Doping in sport: an interdisciplinary study of its management and prevention.

Abstract

This thesis addresses aspects of two key fields of research. One component addresses the areas of medicine and science, whilst the second addresses the areas of law and policy. This research contributes new results regarding effects of doping on sport achievements, the widespread nature of doping and offers new ideas to the area of anti-doping, anti-doping policy and law, and to the greater sporting arena. It firstly demonstrates that doping is far more widespread than official results would have one think. Doping is not confined to a limited few individuals, rather it is a widespread major problem in a number of sports throughout the world. It furthermore demonstrates that summer sports appear to have a greater problem with doping than winter sports. Next, it shows that current anti-doping testing and detection systems are inefficient and ineffective. The current system is structured such that a single test will, in most cases, not detect a doped athlete. Moreover, in order for the current system to be effective, testing and funding would need to be increased to such a level as to make anti-doping, and sports in general, economically unfeasible. This thesis also shows that in order to combat doping (given the realities of the sporting arena and the findings of the papers) there are a few different approaches which could be taken to change the laws and policies; firstly, a restructuring of how sports are promoted and more specifically how they are seen by spectators. This view focuses on sports being an entertainment medium. This may benefit in reducing or removing doping issues. The role sport plays in modern society is such that it often conflicts with many of the ideals in modern society. Finally, as has been demonstrated by many doping scandals of late and the realities of doping cases, that multiple individuals are often involved in such cases not just the doped athlete. As such, this thesis proposes a series of policy changes to expand the responsibility and liability for doping infringements.