What is doping?
One of the most controversial topics in sports is doping. Doping means athletes knowingly and or unknowingly taking illegal substances to improve their performances in order to gain an unfair advantage over their opponents. Doping is an offense and culprits could face dire consequences, including, stripping of already-won previous medals, world records, and banning and suspension from active competitions.
TOP CLASSES OF BANNED DRUGS
There are five classes of banned drugs, the most common of which are stimulants and hormones. There are health risks involved in taking them, and they are banned by sports governing bodies. Doping is banned in sports and athletics because it gives athletes an unfair advantage over their competitors. Doping means athletes taking illegal substances to improve their performances. There are several classes of banned drugs, the most common of which are stimulants and hormones; these include:-
- anabolic steroids.
- peptide hormones and growth factors (such as human growth hormone)
- beta-2 agonists (medicine used for asthma control)
- hormones.
- diuretics.
- illicit drugs.
The effects of doping on athletes’ health.
In the long run, continuous use of banned substances causes several health complications. Doping in sports can cause a variety of side effects, including dehydration, cramps, and weakness. Some of the other adverse effects include joint pain, muscle weakness, visual disturbances, enlarged heart, diabetes, kidney damage, increased aggression, low sperm count in men, and deepened voices in women. From a literature review of physical and psychological health studies (mental health), it turns out that the effects of doping on athletes are so significant that it gives many hormonal changes, and damage to body tissues, and some may also lead to death.
What is the role of anti-doping agencies in doping interventions?
All over the world, campaigns against doping have been started. Internationally and locally, efforts are being made to ensure early sensitization to young athletes about drug effects. Anti-doping agencies have been playing a crucial role in preventing doping in sports and athletics. One of the well-known organizations is the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). It is the international independent organization responsible for promoting, coordinating, and monitoring education and the fight against doping in all manner of sports. WADA works with other national organizations too. For instance, national anti-doping organizations (NADOs) to develop and implement anti-doping programs that are consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code.
Impact of Doping on Sports Integrity
Doping is in essence a form of cheating. Over the years, doping has had a significant impact on the integrity of sports and athletics. Doping undermines the principles of fair play, hence denying rewards for real hard work, talent, and equal opportunity for all athletes. It also creates an uneven playing field, where some athletes have an unfair advantage over others.
Conclusion:
Although some sportsmen and athletes may get by, doping still remains a big issue, and one way or another they will get caught. Doping does have lasting side effects, both physical and psychological, in an athlete’s body. We all can be ambassadors of fair play by speaking out about and glorifying hard work and speaking against the use of banned substances. Ignorance cannot be an excuse.
