Doping in Sports

Overview

The first organized doping controls were carried out in the 1970s. In 1993, the Czech Antidoping Charter wassigned and the Antidoping Committee was established. The medical commission of International Olympic Committeedecides, which substances and methods are prohibited. The current classification is as follows: I. prohibited classesof substances - stimulants, narcotics, anabolic agents, diuretics and some hormones. II. prohibited methods - blooddoping and pharmaceutical, chemical or physical manipulation. III. classes of drugs subject to certain restrictions -alcohol, marijuana, local anesthetics, corticosteroids and beta blockers. All substances are characterized from theergogenic viewpoint and health risks are particularly emphasized.In practice, doping control starts by drawing the athletes and ends by urine sample analysis in a special laboratory.In case of positive results, the sportsman is banned from sports activity for 3 months, 2 years or for the rest of hislife. In 24 worldwide laboratories in 1995 93 938 urine samples were analyzed. 1516 (1.61 %) proved to be positive,including 986 anabolic steroid use. In 1997, the Czech laboratory carried out 843 checks, of which 15 (1.7 %) werepositive. The largest positive doping group were body builders. Doping poses a major risk among junior sportsmen.Prevalence worldwide is estimated at 2 - 10 % of the male population. In the future a severe antidoping attitude, aswell as antidoping enlightment, are certain to continue. By these standards the activity of the Czech AntidopingCommittee is on a very high level.

Key words:
doping, health risks, controls, sanctions, anabolic steroids.