'Shocking' rise in number of South African athletes who are doping

The number of athletes taking performance enhancing drugs has increased by 178% - in one year, the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sports says

According to the regulatory body’s annual report, of the 2,308 athletes tested between April and March this year, 53 (2.3 percent)  tested positive for doping.

This was an increase of 178% from last year’s 18 out of a  group of 2,284 athletes (0.8 percent).

CEO Khalid Galant said in a statement that anabolic steroids were the drug of choice for 42% of the total number of positives.

Describing the increase as shocking, Galant said it could be largely attributed to the widespread availability of sports supplements that contained banned substances like anabolic steroids, hormones and stimulants.

“We have embarked on a huge drive to warn athletes about the dangers of taking supplements that have poor scientific evidence of  benefits, and present the athlete with a high risk of contamination  with prohibited substances.”    

Galant said focus would be placed on regulating supplements.

While athletes had to face the consequences of their actions, the institute also needed to show compassion for their health and wellbeing.

“In response to the surge of doping cases, many of the affected athletes suffer severe emotional strain and risk being socially ostracised for bringing their sport into disrepute.”   

To this end, it would offer counselling to dopers to help them cope with suspension.