Elite athletes face challenges with mental health and medication use, including potential doping concerns.

Elite athletes face challenges dealing with mental health issues and using medications, as revealed by gymnast Simone Biles' withdrawal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The use of psychotropic medications, which affect mood, thoughts, perception, or behavior, raises questions about whether their use should be considered doping. While antipsychotics may impair athletes, stimulants can enhance performance, which aligns with the reasons for their inclusion in the WADA Prohibited List. The article highlights the complexity of balancing athletes' mental health needs with anti-doping regulations, as the side effects of medications might have performance-enhancing effects.

August 08, 2024
3 Articles