Consequences of doping

An athlete runs very high risks by consuming doping substances or by using prohibited methods.

This may result in very severe health but also financial, legal and social consequences.

Medical consequences

Physical health: depending on the substance, the dosage and the consumption frequency, doping products may have particularly negative side effects on health. Some damages for the body are irreversible and may lead that the athlete’s life be in great danger.

Psychological health: some doping substances may not be detrimental to the body but exercise an impact on mental health. It was scientifically evidenced that anxiety, obsessive disorders or psychosis are direct consequences from doping.

Social consequences

The life of an athlete who was found guilty of doping may be completely disrupted. Indeed, doping may represent a danger for the health but it may also be prejudicial to fame, respect and credibility. Even future negative findings are regularly questioned by the media and others. The poor image will remain in the collective unconscious and the athlete will remain isolated.

Financial consequences

As regards high-performance sport, an infringement of anti-doping rules often leads to a loss of income, the reimbursement of prize moneys and of sponsorship money. An athlete suspended for several years, or even banned for life, cannot earn his/her living as usual and can even be forced into debts to live on a day-to-day basis.

Legal consequences

Doping may have major legal consequences. A doped athlete may be suspended, i.e. he/she may not take part in sport competition or in organised training sessions.

Current suspended athletes

The following athletes are suspended from entering competitions sanctioned by IBSA from the sanction start date, to the date of the sanction end.

Provisionally suspended athletes