MINEPS V: Focus on Doping and Match Fixing

40% of German athletes willingly risk their health, 10% admit having fixed results and 6% having doped. A recent study conducted by the German Sport University Cologne shows that the values of elite sports are imperilled by health risks, illegal fixing and doping. The researchers have examined the dysfunctions of elite sports in Germany and interviewed 2008 people from the general public and 1154 athletes. The results show that while the public is less supportive of financing elite sports in light of the increase of illegal fixing and manipulation, support grows the more the athletes put their health at risk. At the same time these interviewees assume that 29% of the elite athletes dope frequently. A significant number of athletes meanwhile didn't reply at all to questions on doping and fixing. As with the reasons for these developments only 12,7% of the public refer to existential fear, whereas 57,7% of the athletes mention this motive. Furthermore 79,8% of the athletes refer to pressure caused by the social environment, while pressure to succeed has been named by 88,6%. Finally the researchers have identified a consensus between the public and the athletes inasmuch as both groups think that doping clearly contradicts the values of sport such as performance, fair play or solidarity.

Against this background the 5th International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport covers the issues of match fixing, doping and corruption in sport. Entitled “Preserving the Integrity of Sport” one section will provide ministers, senior government officials from all UNESCO Member States as well as representatives from non-governmental organisations with the opportunity of debating, exchanging ideas and negotiating possible law enforcement and regulatory measures against the detrimental impacts caused by corruption, manipulation and match fixing.

For more information on MINEPS V please visit www.mineps2013.de

The study document meanwhile can be obtained from www.bisp.de

Ed.: Ben Weinberg