Drug doping in sports : an overview and recommendations for the Maltese context

Abstract

The use of legal and illicit medical substances is widespread in international sport and becoming more complex. Serious concern exists about the use of illicit substances, as listed in the list of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) of prohibited substances. This phenomenon is also present among Maltese athletes and positive doping cases have been reported in the media among local sportspersons from varying disciplines. In this paper, a review of the current international conventions with respect to drug doping in sport will be given together with an overview of the prohibited substances. The Maltese situation will also be assessed. Limited local data indicate that this is an underground phenomenon which has existed and persisted over the years. The testing programs, with some exceptions, have to date been very poor and most sporting disciplines are not tested regularly. Recommendations will be made in order to readdress the lacuna in data available, as well as the knowledge and education of this subject among local sportspersons, coaches and sports officials, and various health care professionals. In addition, a call is made for Malta to implement the WADA Code as soon as possible, and sign and ratify the UNESCO and Council of Europe conventions, while ensuring that adequate resources are made available for their enforcement.