Sportsmen failing dope test has become a common phenomenon across the globe and India is no exception. Ignorance rather than ‘cheating’ is the motive behind such incidents. Counselling rather than policing is the need of the hour to avoid a repeat of these occurrences in international sports. I don’t think doping helps to enhance sporting performance over a period of time. Infact it could act as a deterrent with side-effects that could be deadly and un-repairable. Some athletes do cheat for winning medals but doping doesn’t guarantee success and should be avoided by all sportsmen as it could be life threatening as well. The International Olympic Association and other world sporting bodies too need to make necessary alterations in doping procedures and rules as many drugs which do not enhance performance too are included in the list which creates confusion. A tablet for headache or normal cold cure too when taken can result into failed dope test and the authorities need to justify drugs that are on the banned list.
Counselling is the need of the hour and every sportsman should be given proper advice as to the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ of not only the medicines they take but also the diet they are supposed to consume. So much is at stake in professional and international sports today and doping controversy should be handled professionally so that no sportsmen fail dope tests in future!
S.N. Kabra
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
