Consequences of doping
The spirit of sport is expressed in how we play true. Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport. Doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the anti-doping rule violations set forth in Article 2.1 through Article 2.11 of Qatar Anti-Doping rules.
Consequences of Doping can be physical and mental health, social and economic effects, and sanctions.
Physical and Mental Health consequences
Medications are for people with specific health issues – not for healthy athletes. These medications are not approved to be used by healthy people, in higher doses nor in combination with other substances. Taking them when your body doesn’t need them can cause serious damage to your body and destroy your athletic career. Some banned substances which athletes have also used are not medications.
Some physiological and psychological side effects of anabolic steroid include Liver Damage, Premature closure of the growth centers of long bones (in adolescents) which may result in stunted growth
Increased aggressiveness and sexual appetite, sometimes resulting in abnormal sexual and criminal behavior, often associated with depression, and in some cases, suicide. Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators may cause organ failures. Human growth hormones can cause Hypertension, Heart attacks, Thyroid problems, Severe headaches, Loss of vision, Acromegaly (Protruding or enlarged jaw, brow, skull, hands and feet),High blood pressure and heart failure, Diabetes and tumors, Crippling arthritis. Blood doping can cause Increased stress on the heart, Blood clotting, Strokes, Heart attacks, Pulmonary embolism. Stimulants can cause Insomnia, Anxiety, Weight Loss , Dependence and addiction, Dehydration, Tremors, Increased heart rate and blood pressure, Increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and cardiac arrhythmia
Social and Economic consequences
- Loss of sponsorship deals
- Loss of income
- Athlete and or teammates may be stripped of previous achievements
- Damage to future career prospects
- Isolation from peers and sport
- Damaged relationships with friends and family
- Effects on emotional and psychological well-being
- Permanent damage to reputation from bad media publicity which can lead to public contempt
- Loss of standing, respect and credibility and lastly
- Pressure placed on athlete as well as persons close to athlete e.g. family members and support personnel
Sanctions
For Anti-Doping Rule Violations of presence or use of a prohibited substance, the basic rules are as follows:
If you intended to cheat, whatever the substance, the period of ineligibility is four years
Otherwise, it is two years – unless you can show you had no significant fault or negligence, in which case ineligibility may be reduced by up to a maximum of one year (that is, to a minimum ineligibility of one year)
If the violation involved a specified substance or a contaminated product, and you can demonstrate you had no significant fault, ineligibility may range from two years to a reprimand (depending on your level of fault)
If you can show you had no fault or negligence, the period of ineligibility may be eliminated entirely, resulting in no ban from sport
You should also be aware that multiple Anti-Doping Rule Violations, or the presence of multiple substances may increase the sanction you face beyond four years.
For some Anti-Doping Rule Violations, the penalty can be a life ban from sport.