Impact of drug use

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 122

Describe two ethical issues related to athletes using performance-enhancing drugs. (4 marks)

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Answers could include two of the following:

Unfair advantage – Drug use gives athletes an advantage that has not been earned through training and talent. This is unfair to clean competitors, who may lose results, selection or income.
Pressure on other athletes – When drug use is widespread, clean athletes may feel pressured to use drugs to stay competitive, putting their own health at risk.
Influence on young athletes – Elite athletes are role models. When they use drugs, young athletes may see drug use as acceptable.
Loss of trust in sport – Drug scandals lead fans and sponsors to doubt whether results are genuine, damaging the integrity of the sport.

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Answers could include two of the following:

Unfair advantage – Drug use gives athletes an advantage that has not been earned through training and talent. This is unfair to clean competitors, who may lose results, selection or income.
Pressure on other athletes – When drug use is widespread, clean athletes may feel pressured to use drugs to stay competitive, putting their own health at risk.
Influence on young athletes – Elite athletes are role models. When they use drugs, young athletes may see drug use as acceptable.
Loss of trust in sport – Drug scandals lead fans and sponsors to doubt whether results are genuine, damaging the integrity of the sport.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 121

Compare in-competition and out-of-competition drug testing. (3 marks)

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Similarities

Both involve doping control officers collecting urine or blood samples under supervision, which are then analysed for banned substances.

Differences

In-competition testing occurs at events, such as after a final. It tests for the full list of banned substances, including drugs banned only during competition, such as stimulants.
Out-of-competition testing can occur at any time without notice, at training or at home, using location information athletes must provide.
Out-of-competition testing targets drugs used during training, such as anabolic steroids and EPO, which may have left the body before competition.

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Similarities

Both involve doping control officers collecting urine or blood samples under supervision, which are then analysed for banned substances.

Differences

In-competition testing occurs at events, such as after a final. It tests for the full list of banned substances, including drugs banned only during competition, such as stimulants.
Out-of-competition testing can occur at any time without notice, at training or at home, using location information athletes must provide.
Out-of-competition testing targets drugs used during training, such as anabolic steroids and EPO, which may have left the body before competition.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 118 MC

A swimmer tests positive to a banned substance that was in a supplement they took without checking its ingredients.

Under anti-doping rules, which statement is correct?

The swimmer is not responsible, because they did not intend to cheat
The supplement manufacturer receives the sanction instead of the swimmer
The result is disregarded if the swimmer can show their performance did not improve
The swimmer is responsible, because athletes are accountable for any banned substance found in their body

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\(D\)

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D is correct: Under anti-doping rules, athletes are responsible for any banned substance found in their body, regardless of how it got there. A lack of intent may reduce the length of a ban, but it does not remove responsibility.

Other options:

A is incorrect: Intent can affect the length of a sanction, but the athlete is still responsible for the positive test.
B is incorrect: Anti-doping rules apply to athletes, not to supplement manufacturers.
C is incorrect: A positive test is a violation whether or not performance improved.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 117 MC

Diuretics are classified as masking agents.

How do they help athletes avoid detection of other banned substances?

They increase urine output, diluting the concentration of other drugs in the sample
They speed up the breakdown of drugs in the liver so they leave the body before testing
They bind to other drugs so that laboratories cannot identify them
They reduce urine production so that the athlete cannot provide a sample

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\(A\)

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A is correct: Diuretics increase urine production. This dilutes the urine, lowering the concentration of other banned substances so they are harder to detect.

Other options:

B is incorrect: Diuretics act on the kidneys, not on how quickly the liver breaks down drugs.
C is incorrect: Diuretics do not bind to other substances. They only affect fluid output.
D is incorrect: Diuretics have the opposite effect, increasing urine production.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 116 MC

An endurance cyclist uses EPO to improve performance.

Which row correctly identifies the performance effect and a health risk of EPO?

Increased muscle mass and recovery; liver damage
Reduced body mass through fluid loss; dehydration
Increased oxygen-carrying capacity; thickened blood increasing the risk of stroke
Reduced heart rate and tremor; low blood pressure and fatigue

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\(C\)

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C is correct: EPO stimulates red blood cell production, increasing the oxygen delivered to working muscles. The extra red blood cells thicken the blood, increasing the risk of clots, stroke and heart attack.

Other options:

A is incorrect: This describes anabolic steroids, which are used for strength and power.
B is incorrect: This describes diuretics, which increase fluid loss.
D is incorrect: This describes beta blockers, which are used in precision sports such as shooting.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 120

Describe how drugs are used to allow athletes to play through injury. (4 marks)

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Painkillers such as paracetamol reduce the pain from an injury, allowing an athlete to keep training or competing.
Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen reduce swelling and pain around an injured joint or muscle.
Some athletes receive injections, such as local anaesthetics or cortisone, to numb or settle an injured area before a match.
However, pain is a warning signal. Masking it can lead an athlete to keep loading damaged tissue, turning a minor injury into a serious one.
Overuse of these drugs also carries health risks. Long-term anti-inflammatory use can irritate the stomach and affect the kidneys, and repeated cortisone injections can weaken tendons.
Because of these risks, anti-doping rules restrict some of these drugs. For example, injecting cortisone and using the painkiller tramadol are both banned during competition.

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Painkillers such as paracetamol reduce the pain from an injury, allowing an athlete to keep training or competing.
Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen reduce swelling and pain around an injured joint or muscle.
Some athletes receive injections, such as local anaesthetics or cortisone, to numb or settle an injured area before a match.
However, pain is a warning signal. Masking it can lead an athlete to keep loading damaged tissue, turning a minor injury into a serious one.
Overuse of these drugs also carries health risks. Long-term anti-inflammatory use can irritate the stomach and affect the kidneys, and repeated cortisone injections can weaken tendons.
Because of these risks, anti-doping rules restrict some of these drugs. For example, injecting cortisone and using the painkiller tramadol are both banned during competition.

HMS, TIP 2012 HSC 32b

Evaluate the risks and ethical issues related to the use of drugs to improve performance. (12 marks)

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Evaluation Statement

Performance-enhancing drug use presents significant risks and serious ethical concerns. Although some argue these concerns are overstated, the risks and ethical issues outweigh any performance benefits.

Health and Safety Risks

Anabolic steroids cause liver damage, cardiovascular disease and hormonal disruptions that can persist beyond athletic careers.
EPO increases blood viscosity, creating a high risk of stroke and heart attack, particularly during intense competition.
Stimulants can produce cardiac arrhythmias and overheating, which can result in sudden death during performance.
Many consequences emerge years after use ceases. For example, steroid use in adolescents can cause premature growth plate closure, permanently stunting height.
Female athletes can experience masculinisation effects such as voice deepening and increased body hair, some of which are irreversible.
Mental health impacts include depression, aggression and dependency, affecting quality of life beyond sport.

Ethical and Fair Play Issues

Drug use provides unfair advantages over clean athletes, devaluing achievement earned through training and talent.
When drug use is widespread, clean athletes may feel pressured to use drugs to remain competitive, putting their own health at risk.
Elite athletes are role models, and their drug use sends a dangerous message to young participants who may copy these practices.
This normalises cheating and damages public trust in sport.

Counter-Arguments

Some argue that drug use should be permitted because testing does not catch every user, so allowing medically supervised use would make competition fairer and reduce the risks of unsupervised use.
Others point out that the ethical line is unclear. For example, altitude tents are legal, yet they raise red blood cell levels in a similar way to EPO, which is banned.
However, permitting drug use would increase the pressure on clean athletes to use drugs, and high doses would remain harmful even under supervision.
The comparison with altitude training is also limited, because natural adaptations are restricted by the body, while drugs can push red blood cell levels to dangerous extremes.

Final Evaluation

Weighing these factors shows that performance-enhancing drugs present unacceptable risks and serious ethical violations.
While arguments for supervised use and the blurred line with legal methods raise valid questions, they do not outweigh the health dangers and the pressure placed on clean athletes.
Overall, drug use remains fundamentally incompatible with fair and ethical athletic participation.

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Evaluation Statement

Performance-enhancing drug use presents significant risks and serious ethical concerns. Although some argue these concerns are overstated, the risks and ethical issues outweigh any performance benefits.

Health and Safety Risks

Anabolic steroids cause liver damage, cardiovascular disease and hormonal disruptions that can persist beyond athletic careers.
EPO increases blood viscosity, creating a high risk of stroke and heart attack, particularly during intense competition.
Stimulants can produce cardiac arrhythmias and overheating, which can result in sudden death during performance.
Many consequences emerge years after use ceases. For example, steroid use in adolescents can cause premature growth plate closure, permanently stunting height.
Female athletes can experience masculinisation effects such as voice deepening and increased body hair, some of which are irreversible.
Mental health impacts include depression, aggression and dependency, affecting quality of life beyond sport.

Ethical and Fair Play Issues

Drug use provides unfair advantages over clean athletes, devaluing achievement earned through training and talent.
When drug use is widespread, clean athletes may feel pressured to use drugs to remain competitive, putting their own health at risk.
Elite athletes are role models, and their drug use sends a dangerous message to young participants who may copy these practices.
This normalises cheating and damages public trust in sport.

Counter-Arguments

Some argue that drug use should be permitted because testing does not catch every user, so allowing medically supervised use would make competition fairer and reduce the risks of unsupervised use.
Others point out that the ethical line is unclear. For example, altitude tents are legal, yet they raise red blood cell levels in a similar way to EPO, which is banned.
However, permitting drug use would increase the pressure on clean athletes to use drugs, and high doses would remain harmful even under supervision.
The comparison with altitude training is also limited, because natural adaptations are restricted by the body, while drugs can push red blood cell levels to dangerous extremes.

Final Evaluation

Weighing these factors shows that performance-enhancing drugs present unacceptable risks and serious ethical violations.
While arguments for supervised use and the blurred line with legal methods raise valid questions, they do not outweigh the health dangers and the pressure placed on clean athletes.
Overall, drug use remains fundamentally incompatible with fair and ethical athletic participation.

HMS, TIP 2016 HSC 30a

Explain the advantages and disadvantages related to drug testing elite athletes. (8 marks)

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Advantages:

Drug testing helps maintain fair competition across elite sport.

This occurs because systematic testing creates a deterrent effect that reduces their use.
As a result, natural ability and training determine outcomes rather than pharmaceutical enhancement.
For instance, when Olympic athletes undergo rigorous testing, spectators can trust that results reflect genuine athletic achievement.

Drug testing also protects athlete health.

This happens because many performance-enhancing substances carry serious long-term risks, including cardiovascular damage and hormonal disruption.
Because athletes can be tested at any time, including out of competition, the risk of being caught discourages them from endangering their health for short-term gains.

Disadvantages:

Drug testing can invade athletes’ privacy and produce incorrect results.

Sample collection is intrusive, and athletes must regularly report their location so they can be tested without notice.
Administrative errors or contaminated samples can lead to incorrect positive results that damage careers and reputations.
For example, some athletes have faced bans and public scrutiny before later proving their innocence.

Drug testing is also expensive and cannot detect every drug.

Testing requires trained officials and laboratory analysis, so less wealthy sports and nations may struggle to test thoroughly.
In addition, new substances constantly emerge, and athletes can evade detection through micro-dosing and designer drugs.
Consequently, some cheats go undetected, while clean athletes still bear the intrusion of testing.

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Advantages:

Drug testing helps maintain fair competition across elite sport.

This occurs because systematic testing creates a deterrent effect that reduces their use.
As a result, natural ability and training determine outcomes rather than pharmaceutical enhancement.
For instance, when Olympic athletes undergo rigorous testing, spectators can trust that results reflect genuine athletic achievement.

Drug testing also protects athlete health.

This happens because many performance-enhancing substances carry serious long-term risks, including cardiovascular damage and hormonal disruption.
Because athletes can be tested at any time, including out of competition, the risk of being caught discourages them from endangering their health for short-term gains.

Disadvantages:

Drug testing can invade athletes’ privacy and produce incorrect results.

Sample collection is intrusive, and athletes must regularly report their location so they can be tested without notice.
Administrative errors or contaminated samples can lead to incorrect positive results that damage careers and reputations.
For example, some athletes have faced bans and public scrutiny before later proving their innocence.

Drug testing is also expensive and cannot detect every drug.

Testing requires trained officials and laboratory analysis, so less wealthy sports and nations may struggle to test thoroughly.
In addition, new substances constantly emerge, and athletes can evade detection through micro-dosing and designer drugs.
Consequently, some cheats go undetected, while clean athletes still bear the intrusion of testing.

HMS, TIP 2018 HSC 31b

Evaluate the use of performance-enhancing drugs by elite athletes. (12 marks)

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Evaluation Statement

The use of performance-enhancing drugs by elite athletes can produce real performance gains.
However, it is highly problematic, as severe health risks and ethical violations far outweigh these short-term benefits.

Performance Benefits

Performance-enhancing drugs produce genuine performance gains, which explains why some elite athletes are willing to risk using them.
Anabolic steroids increase muscle mass and strength and speed recovery between sessions, allowing athletes to train harder and more often.
EPO increases red blood cell production, improving oxygen delivery to working muscles and endurance performance.
At the elite level, these gains can decide results, with selection, prize money and sponsorship at stake. However, they are temporary and depend on avoiding detection, which limits their value.

Health Implications

Anabolic steroids create substantial health risks, including liver damage, cardiovascular disease and hormonal disruption that can last long after use.
For example, prolonged steroid use can cause heart attacks, liver tumours, testicular atrophy and psychological effects such as aggression and depression.
EPO thickens the blood, which can lead to strokes, pulmonary embolism and heart failure.
Growth hormone abuse can cause joint damage, diabetes and abnormal bone growth.
These effects can cause lasting damage to organs and psychological wellbeing, outweighing short-term performance gains.

Ethical Considerations and Drug Testing

Performance-enhancing drugs provide unfair advantages that undermine sporting achievement based on talent, dedication and training.
For example, when Lance Armstrong used EPO, he cheated competitors who competed cleanly and deceived millions of fans who believed in his achievements.
Drug testing catches many offenders through advanced testing methods. However, new substances constantly emerge, and sophisticated doping programs can evade detection through micro-dosing and designer drugs.
The ethical damage extends beyond individual cheating to pressure on clean athletes, influence on young athletes and erosion of public trust in sport.

Final Evaluation

Weighing these factors shows that performance-enhancing drugs are highly detrimental to elite sport and athlete welfare.
Although they can improve strength, recovery and endurance, these gains are temporary and come at the cost of serious long-term health risks and the integrity of competition.
While detection systems are partly effective, drug use fundamentally contradicts the core values of sport and athlete safety, and its costs clearly outweigh its benefits.

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Evaluation Statement

The use of performance-enhancing drugs by elite athletes can produce real performance gains.
However, it is highly problematic, as severe health risks and ethical violations far outweigh these short-term benefits.

Performance Benefits

Performance-enhancing drugs produce genuine performance gains, which explains why some elite athletes are willing to risk using them.
Anabolic steroids increase muscle mass and strength and speed recovery between sessions, allowing athletes to train harder and more often.
EPO increases red blood cell production, improving oxygen delivery to working muscles and endurance performance.
At the elite level, these gains can decide results, with selection, prize money and sponsorship at stake. However, they are temporary and depend on avoiding detection, which limits their value.

Health Implications

Anabolic steroids create substantial health risks, including liver damage, cardiovascular disease and hormonal disruption that can last long after use.
For example, prolonged steroid use can cause heart attacks, liver tumours, testicular atrophy and psychological effects such as aggression and depression.
EPO thickens the blood, which can lead to strokes, pulmonary embolism and heart failure.
Growth hormone abuse can cause joint damage, diabetes and abnormal bone growth.
These effects can cause lasting damage to organs and psychological wellbeing, outweighing short-term performance gains.

Ethical Considerations and Drug Testing

Performance-enhancing drugs provide unfair advantages that undermine sporting achievement based on talent, dedication and training.
For example, when Lance Armstrong used EPO, he cheated competitors who competed cleanly and deceived millions of fans who believed in his achievements.
Drug testing catches many offenders through advanced testing methods. However, new substances constantly emerge, and sophisticated doping programs can evade detection through micro-dosing and designer drugs.
The ethical damage extends beyond individual cheating to pressure on clean athletes, influence on young athletes and erosion of public trust in sport.

Final Evaluation

Weighing these factors shows that performance-enhancing drugs are highly detrimental to elite sport and athlete welfare.
Although they can improve strength, recovery and endurance, these gains are temporary and come at the cost of serious long-term health risks and the integrity of competition.
While detection systems are partly effective, drug use fundamentally contradicts the core values of sport and athlete safety, and its costs clearly outweigh its benefits.

HMS, TIP 2021 HSC 31a

Outline the dangers to an athlete of using performance enhancing drugs. (3 marks)

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It is proposed that drug testing be introduced at the Australian championships for athletes who compete in a final.
Discuss the introduction of drug testing at this level of the competition. (5 marks)
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i. Dangers of using performance enhancing drugs

Performance enhancing drugs pose serious physical health risks including liver damage, cardiovascular problems, and hormonal imbalances.
Anabolic steroids can cause heart enlargement, increasing heart attack risk, while also disrupting natural hormone production.
Athletes face sporting sanctions, including competition bans and stripped titles, as well as damaged reputations that affect sponsorship opportunities.
Social dangers include loss of respect from peers, family disappointment and negative role model impact on younger athletes who may follow similar dangerous practices.

ii. Benefits of Drug Testing

[P] Drug testing at Australian championships promotes fair competition and athlete safety.
[E] Testing ensures all finalists compete on equal terms without artificial performance enhancement.
[Ev] For example, athletes who train naturally deserve recognition without competing against those using banned substances.
[L] This approach creates integrity in national-level competition where selection for international teams often occurs.
[P] Drug testing at this level also protects athlete health by deterring drug use.
[E] Knowing they may be tested if they reach a final discourages athletes from using substances that carry serious health risks.
[Ev] Testing programs are also supported by education that teaches athletes to check medications and supplements for banned substances.
[L] Therefore, testing protects athletes from both deliberate and accidental drug use.

Challenges of Drug Testing

[P] Drug testing creates financial burden and logistical challenges for sporting organisations.
[E] Testing procedures require significant funding for equipment, trained personnel, and laboratory analysis.
[Ev] Smaller sports may struggle to afford comprehensive testing programs for championship events.
[L] These costs may consequently reduce resources available for athlete development and grassroots programs.
[P] Young athletes may face unfair consequences from accidental substance consumption.
[E] Many athletes lack awareness about banned substances in everyday products like cough medicines.
[Ev] Prescribed medications or contaminated supplements could result in positive tests despite no intentional cheating.
[L] This creates potential career damage for innocent athletes at crucial development stages.

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i. Dangers of using performance enhancing drugs

Performance enhancing drugs pose serious physical health risks including liver damage, cardiovascular problems, and hormonal imbalances.
Anabolic steroids can cause heart enlargement, increasing heart attack risk, while also disrupting natural hormone production.
Athletes face sporting sanctions, including competition bans and stripped titles, as well as damaged reputations that affect sponsorship opportunities.
Social dangers include loss of respect from peers, family disappointment and negative role model impact on younger athletes who may follow similar dangerous practices.

ii. Benefits of Drug Testing

[P] Drug testing at Australian championships promotes fair competition and athlete safety.
[E] Testing ensures all finalists compete on equal terms without artificial performance enhancement.
[Ev] For example, athletes who train naturally deserve recognition without competing against those using banned substances.
[L] This approach creates integrity in national-level competition where selection for international teams often occurs.
[P] Drug testing at this level also protects athlete health by deterring drug use.
[E] Knowing they may be tested if they reach a final discourages athletes from using substances that carry serious health risks.
[Ev] Testing programs are also supported by education that teaches athletes to check medications and supplements for banned substances.
[L] Therefore, testing protects athletes from both deliberate and accidental drug use.

Challenges of Drug Testing

[P] Drug testing creates financial burden and logistical challenges for sporting organisations.
[E] Testing procedures require significant funding for equipment, trained personnel, and laboratory analysis.
[Ev] Smaller sports may struggle to afford comprehensive testing programs for championship events.
[L] These costs may consequently reduce resources available for athlete development and grassroots programs.
[P] Young athletes may face unfair consequences from accidental substance consumption.
[E] Many athletes lack awareness about banned substances in everyday products like cough medicines.
[Ev] Prescribed medications or contaminated supplements could result in positive tests despite no intentional cheating.
[L] This creates potential career damage for innocent athletes at crucial development stages.

HMS, TIP 2023 HSC 31b

Assess the consequences for athletes who test positive to performance enhancing drugs. (12 marks)

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Judgement Statement

The consequences for athletes who test positive to performance enhancing drugs are highly significant. They extend well beyond sporting penalties to affect an athlete’s income, reputation and wellbeing, as well as their teammates and sport.
However, the severity varies depending on the circumstances of the violation.

Sporting Sanctions

Athletes who test positive are disqualified from the event, and their results, medals and records are removed.
They also face bans from competition that can last several years, with lifetime bans for the most serious or repeated violations.
For example, Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from professional cycling for life.
These sanctions are highly significant because a ban can cover a large part of an athlete’s short competitive career.

Financial Consequences

A positive test usually leads sponsors to end their contracts, because they do not want their brand linked to cheating.
Athletes may have to return prize money and lose their income for the length of their ban.
Armstrong lost his major sponsors, including Nike, after the doping evidence against him was released.
These consequences are substantial and can last long after the ban ends, as sponsors are reluctant to return.

Reputation and Wellbeing

Athletes who test positive lose the trust of fans, teammates and the public. This stigma often remains even after they return to competition.
Intense media scrutiny and public criticism also place strain on the athlete’s mental health and personal relationships.
This consequence is highly significant because an athlete’s reputation is difficult to rebuild once it has been damaged.

Consequences for Teammates and the Sport

A positive test can also punish others. When a relay runner tests positive, the whole team loses its medal.
For instance, Usain Bolt lost one of his Olympic gold medals in 2008 when his teammate tested positive.
At club level, 34 Essendon players were banned for the 2016 AFL season following the club’s supplements program, damaging the club’s results and reputation.
This shows the consequences extend beyond the individual to the integrity of the whole sport.

Variation in Consequences

However, the consequences are not equally severe in every case. Athletes who prove they did not intend to cheat, such as by showing a supplement was contaminated, may receive a reduced ban.
Some athletes also return after a ban and rebuild their careers, so a positive test is not always career-ending.

Overall Assessment

When all factors are considered, the consequences of testing positive are highly significant, affecting an athlete’s career, income, reputation and wellbeing, as well as their team and sport.
Although the severity varies with intent, the lasting damage to reputation means even a reduced sanction has a major impact.

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Judgement Statement

The consequences for athletes who test positive to performance enhancing drugs are highly significant. They extend well beyond sporting penalties to affect an athlete’s income, reputation and wellbeing, as well as their teammates and sport.
However, the severity varies depending on the circumstances of the violation.

Sporting Sanctions

Athletes who test positive are disqualified from the event, and their results, medals and records are removed.
They also face bans from competition that can last several years, with lifetime bans for the most serious or repeated violations.
For example, Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from professional cycling for life.
These sanctions are highly significant because a ban can cover a large part of an athlete’s short competitive career.

Financial Consequences

A positive test usually leads sponsors to end their contracts, because they do not want their brand linked to cheating.
Athletes may have to return prize money and lose their income for the length of their ban.
Armstrong lost his major sponsors, including Nike, after the doping evidence against him was released.
These consequences are substantial and can last long after the ban ends, as sponsors are reluctant to return.

Reputation and Wellbeing

Athletes who test positive lose the trust of fans, teammates and the public. This stigma often remains even after they return to competition.
Intense media scrutiny and public criticism also place strain on the athlete’s mental health and personal relationships.
This consequence is highly significant because an athlete’s reputation is difficult to rebuild once it has been damaged.

Consequences for Teammates and the Sport

A positive test can also punish others. When a relay runner tests positive, the whole team loses its medal.
For instance, Usain Bolt lost one of his Olympic gold medals in 2008 when his teammate tested positive.
At club level, 34 Essendon players were banned for the 2016 AFL season following the club’s supplements program, damaging the club’s results and reputation.
This shows the consequences extend beyond the individual to the integrity of the whole sport.

Variation in Consequences

However, the consequences are not equally severe in every case. Athletes who prove they did not intend to cheat, such as by showing a supplement was contaminated, may receive a reduced ban.
Some athletes also return after a ban and rebuild their careers, so a positive test is not always career-ending.

Overall Assessment

When all factors are considered, the consequences of testing positive are highly significant, affecting an athlete’s career, income, reputation and wellbeing, as well as their team and sport.
Although the severity varies with intent, the lasting damage to reputation means even a reduced sanction has a major impact.

♦♦ Mean mark 49%.