Drug misuse poses significant risks to athletes’ health, and the use of performance-enhancing substances or methods undermines the integrity, image, and value of sports, regardless of whether it is intended to boost performance. Anti-doping programs are designed to protect sports by upholding respect for rules, fairness in competition, and the universal importance of clean sport.
These programs achieve their goals through rules, education and prevention efforts, testing, and penalizing those who violate regulations. Everyone involved in sports—athletes, coaches, administrators, medical personnel, parents, and the broader athlete support network—has a responsibility to understand and support anti-doping principles. For athletes, knowledge of anti-doping practices is essential to safeguard their careers, maintain control over their professional lives, and avoid both deliberate and accidental doping violations.