​DEFINTION​


The use of drugs in sports is termed "Doping." It is the use of any stimulant normally employed to increase the person of action in athletic competition above the average.



Any person knowingly acting or assisting as explained above shall be excluded from any place where this rules are in place or if he or she is a competitor be suspended for a time or otherwise from further participation in armature athletics under jurisdiction of its federation.



BACKGROUND



Doping is now a global problem that follows international sporting events worldwide. International sports federations, led by the International Olympic Committee, have for the past half century attempted to stop the spread of this problem, with little effect. It was expected that, with educational programs, testing, and supportive medical treatment, this substance-abusing behavior would decrease. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. In fact, new, more powerful and undetectable doping techniques and substances are now abused by professional athletes, while sophisticated networks of distribution have developed.



​ISSUE


Athletes face enormous pressure to excel in competition. They also know that winning can reap them more than just a gold medal. A star athlete can earn a lot of money and a lot of fame, and athletes only have a short time to do their best work. Athletes know that training is the best path to victory, but they also get the message that some drugs and other practices can boost their efforts and give them a shortcut, even as they risk their health and their athletic careers.



RELATED LITERATURE



There are also a number of factors on why athletes continue misusing drugs. These factors can be related to the drug itself, the person or their environment.



​Drug


- effects of the drug
- ease of availability
- legal status
- physical dependence​



​Person


- dissatisfaction with performance and progress
- psychological dependence
- desire to cope with anxiety or stress
- desire to relax/socialise
- values - using drugs may not be considered a problem
- belief that others are using drugs
- temptation to think they can get away with it
- problem of being easily influenced by others
- lack of knowledge about side effects
- lack of confidence​



​Environment


- friends or other athletes using drugs
- culture of the sport
- pressure to win from coach, parents, public, media
- financial reward
- prestige and fame
- advertising
- influence of role models
- unrealistic qualifying standards or performance expectations
- national pride​



SPECIFIC PRESSURES:



Self



The basic desire to be successful and satisfy ego requirements is a major source of internal pressure. Problems such as self doubt, lack of confidence, nervousness, stress and depression are common to all athletes.



Coach



A successful athlete is often associated with a successful coach. As a result, the coach may place direct pressure on an athlete to perform and may be the source of further internal pressure.



Peer



Competitors set the standards to which an athlete must perform. If an athlete believes that a competitor has obtained some kind of advantage, then the pressure to also have or use this advantage is significant, for example, a better designed golf club, a lighter running shoe or the use of steroids. Similar peer group pressure may come from team mates.



Family



The expectations of family and friends are often a source of pressure, particularly at the lower levels of competition. Previously successful family members may also create pressure.

Spectators/crowd



Spectators create a great source of pressure both at the elite and lower levels of competition. At the elite level, athletes are often adopted as role models and will often take the hopes and aspirations of thousands of fans into competition.



Spectators are also the source of money and applause, hence the athlete may feel pressure to perform to standards expected by the public. The fickle nature of public support also creates pressure. Generally, we all love a winner and often adopt a 'win at all costs' mentality.



At the lower level of competition the presence of spectators may increase the anxiety levels of athletes. This may affect an athlete's performance and in due course influence an athlete's behaviour.



Media



The media plays an important role in shaping the opinions and attitudes of the general public. How the media portrays an athlete, and how they report on an athlete's performance, cannot only influence the public but the athlete as well.



Administrators/promoters



Unreasonable scheduling of competitions and the establishment of unrealistic performance standards are ways in which sports administrators may contribute to the pressures on athletes. Similarly, promoters of sports events usually demand a high standard of performance from athletes to enhance the credibility and the promotional qualities of events which they sponsor.



Social



Pressure for sporting success may also be the result of social incentives to achieve. The glory and recognition for sporting achievements is a strong motivator towards success. Sporting success may provide an athlete with greater access and mobility to other social groups, that is, successful athletes are usually given the opportunity to meet and mix with people outside their usual social group, such as politicians and media personalities.



Financial and material rewards



Financial and material rewards are major influences on athletes and sporting performance. Sport, which was once an activity to fill in leisure time, has now become a way to earn a living for some of our elite athletes. In recent times people have commented that money-making principles have begun to replace athletes' moral principles.



Enormous salaries, product endorsements and potential careers outside of the sporting field are some of the rewards available to the successful athlete. Rewards are also available to athletes at lower levels of competition and to those in amateur sport. Even at junior levels, inducements such as scholarships are a significant incentive, and can increase the pressure to achieve.



National/political/ideological



Successful athletes at the highest level are sometimes elevated to the position of hero and carry the pressures of national honour and pride with them. Countries also use their athletes as political weapons. In international competition, one country's sporting successes over another country are often viewed as proof of ideological or national superiority. Such is the case in the Olympic games, where enormous emphasis is placed on the number of gold medals won by a country, with even greater pressure being placed on the host country.



Factors such as an athlete's desire to win, the desire to please their coach and family, the glory of victory and the social and economic reward of sporting success often send the athlete in search of a competitive edge. Sometimes this search leads to the use of drugs.



CONCLUSION



Modern sports and the media's misplaced fixation on fame, fortune and winning at all costs have unintentionally created a growing market for doping substances. These substances, once only abused by elite athletes, are clearly spreading fast.

Professional athletes must serve as role models and spokesmen for drug-free sport and lifestyle. This position must be actively supported by the media, owners of teams and international sports federations by providing consistent leadership and advocacy of anti-doping programs in sport, regardless of costs and consequences. Accepting the magnitude of doping in at-risk populations and developing education, prevention and treatment programs is the only prevention that can be done to stop the continuing spread of the abuse of doping in sport.