Doping : Sports, Organizations and Sciences

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/doping

Introduction

### Course Review: Doping: Sports, Organizations and Sciences In the ever-evolving landscape of sports, doping remains one of the most controversial and complex issues. The **Coursera course "Doping: Sports, Organizations and Sciences"** provides an in-depth exploration of this topic from a multidimensional perspective, examining the societal, psychological, and organizational aspects of doping in sports. This critical examination uncovers the nuances behind this global dilemma, making it essential for anyone interested in sports, ethics, or organizational behavior. #### Course Overview The primary objective of this course is to foster a critical understanding of doping. By employing a multidisciplinary approach, students are encouraged to appreciate the complexities surrounding the topic, understanding that doping is not just a matter of cheating but a phenomenon shaped by various factors, including culture, psychology, and institutional dynamics. #### Syllabus Breakdown The course comprises four modules, each meticulously designed to delve deeper into different aspects of doping. **Module 1: What is Doping?** In this introductory module, the course provides a foundational understanding of how doping is defined and identified. It challenges students to think critically about the societal norms that dictate what constitutes doping and offers a historical evolution of its definitions, particularly the legal framework established by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA). This module sets the stage for the deeper inquiries that follow, prompting participants to consider the implications of these norms on athletes and sports as a whole. **Module 2: Why Do Athletes Give in to Doping?** This module takes a more psychological and sociological approach, moving beyond the simplistic binary of cheaters vs. non-cheaters. It investigates the nuanced motivations behind athletes’ decisions to engage in doping, incorporating insights from an interview with Denis Hauw, a prominent sports psychology expert. By synthesizing social and psychological factors along with cultural influences, this module provides valuable context for understanding why doping persists in competitive sports. **Module 3: Organizations and Doping: Prevention and Repression** Focusing on the role of sports organizations, this module highlights the preventative and punitive measures taken by entities like UEFA and UCI in combating doping. Through interviews with key figures from WADA, UEFA, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), students gain first-hand insights into the structure and challenges of anti-doping efforts. This module effectively illustrates how organizations navigate the complex interplay between ethics, fairness, and competition, shedding light on their pivotal roles in maintaining the integrity of sports. **Module 4: Bioanalytical and Forensic Approaches to Doping** Delving into the scientific side of doping, this module introduces students to methods of detection and analysis employed in doping cases. Featuring interviews with leading experts from the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analysis (LAD), students explore bioanalytical techniques, the functionality of biological passports, and innovative approaches to detecting doping. This scientific perspective complements previous discussions and highlights the ongoing evolution of methodologies in the fight against doping. #### Recommendation "Doping: Sports, Organizations and Sciences" is an exceptional course that not only conveys critical information about doping in sports but does so through a lens that combines various disciplines. Its well-structured modules engage learners in meaningful discussions about the ethical, psychological, and organizational implications of doping. Whether you are a sports enthusiast, an athlete, a coach, or someone interested in the intersection of ethics and sports management, this course is highly beneficial. It empowers participants to critically analyze doping and its ramifications, ultimately promoting informed dialogue and awareness about integrity in sports. In conclusion, I strongly recommend this course for anyone looking to gain a comprehensive, well-rounded understanding of doping's multifaceted nature. It's both enlightening and engaging, making it a valuable addition to your educational journey on Coursera.

Syllabus

Module 1- What is doping ?

The first module explores the identification and the definition of doping. It offers a critical approach inspired by social science methods, so as to understand doping as a social norm that shapes performance producing. We will take a look at definitions of doping throughout history as well as the legal definition that is used today, the one put into place by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA).

By going beyond a binary vision that opposes those who cheat and those who don’t, Module 2 will help you understand what might lead ordinary individuals into substance-use. The analysis of the process that lead to doping will be approached through the social and psycho-social factors behind doping, as well as the role of culture and of sports organisations will be raised. This module includes an interview with Denis Hauw, sports psychology expert and Associate Professor at the Institute of Sport Studies at the University of Lausanne.

Module 3 will help you understand the role of sports organisations in the fight against doping through two examples: the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). This module will also explore the role of organisations in charge of fighting against doping, by presenting two major actors: the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) whose activities are also linked to doping. These organisations will be presented through four interviews with: Frédéric Donzé, the director of the European branch of the WADA ; Marc Vouillamoz, Head of UEFA's antidoping unit ; Matthieu Reeb, the Secretary general of the CAS; Olivier Aubel, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Sport Studies the the University of Lausanne, who will present the new measures put into place by the UCI to prevent doping in cycling.

Module four presents bioanalytical and forensic substance detection and analysis methods. It is made up of 4 interviews carried out with doping experts from the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analysis (LAD) in Lausanne (Switzerland), that will explain: - how bioanalyses are carried out (Norbert Baume, head scientist at the LAD); - how the biological passport works (Neil Robinson, head scientist at the LAD); - forensic approaches to doping (François Marclay, research scientist at the LAD); - atypical analysis results and the evolution of the future of the fight against doping (Martial Saugy, director of the LAD).