The problem of doping in athletics has been one of the most acute and relevant issues in the world of sports for a long time. According to many experts, doping is not only a violation of ethical norms and rules but also a serious threat to the health of athletes and society. To better understand the doping problem in athletics and find ways to solve it, application of the agency theory of governance is necessary.
In the context of doping in athletics, the agency theory can be seen as a model of the relationships between athletes (agents) and their coaches, sports organizations, and anyone who influences their activity and decisions regarding the use of banned substances. According to the agency theory, in such relationships between an agent and a principal (coach, organization), a conflict of interests may arise (Geddes, 2020). An agent may strive for maximum results, including through the use of banned substances, while the principal will insist on compliance with rules and norms.
To solve the doping problem in athletics, it is necessary to consider all sides of the conflict of interests and find a compromise solution. Within the agency theory, several options for solving the doping problem can be considered. The first option is to increase the punishment for the use of banned substances. This decision can be made by sports organizations and government authorities (Barkoukis, et al., 2019). However, this is only sometimes an effective way to combat doping. Firstly, it needs to solve the problem of conflict of interests between the agent and the principal. Secondly, increasing punishment can lead to athletes using banned substances more covertly, making their detection more difficult.
The second option is to raise ethical and moral standards in sports. This option is based on the belief that athletes will strive for high results not only by using banned substances but also through their athletic skills and abilities (Barkoukis, et al., 2019). However, raising ethical and moral standards is a long-term process that requires not only educational measures but also a change in the mentality of the sports community. The third option is to create conditions where athletes are not forced to use banned substances to achieve high results (Barkoukis, et al., 2019). Such conditions include improving the sports funding system, raising the level of coaching support, creating favorable conditions for training and competitions, and improving the doping control system.
Overall, all these solutions to the doping problem in athletics can be effective if implemented in combination. It is essential to understand that doping is not just a problem for individual athletes or sports organizations but also a problem for the entire sports community and society as a whole (Beneke & Leithäuser, 2019). Therefore, solving it requires the efforts of all interested parties. As practice shows, there is a need to increase the accountability of agents for violating doping control rules (Beneke & Leithäuser, 2019). To do this, more severe punishments should be introduced for violations, including criminal responsibility for the most serious offenses, such as using banned substances in major international competitions.
In addition, it is crucial to increase the transparency of doping control by ensuring accessibility and clarity of rules and procedures for all participants in sports activities. This can be achieved by strengthening control over doping control, improving the qualifications of specialists involved in doping control, and improving the methods and technologies used in doping control. It is also essential to consider that the problem of doping in athletics is not unique to this sport (Beneke & Leithäuser, 2019). Doping control is an integral part of ensuring fairness in sports. Doping can be used in different sports to achieve high results, which means that the solution to the doping problem should be universal and cover all types of sports.
There is an opinion that doping is an inevitable aspect of sports activity, as athletes always strive to achieve the highest results. However, this approach is erroneous and unlawful, as the health and life of athletes should be the top priority. Doping can lead not only to health problems but also to the death of athletes, which is unacceptable in any sport. Thus, solving the problem of doping in athletics and sports as a whole is a complex process that requires the joint efforts of all interested parties (Beneke & Leithäuser, 2019). Effective campaigns aimed at educating athletes about the harmful effects of doping should be conducted, conditions should be created for athletes to achieve high results without using prohibited substances, the level of doping control should be increased, and punishments for violations should be strengthened. Ultimately, an effective solution to the problem of doping in athletics and sports can contribute to the development of the sports industry, enhance its prestige, and strengthen public trust in sports. Therefore, all efforts should be directed towards achieving cleanliness and ethics in sports, which, in turn, will promote its further development and growth.
In conclusion, the agency theory of governance can be a valuable tool for critically analyzing the problem of doping in athletics. Understanding how and why agents make decisions regarding doping can be vital in developing effective anti-doping programs. However, to ensure the long-term effectiveness of anti-doping efforts, further research and investigations in various contexts are needed. The agency theory of governance can help us understand what specific actions need to be taken to solve the doping problem in athletics. But for its successful implementation, the peculiarities of the sports industry, the interaction of various interested parties, and modern trends in the sports field must be taken into account.
References
Barkoukis, V., Brooke, L., Ntoumanis, N., Smith, B., & Gucciardi, D. F. (2019). The role of the athletes’ entourage on attitudes to doping. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(21), 2483-2491.
Beneke, R., & Leithäuser, R. M. (2019). Gender, sex, sex differences, doping in athletic performance. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 14(7), 869-870.
Geddes, B. H. (2020). Agency theory, accounting based performance evaluation systems and IFRS: A brief relational overview. SSRN.