as hepatitis or HIV.
