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• It is against the ideals of Olympism and medical ethics. The individual
choosing to use such substances gains an illegal and unethical advantage
over the other competitors, thus breaking the rules and contradicting fair
play. In addition, it widens the gap between athletes/teams that can afford
these drugs and those who cannot.
• It takes humanism out of sport. Doping creates an uneven platform
for competition, which should be based upon individual human
capabilities, and not on drug enhanced metabolisms.
• Tarnishes the image of the Olympic rings and ideals. It devalues sport
and also the image of the athlete's country.
• It is harmful to the athlete's health and it can also be dangerous for other
people because some forbidden substances result in aggressive behaviour.
• Its continuous use may lead to drug dependency.
• It may force others to use them, simply in order to remain competitive.
• It is a bad role model for youth.
Possible arguments for its legal use:
• Infringements of the athletes' human rights or civil liberties.
• An actual medical need for a genuine medical ailment.
• Enhance athletes' performance, which could prolong their career and
hence their income.
Some felt that drugs should be made legal. However this would initially require
a complete revision of what the concepts of sport and cheating are. It would also
raise a whole host of new issues such as, whether the Games would become a
competition between athletes or drug companies.
Question 10: Should athletes who get caught doping be banned from
their sport and for how long?
All the groups agreed that doping is cheating and should be punished:
• Drug testing should continue to be done in order to stop athletes from
cheating and from harming their bodies.
• Sanctions should continue to be imposed decided by the IOC Medical
Commission and on case by case basis.
• Sanctions should be taken against doctors and medical advisors as well
as team mangers and coaches if proven that these individuals were
involved in the doping case.
• Even the laboratories that produce doping substances should be
sanctioned.
• Anti-drug regulations between the different sporting bodies should be
harmonized.
As far as sanctions are concerned, the groups' opinions were divided.
Some groups said that athletes should be banned for life while others argued
that athletes should be banned in accordance to the seriousness of the case.
Some added that the severity of sanctions should also depend on whether it is the
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