European Commission

About the author: The European Commission is the executive body responsible for implementing the legislation adopted by the Parliament and Council of the European Union. The commission enforces the European Union's policy banning performance-enhancing drugs from athletic competition.

"Doping" is the illegal misuse of drugs by athletes to enhance performance when training or participating in a sporting event. While athletes have used plants and other substances to artificially enhance performance throughout history, dangerous doping methods are now commonplace. Some athletes view doping as the only way to keep up with the fierce demands of athletic competition. In addition to jeopardizing public health, doping is at odds with the principle that athletes should work without artificial resources to achieve success. Education and prevention campaigns must be undertaken to stamp out doping.

What does doping really mean? One...