Doping in Sports

The use of performance-enhancing substances by athletes has a long history, predating the ancient Greek Olympiads. Concern about this practice was manifested in the 20th century by, in the case of the Olympics, the creation of anti-doping organisations, and the adoption of anti-doping policies by these organisations and professional sports leagues in the United States. Leading the way was the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which implemented testing in 1968 at the Olympic Games in Grenoble, France, and Mexico City, Mexico. The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Football League (NFL) followed suit in the 1980s. Major League Baseball implemented an anti-drug policy in 2003. This report compares current anti-doping policies for performance enhancing substances among the Olympic movement and three professional sports -- Major League Baseball, the NBA, and the NFL. Details associated with each of the selected group's policy are presented.