What is Doping

Doping is the use of banned substances or methods to improve the performance of athletes. The most common doping substances are stimulants, such as caffeine and amphetamines, and anabolic steroids. Doping can also include blood doping, which is the injection of red blood cells or a blood-related product to increase the amount of oxygen carried by the blood.

Doping is a form of cheating and can lead to suspensions from competition. While there are many different types of doping, the most common are the use of performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids, human growth hormone and erythropoietin (EPO). Other forms of doping include blood doping (the use of blood transfusions or artificial oxygen carriers to increase red cell mass), using banned stimulants or masking agents and taking advantage of loopholes in anti-doping rules.