DRUGS IN SPORTS

The use of doping - medications intended to artificially enhance athletic performance, remains a serious and widespread phenomenon in elite sports, despite strict prohibitions. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) annually updates its list of banned substances and monitors their use through blood and urine testing, conducted by certified laboratories using proven methods, such as gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Despite these efforts, violations persist, and the list of substances used continues to grow and diversify. The main groups of doping agents include: anabolic steroids, hormones, stimulants, beta-blockers, diuretics and analgesics. Gene doping is a new and difficult-to-detect form of doping which raises serious ethical and health concerns and requires new approaches for detection and control. Conclusion. Doping remains a significant and multifaceted problem in modern sports. Despite strict bans and evolving control methods, athletes and coaches often rely on substances with limited scientifically proven effectiveness, which pose numerous health hazards. The emergence of new technologies, such as gene doping further complicates the situation. More effective regulations, increased awareness, and a strictly scientific approach are essential in the fight against doping.