DOPING

In sports, the use of performance-enhancing drugs is commonly referred to by the disparaging term "doping", particularly by those organizations that regulate competitions. The use of performance enhancing drugs is mostly done to improve athletic performance. This is why many sports ban the use of performance enhancing drugs. Another similar use of medical technology is called blood doping, either by blood transfusion or use of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). The use of drugs to enhance performance is considered unethical by most international sports organizations and especially the International Olympic Committee.

Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe

The Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg was opened for signature on 16 December 1989 as the first multilateral legal standard in this field.The main objective of the Convention is to promote the national and international harmonisation of the measures to be taken against doping. In their constitutional provisions, each contracting party undertakes to:
->create a national co-ordinating body;
->reduce the trafficking of doping substances and the use of banned doping agents;
->reinforce doping controls and improve detection techniques;
->support education and awareness-raising programmes;
->guarantee the efficiency of sanctions taken against offenders;
->collaborate with sports organisations at all levels, including at international level;

->and to use accredited anti-doping laboratories.