The task of detecting illegal performance enhancers lies with the many anti-doping agencies across the world who conduct thousands of blood and urine tests each year to help combat cheating in sport.
There have been many successful partnerships between anti-doping and Governments worldwide, collaborating together to bring fair honest sport to all that deserve it. Anti-doping operations including the Balco case, the Italian police investigations at the 2007 Turin Olympics and operation Puerto were all conducted with close partnerships between the police and anti-doping agencies.
Drug testing, research and education is overseen by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the WADA Code forms the ‘bible’ of anti-doping, seen by many as one of the most significant developments in anti-doping to date.
Many now believe that the other ‘evil’ of sport is that of corruption, yet there is no anti-corruption body solely for sport. Corruption is growing and at an alarming rate. Betting scandals are taking up more headline space in sports such as snooker, tennis and soccer. Where there is money there will be crime and corruption. Unfortunately there is no test for corruption, although WADA have close ties with Interpol and the World Customs Organisation to help combat such evils.
Closer ties between government agencies and anti-doping agencies are to be welcomed not only in the fight against corruption but also in the fight against doping. A corrupt athlete, doctor or team staff member faced with a criminal sentence or even jail is far more likely to provide important information and intelligence rather than a ban lasting a few months which are sometimes completed throughout an athletes ‘off season’.
Relationships between national anti-doping organisations and law enforcement agencies are a very powerful tool in the war on drugs, especially when it is reported that there is more money to be made in the illegal trafficking of steroids than that of heroin. It is easy to see why corruption and trafficking of illegal performance enhancers is on the increase.
Sport is big business, with millions being gambled on events each day, we are faced with many challenges. It is important that the anti-doping community unite against such spoils and that all athletes respect ethical, honest sport.
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