An overview of anti-doping rule violations in Sri Lankan sports from 2014 to 2020

Oral Presentation

Abstract

^{Although information related to anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) within the doping control procedure is very useful, no studies have been carried out regarding the ADRVs in Sri Lanka. This study aimed to explore the ADRVs occurred in Sri Lanka from 2014 to 2020. The data related to ADRVs in official records of Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency, World Anti-Doping website and official sports websites were explored quantitatively and qualitatively in this study. Qualitative data was content analyzed under the themes of reasons to dope, deterrents to doping, impacts of doping, modes of doping substances (DS) used to dope and supply of DS while quantitative data was presented in frequencies and percentages.}

 ^{Sri Lankan athletes have committed 35 ADRVs from 2014 to 2020 and out of which 31 of them were analytical ADRVs and 2 were non-analytical ADRVs. Most of the ADRVs have been reported among male athletes (32,91.4%) and who are within the age group of 20-29 years (20,60.6%). The commonly used DS were anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and other anabolic agents (21), diuretics (6), stimulants (5) and the substance used was specific for the sport that they play. Cyclists have used prednisolone and salbutamol, bodybuilders have used diuretics, AAS and other anabolic agents, powerlifters and rugby players have used AAS and stimulants and track and field athletes have used AAS. Some athletes had used few DS simultaneously and most of them (50%) were bodybuilders. Higher number of ADRVs were reported in bodybuilding (9,25.7%), powerlifting (7,20.0%) and rugby (7,20.0%). The charge of a doping rule violation was accepted by 21 athletes and their reasons to use DS were to build muscle mass and improve strength (14.3%), to build their body (14.3%), to increase body weight (14.3%), to improve endurance (7.1%), to win the tournament (7.1%), and as a medicine (42.8%). In most of the instances, gymnasiums, body building supplement shops and personnel who live in abroad have promoted and supplied DS to these athletes. Some of the athletes have used DS with the awareness of sanctions that could be imposed by their use and some of them have already participated for anti-doping seminars as well. Majority of them highlighted that these sanctions had affected their sporting career, economy and social status adversely. The ADRVs related trends which were observed in Sri Lanka are mostly equivalent to the trends observed in the world.}