Recently, the sports community has begun to be shaken by new doping scandals. Research conducted after the confession of the famous cyclist Lance Armstrong shows that the use of doping substances is common in many sports. The fact that doping substances were found in a foreign player of a professional basketball team in our country and doping was detected in 5 of our national weightlifters must be proof that we, as a country, are not far from this issue.
Although the inspections are very strict and the penalties are severe, the most important reason why athletes are involved in this business is success. Despite all this, let's examine what the police-thief game that has been going on for years is and why it is prohibited.
Doping is the conscious or unconscious intake of prohibited substances and the application of methods in order to artificially increase sports performance.
Why is doping prohibited in sports?
Doping is against sports ethics. Because it creates an unfair competitive environment. It prevents athletes from competing under equal conditions. In addition, it can harm the athlete's health in the short and long term. Some substances can even cause sudden death during sports. Therefore, it is against sports ethics. It is also banned by many international federations. Therefore, it is also against sports law. All these factors make the use of doping substances and the application of methods prohibited.
Which substances are prohibited?
In the recently published lists, stimulants, narcotic analgesics, anabolic agents, peptide hormones, growth factors. and related factors, beta-2 agonists, hormones and metabolic regulators, diuretics and masking factors are grouped under the main heading as substances containing doping. Methods involving doping include the use of blood and blood products, chemical and physical manipulation, and gene doping. Apart from this, while some substances are allowed to be used outside the competition, some substances are prohibited. An example of these is pseudoephedrine, which is found in some cold medications. A detailed list on this subject can be seen on the website of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Can we lose our health while aiming for success? Or is it worth risking our health for success? All these questions Let's try to answer it after examining the effects of doping substances on athlete health. Medicines containing prohibited substances remain in the human body for a certain period of time when taken. The side effects of the drug vary depending on this period. For example, stimulants affect the organism even for a short time. It can especially affect the heart and nervous system, and serious side effects such as extreme nervousness, palpitations and heart rhythm disturbances can be observed. Some stimulants can be addictive and can become a serious problem in the athlete's future life. Serious side effects such as liver cancer, testicular tumors, infertility and heart attack are observed in those who use testosterone and similar hormones.
It is especially seen in young athletes due to the use of banned substances, wannabes and high expectations. It is the responsibility of the athlete's family, managers and team medical teams, especially the coaches, to prevent this. Ultimately, athletes are responsible for all the substances they use. Unconscious drug use can be the end of your sports life or, more importantly, your life. Keep this in mind when using medications that are passed around.
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