Drugs in Sport… Mr. P. Leighton Contemporary Sporting Issues Socio-Cultural Studies

Today’s Session… Understand the reasons and consequences of drugs in sport. Understand the reasons and consequences of drugs in sport. Discuss the possible solutions of drugs in sport. Discuss the possible solutions of drugs in sport. Look at some case studies of drugs in sport. Look at some case studies of drugs in sport. Review some of the technological advances in sport and how they have impacted performance. Review some of the technological advances in sport and how they have impacted performance.

Drugs at the Olympics… “In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games without doping and without drugs in the true spirit of sportsmanship” Not all Olympians, or sportsmen or women keep their promises. Not all Olympians, or sportsmen or women keep their promises. At the Athens Olympics 23 different athletes committed drugs offences- the most ever (to date) At the Athens Olympics 23 different athletes committed drugs offences- the most ever (to date) There is a covert, systematic and multi-million pound industry driven solely to enable sports men and women to illegally enhance their performance. There is a covert, systematic and multi-million pound industry driven solely to enable sports men and women to illegally enhance their performance. Penalties are generally outweighed by the benefits and it is only now that authorities are getting tough on cheats. Penalties are generally outweighed by the benefits and it is only now that authorities are getting tough on cheats.

USA, The Olympics and Doping… Stripped of their medals 10 years after they won them on the world stage. Stripped of their medals 10 years after they won them on the world stage. Antonio Pettigrew admitted he was taking HGH at the time. Antonio Pettigrew admitted he was taking HGH at the time. Michael Johnson gave his back stating he felt “Cheated, betrayed and let down” by his team mate. Michael Johnson gave his back stating he felt “Cheated, betrayed and let down” by his team mate. 2 of the other members of the team were banned later for similar offences. 2 of the other members of the team were banned later for similar offences. Marion Jones also confessed to taking drugs at the Olympics and served a prison sentence for this. Marion Jones also confessed to taking drugs at the Olympics and served a prison sentence for this.

What are the reasons for taking drugs in sport? The use of drugs in sport is now becoming an expensive and dangerous game of cat and mouse- why? The use of drugs in sport is now becoming an expensive and dangerous game of cat and mouse- why? As drugs become more detectable “Masking” agents are becoming more important to the cheats. As drugs become more detectable “Masking” agents are becoming more important to the cheats. The actual means of testing is at times corrupt meaning some innocent performers careers are in tatters whilst guilty competitors go free. The actual means of testing is at times corrupt meaning some innocent performers careers are in tatters whilst guilty competitors go free.

LONDON 2012 SHOCK: CHAMBERS CHAMPS AS BOLT CHOKES! Dwayne Chambers, once one of the UK’s most infamous drug cheats has today won Olympic Gold and broken Usain Bolt’s world record by 1 whole second. Elated, Chambers stated “HGH got me the Gold!” Bolt, who continued to run unaided despite the Olympic committees allowance of drugs in the Olympics, stated “This sport is dead to me, I am a true athlete not a cheat”

“Levelling the Playing Field” Do you think that this would be a good idea? Do you think that this would be a good idea? Would this make sport more entertaining? Would this make sport more entertaining? Lord Sebastian Coe, stated that this would be dire for Athletics and sport in general… Lord Sebastian Coe, stated that this would be dire for Athletics and sport in general… "We could end up with a situation like WWE wrestling where everyone knows it is fake and they don't care“.

What are the reasons for using drugs in sport... Continued. Reasons for Use: Physiological Build muscle Increase energy Increase O 2 transport Lose Weight Mask injury or tiredness Psychological Steady nerves Increase aggression Increase motivation Social Pressure from outside Money and sponsors “Win at all costs” “Everyone else is Doing it!

Consequences of Using drugs… Morality Gives an unfair adv. Undermines the “True spirit of sport” Reflects badly On others. Health and Wellbeing Addictive Lower life exp. Liver disorders Heart disease Suppress growth Moods/behaviour Aggression/depression Legality Against the law Against the laws In sport/s Role Modelling Bad Example To others Copying Heroes Bad image of All sports.

Adrian Mutu… Signed for £15.8m by Chelsea in Signed for £15.8m by Chelsea in Banned for 7 months and sacked for Cocaine use. Banned for 7 months and sacked for Cocaine use. Now has failed second anti-doping test- anti obesity drug! Now has failed second anti-doping test- anti obesity drug! No concept of morality or uneducated? No concept of morality or uneducated?

Who is involved in stopping Drugs and Doping in sport? W.A.D.A Promotes, coordinates and monitors the fight against doping in sports at international level. Promotes, coordinates and monitors the fight against doping in sports at international level. 100% ME Promotes drug-free competitive sport throughout the UK. Promotes drug-free competitive sport throughout the UK. Provides high quality information and provides positive attitudes and values in sport. Provides high quality information and provides positive attitudes and values in sport.

Technological Products in Sport… Over the last 50 years in sport what has changed? Over the last 50 years in sport what has changed?

Advances… Lightweight trainers/spikes/boots. Lightweight trainers/spikes/boots. Better material for shirts. Better material for shirts. Compression vests/ under armour. Compression vests/ under armour. 8 panel/6 panel/4 panel/1 panel balls. 8 panel/6 panel/4 panel/1 panel balls. Photo finish technology. Photo finish technology. Replay techniques (TMO/Snick-o-meter). Replay techniques (TMO/Snick-o-meter). “Goal line” Technology? “Goal line” Technology?

The Javelin: Case study… The World Record had crept up to a massive m by 1986 thrown by Uwe Holn. The World Record had crept up to a massive m by 1986 thrown by Uwe Holn. Runners at this point were in danger of being speared on the other side of the track. Runners at this point were in danger of being speared on the other side of the track. Javelins are now harder to throw making the event more difficult. Javelins are now harder to throw making the event more difficult. Conversions are made to compare old records to the new. Conversions are made to compare old records to the new. Record currently stands at 94.48m thrown by Jan Zelezny. Record currently stands at 94.48m thrown by Jan Zelezny.

Key Impacts… Improved Performance. Increased Safety… Increased Comfort…

Work for you… Separate into two sides “Pro and Against” allowing drugs in sport. Separate into two sides “Pro and Against” allowing drugs in sport. Come up with one part of an argument for a debate next week to start the session… Come up with one part of an argument for a debate next week to start the session… for all notes and eventually exam style questions! for all notes and eventually exam style questions!

Any Questions?