borrowed from a colleague a few years ago. unsure of the source

1. Sport and DrugsSport and Drugs
Lecture 8 Chp 6Lecture 8 Chp 6
Coakley, 8th EdCoakley, 8th Ed
““Statements by Olympic insiders claim that it is rare for anyone toStatements by Olympic insiders claim that it is rare for anyone to
win gold medals without taking performance enhancingwin gold medals without taking performance enhancing
substances” (Coakley, 2004, p. 160)substances” (Coakley, 2004, p. 160)
In a US survey, Olympic athletes were asked if they'd take illegalIn a US survey, Olympic athletes were asked if they'd take illegal
drugs - providing winning was guaranteed and that they'd getdrugs - providing winning was guaranteed and that they'd get
away with it - 99% said yes to cheating.away with it - 99% said yes to cheating.
And if the drug gave them five years at the top and then killedAnd if the drug gave them five years at the top and then killed
them half said they'd still take it.them half said they'd still take it. (ABC-Lateline, 1998-Based on(ABC-Lateline, 1998-Based on
Goldman’s Poll of 198 athletes)Goldman’s Poll of 198 athletes)

2.  Drug and substance use in sports has had a longDrug and substance use in sports has had a long
historyhistory
 It has become commonplace to the point whereIt has become commonplace to the point where
reports in the media of athletes being “caught” are noreports in the media of athletes being “caught” are no
longer shockinglonger shocking
 The use of performance enhancing substances isThe use of performance enhancing substances is
argued to occurargued to occur regularlyregularly in high performance sportsin high performance sports
 Use is arguably filtering down to junior sportUse is arguably filtering down to junior sport
 Such substances will be used as long as athletesSuch substances will be used as long as athletes believebelieve
they will enhance performancethey will enhance performance

3. QuickTime™ and a Cinepak decompressor are needed to see this picture.

4. HistoricallyHistorically
 Athletes have taken a wide variety of everyday andAthletes have taken a wide variety of everyday and
exotic substances over the years….exotic substances over the years….and substance use is notand substance use is not
just limited to elite athletesjust limited to elite athletes
 While the lure of financial gain is perceived by manyWhile the lure of financial gain is perceived by many
as a motivator for athletes to take drugs it has beenas a motivator for athletes to take drugs it has been
identified that athletes throughout history have takenidentified that athletes throughout history have taken
drugs for no financial gaindrugs for no financial gain

5.  300 BC the Greeks ate “substances” to improve athletic300 BC the Greeks ate “substances” to improve athletic
performance including Hallucinogenic mushrooms, sesameperformance including Hallucinogenic mushrooms, sesame
seeds and animal proteinseeds and animal protein
 1890 concoctions of strychnine and wine used in sports1890 concoctions of strychnine and wine used in sports
 1935 Testosterone Synthesized1935 Testosterone Synthesized
 1960s Amphetamines used in cycling-causing death of several1960s Amphetamines used in cycling-causing death of several
cyclistscyclists
 1970s systematic drug program by German Democratic1970s systematic drug program by German Democratic
RepublicRepublic (GDR- East Germany)(GDR- East Germany) - many athletes given drugs without- many athletes given drugs without
knowledge or consentknowledge or consent
 1980s Blood doping1980s Blood doping (Reinfusion)(Reinfusion) heavily usedheavily used
 Note: LA Olympics many athletes tested positive for anabolicNote: LA Olympics many athletes tested positive for anabolic
steroids, some (9) positives disappeared from the laboratorysteroids, some (9) positives disappeared from the laboratory
 1990s and beyond EPO, HGH and Beta blockers1990s and beyond EPO, HGH and Beta blockers (slow down heart(slow down heart
rate),rate), although steroids remain prevalentalthough steroids remain prevalent

6. Drug use as a form of devianceDrug use as a form of deviance
 Using drugs in society as well as drugs in sports is aUsing drugs in society as well as drugs in sports is a
form of devianceform of deviance ie a shift from the societal and sporting “norm”ie a shift from the societal and sporting “norm”
 As in society we have created ideals around whichAs in society we have created ideals around which
athletes must conform and those who do not areathletes must conform and those who do not are
regarded as displaying deviant behaviourregarded as displaying deviant behaviour
 The use of performance-enhancing substances is saidThe use of performance-enhancing substances is said
to be a deviant overconformity in sportsto be a deviant overconformity in sports

7. However, we must considerHowever, we must consider
 Performance-enhancing Vs recreational drugsPerformance-enhancing Vs recreational drugs
 Elite Vs recreational sportElite Vs recreational sport
 Adult Vs adolescent/minor useAdult Vs adolescent/minor use
 Sport by sportSport by sport (including subcultural contexts)(including subcultural contexts)
These different cases and populations may present theThese different cases and populations may present the
need for different sorts of argumentsneed for different sorts of arguments (do surfing contests(do surfing contests
test for marijuana?)test for marijuana?)
No universals in ethicsNo universals in ethics

8. Why use drugs in sport?Why use drugs in sport?
The argument is:The argument is:
 Have to use them to be competitiveHave to use them to be competitive
 Need the edgeNeed the edge
 Not genetically giftedNot genetically gifted
 Dissatisfaction with size/weightDissatisfaction with size/weight
 Peer/Team PressurePeer/Team Pressure
 However, it is important to remember that the use ofHowever, it is important to remember that the use of
performance-enhancing substances is not a new thing in sportsperformance-enhancing substances is not a new thing in sports
despite continued antidoping regulations and drug testing-despite continued antidoping regulations and drug testing-
policiespolicies

9. Defining and Banning Performance-Defining and Banning Performance-
Enhancing SubstancesEnhancing Substances

10.  Defining performance-enhancing substances is difficultDefining performance-enhancing substances is difficult
 They can include aspirin to heroin, steroids to human growthThey can include aspirin to heroin, steroids to human growth
hormonehormone
 They may be:They may be:
 Legal or illegalLegal or illegal
 Harmless or dangerousHarmless or dangerous
 Natural or syntheticNatural or synthetic
 Socially acceptable or unacceptableSocially acceptable or unacceptable
 Commonly used or exoticCommonly used or exotic
 …….and then what about blood doping, IV drips, hyperbaric.and then what about blood doping, IV drips, hyperbaric
chambers, local anaesthetic?chambers, local anaesthetic?

11. International Olympic CommitteeInternational Olympic Committee
DefinitionDefinition (until 1999)(until 1999)
Doping is the administration of or use by a competingDoping is the administration of or use by a competing
athlete of any substanceathlete of any substance foreignforeign to the body or anyto the body or any
physiological substancephysiological substance taken intaken in abnormalabnormal quantityquantity oror
taken by antaken by an abnormal routeabnormal route of entryof entry into the body withinto the body with
thethe sole intentionsole intention of increasing in anof increasing in an artificialartificial andand unfairunfair
manner his/her performance in competition. Whenmanner his/her performance in competition. When
necessity demandsnecessity demands medicalmedical treatmenttreatment with anywith any
substance that, because of its nature, or application, issubstance that, because of its nature, or application, is
able to to boost the athlete’s performance inable to to boost the athlete’s performance in
competition in an artificial and unfair manner, this toocompetition in an artificial and unfair manner, this too
is regarded by the IOC as doping.is regarded by the IOC as doping.

12. Some Problems with DefinitionsSome Problems with Definitions
 The IOC had difficulty in defining all terms in Italics such asThe IOC had difficulty in defining all terms in Italics such as
the word “foreign”the word “foreign”
 What are foreign substances to the body?What are foreign substances to the body?
 Why are foreign substances such as aspirin and ibuprofen NOTWhy are foreign substances such as aspirin and ibuprofen NOT
banned?banned?
 Why is the “natural” hormone testosterone banned?Why is the “natural” hormone testosterone banned?
 What is an abnormal quantity and abnormal route of entryWhat is an abnormal quantity and abnormal route of entry
 Why are megadoses of vitamins allowed?Why are megadoses of vitamins allowed?
 Why can athletes be stripped of medals for taking medicationsWhy can athletes be stripped of medals for taking medications
without intending to improve performance and yet otherwithout intending to improve performance and yet other
athletes can be legally rehydrated using IV drips?athletes can be legally rehydrated using IV drips?

13. New IOC drug codeNew IOC drug code (from 1999)(from 1999)
(1) The use of an expedient (substance or method)(1) The use of an expedient (substance or method)
which is potentially harmful to athletes’ healthwhich is potentially harmful to athletes’ health
and/or capable of enhancing their performance or (2)and/or capable of enhancing their performance or (2)
the presence in the athlete’s body Prohibitedthe presence in the athlete’s body Prohibited
Substance or evidence of the use thereof or evidenceSubstance or evidence of the use thereof or evidence
of the use of a Prohibited Methodof the use of a Prohibited Method
Note: However, this definition is also open to debateNote: However, this definition is also open to debate

14. Some philosophical questionsSome philosophical questions
 Why do many athletes see the use of drugs as a noble act ofWhy do many athletes see the use of drugs as a noble act of
commitment and dedication, whereas many spectators see it ascommitment and dedication, whereas many spectators see it as
a reprehensible act of deviance yet pay big money to watcha reprehensible act of deviance yet pay big money to watch
athletes do superhuman things requiring extreme trainingathletes do superhuman things requiring extreme training
regimes and strategies made possible by drugs? (Coakley, 2004)regimes and strategies made possible by drugs? (Coakley, 2004)
 What is artificial, foreign, fair, normal, abnormal, right, wrong,What is artificial, foreign, fair, normal, abnormal, right, wrong,
moral, ethical regarding drugs and sports?moral, ethical regarding drugs and sports?
 These are questions that lead to endless debateThese are questions that lead to endless debate
 Do we make all drugs legal?….Is that fair?Do we make all drugs legal?….Is that fair?
 If a fifty year old man takes HGH to remain on the job on aIf a fifty year old man takes HGH to remain on the job on a
construction site why can’t his 25 year old professional footballconstruction site why can’t his 25 year old professional football
son do the same if he is injured?son do the same if he is injured?

15.  Every six months the list of banned substances isEvery six months the list of banned substances is
updated and grows longerupdated and grows longer
 However, it should be noted that physicians,However, it should be noted that physicians,
pharmacists, chemists, scientists and athlete’s are onepharmacists, chemists, scientists and athlete’s are one
step ahead of the drug testing proceduresstep ahead of the drug testing procedures
 Then, what about genetic engineering to improveThen, what about genetic engineering to improve
athletic performance?athletic performance?
 Drugs only become part of the issue as athletes’ bodiesDrugs only become part of the issue as athletes’ bodies
are manipulated and structurally and functionallyare manipulated and structurally and functionally
modifiedmodified

16. Drug TestingDrug Testing
 Powerful arguments for and againstPowerful arguments for and against
AGAINST:AGAINST:
Drug testing asDrug testing as hopelesshopeless,, unjustunjust,, or aor a failurefailure
 Cat-and-mouse game is ridiculousCat-and-mouse game is ridiculous
 Genetic engineering may not be really testableGenetic engineering may not be really testable
 Invasion of privacy, especially in case of recreational drugsInvasion of privacy, especially in case of recreational drugs
 People in power have right to police our private lives! (paternalism)People in power have right to police our private lives! (paternalism)
 Different policies between sportsDifferent policies between sports

17. Drug TestingDrug Testing
FOR:FOR:
 Performance enhancing substances allow athletes to goPerformance enhancing substances allow athletes to go
beyond their “natural” abilitiesbeyond their “natural” abilities
 Gives people who use themGives people who use them unfair advantageunfair advantage
 Drug use threatens the health and well-being ofDrug use threatens the health and well-being of
athletesathletes
 Undermines the purity of athletics/sportsUndermines the purity of athletics/sports

18. SolutionsSolutions
 Critically examine the hypocrisy in elite sportsCritically examine the hypocrisy in elite sports
 Establish rules indicating that risks to health are undesirableEstablish rules indicating that risks to health are undesirable
and unnecessary in sportsand unnecessary in sports
 Establish rules stating that injured athletes must beEstablish rules stating that injured athletes must be
independently certified as “well” before they playindependently certified as “well” before they play
 Educate definitions of courage and discipline that promoteEducate definitions of courage and discipline that promote
healthhealth
 Make drug education part of health educationMake drug education part of health education
Create norms regulating use of technologyCreate norms regulating use of technology
Critically examine values and norms in sportsCritically examine values and norms in sports
Teach athletes to think criticallyTeach athletes to think critically
Provide accurate and current informationProvide accurate and current information