The YouGov Sports Study assessed the opinions and attitudes of the public toward doping and the appropriate length of bans for those caught using performance-enhancing substances
Doping – the use of artificial and often illegal substances to gain an advantage over others in sporting competitions – is one of the main challenges to fair competition in sports. At the recent Summer Olympic Games in Paris, four athletes were disqualified for failing doping tests.
Doping is seen as a major problem, but Britons are split on the length of the ban
Two-thirds of Britons (65%) see doping as a significant problem in sports. In contrast, 15% don’t consider it a major issue, including 2% who don’t believe it is a problem at all.
When it comes to how doping offenders should be dealt with, the public is divided. Nearly half of Britons (47%) believe that athletes caught doping should be banned for life. Support for a permanent ban for those caught doping is strongest among the older population, with 60% of those aged 60 and over favouring this, compared to only 27% of those aged 16-24.
Support for lifetime bans as a penalty for doping is similarly high to the national rate among Britons who say they like sports (50%) or are interested in the Olympics (49%).
However, a similar number (44%) think that a limited suspension would be a sufficient penalty for doping. This view is notably more present in the 16-24 population (55%) compared to the older cohorts (36-47%).
What if doping was allowed?
One in ten Britons (10%) think that if certain performance-enhancing drugs were allowed they would lead to a level playing field. Those younger than 40 are slightly more in favour of this: 14-17% compared to the older population (6-9%). One in five Britons (20%) who play a sport at least once a month think this is a good idea.
Seven out of ten Britons (72%) say that legalising certain drugs for use in sports would not lead to a level playing field.
The Enhanced Games is an international sports event planned for 2025, where athletes will not be subject to drug testing and are allowed to take performance-enhancing drugs.
When asked about the concept of the Enhanced Games, 68% of Britons opposed the idea, with only 16% in favour. Among those who play sports at least once a month, support increases to 30%.
Among Britons who think that certain performance enhancing drugs should be legalised, 54% strongly or somewhat support the concept of the Enhanced Games, while 34% are against.
The “overtraining syndrome”
In recent years, a growing number of athletes have been suffering from overtraining syndrome – a condition that occurs when an athlete pushes themselves or their body too far, leading to physical pain, discomfort, fatigue, or underperformance. The causes of overtraining are still debated within the scientific community.
The YouGov Sports Study asked whether there should be a legal limit on how much an athlete can train each day. A quarter of the population (25%) believe such limits should be imposed, while half (51%) oppose the idea.
Women (31%) are notably more likely than men (18%) to support imposing these limits. Among 16-24-year-olds, 34% are in favour of legal restrictions on training, compared to 20% of the oldest age group.
Among Britons who play a sport at least once a month, 28% support the idea of legal limits on training, while 60% oppose this.
See the full results here:
Which sports should/not be in the Olympics (during Paris 2024)
Which sports should/not be in the Olympics (post Paris 2024)
Photo: Getty
