| The action of taking a banned substance to | | | | horses a potent mixture to make them run |
| improve performance in sport is referred to as | | | | faster, while many gladiators where doped up to |
| doping. The term dope originated from South | | | | make their fights sufficiently vigorous and bloody |
| Africa where it was used to describe a primitive | | | | for the paying public to view. |
| alcoholic drink that was used as a stimulant at | | | | Christian Period |
| ceremonial dances. Over time the term doping | | | | During the Christian era sport played a small role |
| graduated to a sporting context where it is | | | | in society with only sports such as boxing being |
| referred to as athletes using a banned substance | | | | offered as a substitute for the games of the |
| or methods that may improve sporting | | | | Roman period. Seeing as sport did not have a high |
| performance. The term doping first appeared in | | | | place in society in this period, drugs in sport was |
| an English dictionary in 1879, however drugs in | | | | not an issue as there were no rewards for |
| sport have been evident throughout the history | | | | success. |
| of sport. | | | | The 19th Century |
| BC Period | | | | The 19th century once again saw the introduction |
| Sport played a large role in society in BC times. | | | | of sport in society as a social priority, therefore |
| Around the period of 800BC emphasis was placed | | | | drugs in sport became more evident in this period |
| on the artistic nature of sport on top of being a | | | | as opposed to the Christian era. With the onset |
| preparatory method for the warriors of that time. | | | | of the industrial revolution in the late 19th century |
| However from 400BC sport received a new | | | | there became increasing methods in both the |
| status whereby it was of similar priority, if not | | | | development of sport and sports performance |
| higher than it is in modern times, therefore seeing | | | | enhancement. By the turn of the century sport |
| the demise of the amateur competitor. | | | | had developed a significant institution in its own |
| Professional sport ultimately led to corruption and | | | | right and to succeed in sport became highly |
| cheating, with competitors willing to invest in any | | | | valued. This placed pressure which has contributed |
| preparation which would lead to victory. In this | | | | to the escalation in drug taking in sport, as well as |
| period a method that was thought to lead to a | | | | the number of drug related deaths in the sporting |
| higher level of sporting performance was | | | | community. |
| consuming extracts of mushrooms and plant | | | | Modern Times |
| seeds. | | | | In 1988 in Australia the national Senate Standing |
| Period | | | | Committee on Environment, Recreation and the |
| Through evolution from the BC Greek period to | | | | Arts began an inquiry into the use of drugs by |
| the Roman Empire period, the status of sport | | | | Australian athletes. This enquiry led to the |
| continued to develop. The use of drugs in this | | | | establishment of the Australian Drug Sports |
| period was well recorded, chariot racers feed their | | | | Agency (ASDA) in 1990. |