This document discusses ethics in sport and the use of performance-enhancing substances and methods by athletes. It provides principles for an ethical framework in sport, including respect, fairness, compliance with laws, and harm prevention. It considers questions around the role of science in enhancing performance. It examines why athletes may take drugs, such as pressure to win or peer influence, and lists specific illegal ergogenic aids. It outlines ethical dilemmas around intravenous drips, injections, supplements, drugs, and genetic manipulation.

1. ETHICS AND SPORT

3. ETHICS: a definition “ the practice of making principled choices between right and wrong” “explicitly reflecting on moral beliefs and practices”

4. PRINCIPLES FOR AN ETHICAL FRAMEWORK FOR SPORT Respect Basic justice and fairness Refusing to take unfair advantage Willing compliance with laws and rules Freedom to enjoy and flourish Harm prevention Impartiality and objectivity Trustworthiness and honesty Transparency Avoiding potential or apparent conflict of interest Due diligence Duty of care

5. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER At what point does science and technology surpass the athlete’s “natural” or own performance? How much of the performance belongs to the athlete versus the scientist working in the laboratory? Should we be advocating and supporting the use of practices that might be detrimental and dangerous to the health and well-being of athletes using them? How much of a “level playing field” exists if unequal access to ergogenic practices exists?

6. WHY DO ATHLETES TAKE DRUGS? There are a number of general factors that may contribute to an athlete misusing drugs: The drug itself The athlete The athlete’s environment

7. WHY DO ATHLETES TAKE DRUGS? – the drug itself Side effects Ease of availability Legal status Physical dependency

8. WHY DO ATHLETES TAKE DRUGS? – the athlete Dissatisfaction with performance and progress Psychological dependency Self-pressure and doubt, lack of confidence, stress, anxiety or depression Relaxation/socialisation Lack of knowledge about side effects Values (using is not a problem) Wanting to keep up with other athletes using drugs Believing they can get away with it Being easily influenced by peers A “win-at-all-costs” mentality Personal pride and the need to retain a “hero” status

9. WHY DO ATHLETES TAKE DRUGS? – the environment Friends or peers using drugs Culture of the sport Pressure to win from coach, parents, public and media Unreasonable scheduling of events Financial reward – prize money, endorsements Prestige and fame Influence of role models Demanding qualifying standards or performance expectations National honour and pride

10. ILLEGAL ERGOGENIC AIDS/PRACTICES Stimulants Narcotic analgesics Anabolic steroids Beta-blockers Diuretics Polypeptide hormones and analogues EPO (erythropoietin) Blood-doping Alcohol

11. ETHICAL DILEMMAS IN SPORT In recent times ethical issues have confronted sport regarding various ergogenic (performance-enhancing) practices: Intravenous drips Use of pain-killing injections Vitamin-supplement injections Performance-enhancing drugs and methods Genetic therapy and manipulation

12. INTRAVENOUS DRIPS AND RECOVERY FOR AGAINST

13. PAIN-KILLING INJECTIONS FOR AGAINST

14. VITAMIN-SUPPLEMENT INJECTIONS FOR AGAINST

15. PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS AND METHODS FOR AGAINST

16. GENETIC THERAPY AND MANIPULATION FOR AGAINST

17. YES? In making a decision to use an ergogenic practice in sport the following should be addressed: Is it safe? Is it effective? Is it legal? Is it ethical? It is only when the answer to each question is “yes” that the ergogenic practice can be considered as an appropriate aid to sport performance