Drugs in sport: A call for comparative research

Abstract

When the American tennis star, Andre Agassi, recently admitted using crystal meth during his playing career, the salacious media coverage suggested that the public still remain concerned about what high-profile sports stars take. Fellow professionals were quick to jump to his defence. However, the feeling remains that sports men and women are role models for clean living and healthy lifestyles. This is especially important given the publicity around drugs, obesity and young people, as well of course as the Olympics are due in London in 2012. The question I wish to explore here is how drug use in sport can be seen as similar to and different from other forms of drug use. Following that, I want to outline some challenges facing education, prevention and policy decisions within sports organizations.