Doping

Doping refers to the use of prohibited drugs or methods in order to improve training and sporting results. Examples of prohibited drugs are steroids, stimulants, hormones, diuretics, narcotics and marijuana.

The pursuit of human excellence through dedication and perfection of an individual’s natural talents is the essence of sporting events or the “spirit of sport”. Doping goes against this spirit. Doping puts athletes at an unfair advantage, and ruins the fairness of sport. For this reason, doping is considered a form of cheating, and is thus illegal. As a result, rules and regulations have been made to both prevent and catch athlete doping. For example, athletes can be randomly subjected to doping tests at any time and place, during competitive or training season. Doping control officers send sample requests to athletes and then they must then provide the requested urine or blood sample in a sealed collection vessel. Because blood collection is an invasive method, urine sampling is preferable.