What is doping?
Doping word is actually obtained from
word ‘dop’, an alcoholic drink used as stimulant in 18th century in
south America. It refers to intake of some special drugs that when consumed
enhances performance of a person by either forming more muscles or by
decreasing muscle fatigue. Doping is widely performed practice by many athletes for enhancing
their performance in sports in one way or the other.
History:
The use of drugs is very ancient
leading back to the time of very invention of concepts of sports. There have
been many evidences that show the use of drugs was prominent even during those
times. The ancient Olympics in Greece are considered to be heavily affected
with doping.
Types of drugs:
The drugs that are considered as
performance enhancers are mainly anabolic steroids may also be called as
synthetic version of male sex hormone testosterone that allows athletes to
train harder, build more muscles and undergo recovery pretty quickly. These
steroids are generally used to induce bone growth, stimulate appetite and also
induce male puberty but due to their property of increasing muscle mass and physical
strength they are widely being used by athletes illegally.
According to
World anti doping agency (WADA), stimulants are the second largest class of
drugs to be used in doping. These drugs or stimulants mainly affects the
Central Nervous System to modulate behavior causing a greater sense of
excitement and reduced sense of fatigue. The well known stimulants include caffeine,
cocaine, ephedrine etc.
Unethical:
The use of these drugs to stimulate performance is considered
unethical because the increased muscles or physical mass is not build up naturally
but artificially which is for obvious reason is unethical. Although there are
many firm believers who stand with the use of these drugs and considers it
completely ethical and legitimate.
Why illegal:
Uses of these drugs are considered illegal as the contained
steroids and stimulants are very harmful for the body. Although they increase
the performance of an individual but badly affect the metabolism of the body
leading to various disorders of liver, kidneys and digestive system. Regular
use of these steroids may affect central nervous system badly and results may vary
from mere aggression to even suicide in some cases.
Side effects:
These drugs have loads of side effects if taken in excess or
taken regularly. The effects may range from acne, abnormalities in liver
functioning, baldness in males, irregularities in menstrual cycle in females to
impotency and even premature closing of epiphysis (in females).
Who checks it?
Although the drugs are being used in sports from ancient
times but the regularity and severity has increased many folds in recent times.
Even the well established names in sports have been found guilty of using the
drugs. So to counteract these problems in sports, in 1991 an independent
international agency named World anti doping agency (WADA) funded by sports
authorities and many associated countries came into existence. There are some
norms made by WADA called WADA Codes. The WADA Code or simply the Code is a document aiming to harmonize
anti-doping regulations in all sports and across countries. It has been adopted
by over 600 sports organizations.
Threat to sports:
As the extent of doping in sports has increased many folds
just recently reaching to almost all counties and sports the interest of
audience in sports has also decreased. As Olympics are approaching, there have
been a number of cases registered in many countries regarding doping already.
There have been various surveys recently showing the interest in Olympics has already
been reduced considerably. If not controlled properly it may make the situation
even worse as representing one’s country in Olympics or for that matter in any
sports is a matter of pride and one should not disgrace the moment.
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