Drugs in sport

Swimming Technique, Jan-Mar 1999 by Rushall, Brent S

Possible hts

Drug use in Olympic participation is a muddied picture. There will be no clarification while the IOC continues to make ineffective and token rules. There are actions, however, that could be taken to un-muddy the drugs-insport crisis:

Limit performance-enhancing drug testing to athletic performers, but with better drug selection, procedures and unannounced schedules.

Extend social drug testing to the total Olympic family rather than discriminating against only performers, for there is no justifiable reason to exclude any part of the Olympic family.

If the second action is not possible (or, potentially too embarrasing), then the IOC should not test for social drugs at all.

Another argument against IOC social drug testing in international sports is that social drug legislation is more the province of individual governments than organizations such as the IOC. Countries differ in their tolerance and acceptance of various drugs because these are distinctive aspects of cultures. The IOC crosses these cultural boundaries and, in one sense, ignores the diversity of the world's cultures for self-serving reasons. It is an area from which the IOC's arrogance should be excluded.

Most social drugs are detrimental to athletic performance. Social drug testing is not the province of sport and should not be a part of swimming.

About the Author

Brent S. Rushall, Ph.D., R.Psy., is a professor of exercise and nutritional sciences at San Diego State University in California.