A study by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reveals alarming figures and structural failures of national anti-doping agencies when it comes to underage doping.
A total of 1,518 young athletes between the ages of twelve and 17 have been found to have illegal substances in their blood since 2012. Doping proceedings were initiated in 1,416 cases.
The youngest athlete convicted was twelve years old
Basis of the study with the title “Operation Refuge – An Investigation into Underage Doping” consists of data sets from the past eleven years, surveys by national anti-doping agencies and interviews with minors around the world who have been convicted of doping. The youngest athlete convicted of doping was twelve years old.
The most common doping substances for minors are anabolic steroids, which promote muscle growth, or Ritalin, which increase performance and concentration. The diuretic “Furosemide”, an agent for cardiovascular disorders, was detected particularly frequently.
Diuretics are often used to reduce weight or masking agents to disguise other doping agents. According to the study, the sports in which underage doping occurs most frequently are: weightlifting, athletics, swimming. Most cases were in Russia, India and China.
NADA: 25 cases in Germany since 2017
The National Anti Doping Agency of Germany (NADA) also took part in collecting the data and answered WADA’s questions. When asked by Sportschau, NADA confirmed 25 official cases of underage doping in the past six years. In two cases there were bans: refusing to take a doping test led to a two-year ban, and a positive doping test led to a three-month ban. NADA did not want to provide any information about the sport or the age of the athletes.
NADA emphasizes that underage athletes in Germany are specifically monitored and protected preventively. A separate prevention program “Young Athletes” velvet Workshops and On-line-Offer conveys the values of sport. The environment of underage athletes – i.e. carers, parents and teachers – would also be clarified by NADA.
The victims are left alone
According to the study, it is precisely the pressure of performance and expectations from their environment that often pushes young athletes towards doping. In an interview with WADA, the minors who were found to be doping complained about the external pressure exerted. Their coaches asked them to show more dedication and to subordinate their lives to sport. Fluctuations in performance, for example due to puberty, were unacceptable. The doping? Means to the end of a promising professional career.
After a positive doping test, great uncertainty follows. The minors reported trauma. They were excluded from sport and experienced rejection from their club, family and friends. Isolation and depression are the result. The coaches turned away and their careers were put on hold.
In addition to the social ostracism for the athletes and their families, they complain about a lack of structures. There would be no reintegration, no offers of psychological help. In addition, some of the minors stated that they had never been informed about illegal substances or the consequences of doping.
Structural failures of national anti-doping agencies
These allegations reflect poorly on anti-doping agencies and sports associations. Judging by the WADA data, this is not an accumulation of individual cases, but rather, in some cases, apparently a case of structural doping in the youth sector. Cases from Belarus, Canada, China and Romania reveal that several athletes tested positive for the same substances during the same period.
WADA’s surveys also indicate that national anti-doping agencies often underestimate the situation. 60 percent said doping among minors was not widespread. 78 percent of those surveyed consider their skills for testing minors to be sufficient. But only 15 percent have structural processes for corresponding cases and their follow-up care.
New ways in the fight against underage doping
Gunter Youngerchief investigator at the World Anti-Doping Agency, therefore sees a need for improvement in communication. Younger told Deutschlandfunk that he was shocked by the pressure that was being put on young athletes. It is necessary to reach young athletes more quickly and effectively and provide them with preventive information.
With the help of influencers In the future, WADA would like to penetrate the digital living spaces of minors in order to raise their awareness. The aim is for the young athletes to realize that they can talk to WADA to express fears and concerns. WADA is also working on strengthening its communication in Chinese and Russian-speaking countries.