antidoping

Anti-Doping refers to organized efforts to detect, deter, and prevent the use of performance-enhancing drugs and methods in sport. Its aim is to protect the health of athletes, ensure fair competition, and preserve the integrity of sport. Global governance centers on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), created in 1999, which coordinates international standards and collaborates with national anti-doping organizations (NADOs) and international federations (IFs). National bodies enforce rules within their jurisdictions; IFs regulate sport-specific rules and sanctions.

A core element is the Prohibited List, updated annually, which enumerates substances and methods banned in- and out-of-competition. Testing programs include urine and blood sampling, conducted by trained collectors, with samples analyzed in WADA-accredited laboratories. Athletes may also be subject to whereabouts requirements to facilitate testing. An Adverse Analytical Finding or evidence of non-compliance triggers a results-management process, including investigation, hearings, and potential sanctions. Common sanctions include suspensions; penalties are guided by the World Anti-Doping Code and may depend on substance, context, and intent. Athletes may seek a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for legitimate medical needs.

Education and research form additional pillars, addressing prevention, detection technology, and the ethics of doping control. The system also encompasses dispute resolution mechanisms, such as appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. While anti-doping has advanced significantly, it remains subject to ongoing debate about privacy, due process, and the balance between athlete rights and testing rigor.