Doped Up and Ready to Win. Maybe

It appears that doping is becoming more and more important in modem sports, or at least the mtmber of athletes sanctioned for doping violations and the time devoted by the international media to these cases are on the rise. In a few high-profile cases, however, doubts also surface about the scientific background of prohibiting certain substances or the reliability of the methods used to detect them. 

Improving someone s sports results is by no means prohibited in general. Its most conventional method is called training (what a surprise ). In addition, there are a few natural or artificial substances, which may have positive effects without being banned. The use of vitamins, great quantities of special energy drinks or special protein concentrates as dietary supplements is allowed. 

The use of the substances on the list is harmed for two major reasons. The first is to provide the conditions of fair play. This is a very naive and idealistic thought. Does a Jamaican bobsleigh team has the same opportunities as its counterpart in Switzerland Another, and more down-to-earth reason is the protection of the health of athletes. A cortunon property of the prohibited substances is that their use involves substantial health risks. Doping agents usually art, if they act at all, by mobilizing the reserves of the human body. The body of a trained athlete can do this without the doping agent, so any further mobilization is at the expense of health. 

Extreme believers in human rights may even say that every individual can risk his or her own life as he or she wishes. 

There is only a single group of substanees whieh have a proven sports performance enhancing effect these are the anabohc steroids. It is no small irony that the by-product of the former East German doping industiy provides unquestioned evidence. 

---