Sociology of Sport: Doping

Summary

Sociology occupies a unique position within doping research, thanks to sociologists’ tendency to challenge commonly held assumptions about the topic. Synthesizing the contribution of sociological research to doping is no easy task, but taking a historical view of the development of doping as a social issue allows several insights.

Firstly, such a view highlights the diverse meanings of “doping,” a concept which varies across different eras, people, and cultures. From this conceptual underpinning it is possible to examine how the development of certain norms, such as how “doping-free” sport has been elevated to a virtue and how the anti-doping system came to be established. Once these norms are established and widespread, a sociological view then turns the focus back onto the anti-doping system and its foundations, challenging the idea that the movement was driven by virtuous actors in sport to protect athletes’ health. This includes how sociologists challenged the idea of doping as merely an individual moral failure, as research has shown that blaming athletes alone ignores the responsibilities of support personnel, sports organizations, and governments.

Beyond the causes of doping behaviors, a sociological view, especially when combined with a historical understanding, provides explanation of the impact of political and ideological struggles, particularly between states, on the anti-doping system. This understanding of the actors “doing” the anti-doping contributes to the shift to an athlete-centered approach, as social scientists broaden their research by paying attention to the diversity of athletes’ experiences in the fight against doping, including the system’s unintended consequences, such as infringements of athlete privacy.

Finally, sociology allows an understanding of the role of science within anti-doping, characterized by the selective use of certain disciplines, methods, or tools considered “science” in anti-doping. Encouraging epistemological reflection on anti-doping sciences prompts researchers and practitioners to reflect on their own work.