DOPING IN SPORTS- A REVIEW

Abstract

The fight against doping in sports started as a result of the death of a Danish cyclist during the Rome Olympic Games in 1960 but progress was modest until the world’s best male sprinter was found doped with anabolic steroids at the Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988. Further progress was made following the cessation of the cold war in 1989 and in 1999 public authorities around the world joined the Olympic Movement in a unique partnership by creating WADA – the ‘World Anti-Doping Agency’. Despite intense efforts by sporting bodies and the medical professionals to eliminate the problem, drug taking to enhance sport performance remains widespread. No player should gain an unfair advantage over other players by using an unethical substance or method. The use of drugs may also be extremely dangerous to the health of players. Drug testing programs have been established by amateur and professional sports authorities to promote a safe and fair competitive environment. In the present review the various agents and the reasons why they are used is reviewed along with the history of doping.

Keywords: Doping, drug abuse, performance enhancement, sports.