What is it about ?
By “doping” is meant prohibited substances and methods for improve sports performance.
It is not necessary to use prohibited substances to violate the anti-doping rules. You risk a sanction even if you do not use doping substances, and even if you are not an athlete.
Doping practices
Here are some examples of doping practices:
- refuse to submit to doping control;
- not showing up for an inspection without a valid reason;
- dodge a doping control;
- be in possession of a prohibited substance or method, even if you do not intend to use it;
- collaborate with people convicted of doping practices;
- not providing precise information relating to your comings and goings on time.
When you resort to doping, you are circumventing the right to clean, honest and fair sport and you are denying the ethical principles of sport and medicine.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) determines which substances or methods fall within the scope of anti-doping regulations. WADA publishes a list of doping products, which it constantly updates.
Certain drugs are only prohibited in certain sports (for example, sports shooting) and with certain modes of administration.
Prohibited substances
Here are some examples of prohibited substances:
- medication, such as amphetamines;
- hormones, such as anabolic steroids ;
- products capable of masking prohibited substances, such as diuretics.
The complete list of prohibited substances can be found on the website of theNADO orAMA.
Some products are legally available from pharmacies and are used to treat certain conditions. But they are considered doping products as soon as you use them, consciously or unconsciously, to improve sports performance.
Prohibited methods
Prohibited methods include:
- blood transfusions ;
- ozone therapy ;
- genetic manipulation that can increase muscle volume or improve endurance.
On the other hand, training in oxygen hyperbaric chamber is authorized.
What is its frequency?
In 2019, 1.8% of athletes tested in the Flemish Region were convicted of doping (“positive doping control”). The number of athletes who test positive for doping varies from year to year. But the general trend marks a net decrease in the proportion of offenders since 20141.
In 2019, a total of 1,893 checks were carried out.
- In competition, 1,103 tests were carried out and 12 doping cases were detected.
- The percentage of anti-doping rule violations in competition was therefore 1.1%.
- Out of competition, 790 controls were carried out and 23 cases of doping were detected.
- This corresponds to 2.9% of violations.
- Of these 23 violations, 22 were observed during checks carried out during physical training1.
What does a doping control involve?
The control of the use of doping is the responsibility of the national anti-doping organizations. These can carry out doping controls during any athletic event organized (in competition).
They can also perform random testing during the preparation season (out of competition). These tests are used to detect the use ofmuscle building hormones (anabolic), growth hormone and EPO.
Noticing doping
a urine or blood sample or one biological passport abnormal may demonstrate the presence of a prohibited substance or method. This type of finding is called “positive doping control”.
Fraud
The use of a mechanical assistance prohibited, such as a motor built into a bicycle, is not doping, but fraud. Another body is responsible for controlling sports equipment.
What drugs can an athlete use?
An athlete who suddenly becomes seriously ill must naturally be able to take the appropriate medication, regardless of anti-doping regulations. Sometimes the attending physician is forced to prescribe a drug that is on the prohibited list. In this case, however, it must prohibit the athlete from participating in competitions until the medicine is completely gone from his body and urine.
Report medication use
From the moment he takes part in a competition, every athlete must, even if he is in good health, must declare the medications he has taken in the past month. Including if these drugs are not included on the list of prohibited substances. It can be the following products:
- painkillers;
- allergy medications;
- contraceptive pills;
- cold products;
- …
Athletes are advised to do not use food supplements or homeopathic preparations. Their composition may vary and they may contain prohibited substances.
Authorization due to therapeutic need
An athlete who suffers from chronic condition may be allowed to use a prohibited product for medical reasons. Some examples :
- insulin to treat diabetes ;
- some inhalers to treat asthma and exercise asthma.
The athlete receives a authorisation national anti-doping organizations for national events and international sports federations for international events. The ban on this specific product will therefore be lifted. This is called a AUT, or “Authorization of Use for Therapeutic Purposes”. It is therefore not enough to have a doctor’s prescription.
Penalties for doping
Who can be sanctioned?
- Anyone convinced of doping practices is sanctioned in accordance with the rules of international sports federations.
- The doctors, coaches and staff members who brought their competition to doping practices can also be sanctioned.
- This also applies to people involved in smuggling, insider trading and distribution doping products.
What are the possible sanctions?
- a prohibition to participate in sporting activities for a specified period;
- a fine;
- payment of procedural costs.
What are the factors that determine the sanction?
- the type of violation ;
- the extent to which the athlete is personally responsible doping;
- the fact that it isa first violation or a recurrence.