Consequences of Doping
Doping can be defined as committing one or more of the following anti-doping rule violations according to WADA’s ADRVs:
- Positive test or presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample.
- Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method
- Evading, Refusing, or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection by an Athlete.
- Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking in any Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method by an Athlete.
- Administration or Attempted Administration by an Athlete or Other Person to any Athlete In-Competition of any Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method.
- Complicity or Attempted Complicity by an Athlete or Other Person.
- Acts by an Athlete or Other Person to Discourage or Retaliate Against Reporting to Authorities.
- Tamper with any aspect of the doping control process.
- Possession of prohibited substances or methods.
- Encouragement or assessment of someone using or concealing dope.
- Associate with someone (in a sport-related capacity) who is serving a ban for an ADRV.
Sanctions
The Anti-Doping Rules provide for the following sanctions where an ADRV has been committed:
- A period of ineligibility ranging from a warning to a lifetime ban – from all game titles.
- Loss of medals, prize and disqualification of results from the touranamet where the sample was taken (and any competition results following that competition).
- Public disclosure of the athlete’s name and the details of the ADRV.
There may be further consequences if the athlete is part of a team, the consequences may influence the other team members including the loss of medals or competition points, disqualification from an event, or other sanctions imposed.
Physical & Mental Health
The use of banned substances or techniques to boost performance poses a significant risk to an athlete’s physical and mental well-being. The specific substance and its method of use can result in serious side effects, potentially leading to long-term health issues and/or permanent physiological harm. Scientific research has proven the link between mental health and performance-enhancing drugs and such can be: anxiety, depression, chronic illness, etc.
Reputational & Social Consequences
The Anti-Doping Rules mandate that Adverse Analytical Findings (ADRVs) are disclosed to the public unless exceptional circumstances exist. This disclosure can result in embarrassment, shame, media attacks, social isolation, and the loss of the athlete’s admiration by the audience and community. Family members and other supporters who have been there for the athlete throughout their career will be let down. Friendships and professional relationships may be affected.
Financial
An ADRV can also have financial impacts, for example:
- Loss of prize money
- Financial penalties
- Loss of sponsorship, endorsements, and other contracts
- Loss of funding support from the sports organization and/or the government
- Loss of funding support from the government
