Professional sport is a billion-dollar industry that revolves around big money and sponsorships. Many athletes rely on certain substances such as caffeine and alcohol, and chemical enhancers to perform better during competitions. And thus, the problem becomes much more complicated when we consider electronic sports (esports), as the rules and regulations are not as clear-cut as those for professional sports.
Esport is gaining popularity rapidly, especially among young people. Most notably, the multiplayer video game League of Legends by Riot Games drew in 32 million viewers worldwide to watch teams compete for their chance at a $2 million prize pool. While e-sport professionals do not make as much as top athletes per year, they can still make a living wage playing their favorite game professionally.
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Should Esport professionals use PED’s or not?
One of the biggest concerns surrounding esport is whether or not its professionals should be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) such as Ritalin and Adderall during competitions, just like with professional athletes. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has created a list of prohibited substances that athletes cannot take, such as certain anabolic steroids and stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall. To be considered doping, these substances must meet two of three criteria:
- They enhance performance.
- They pose a threat to the athlete’s health.
- They breach ‘the spirit of sport.’
A substance does not have to meet all three criteria to be banned.
However, WADA has no power over esport professionals, so it is up to each individual e-sport governing body to decide whether or not it will ban PEDs like Ritalin and Adderall. For example, Riot Games has banned esport players from taking ADHD medication during tournaments. Other esport competitors can handle these types of drugs as long as they have a valid prescription for it; however, they will still be tested at every match before playing to ensure that they are not using the drug for non-therapeutic reasons.
Some individuals, like Sasha Hostyn (a professional e-sport athlete), take Ritalin and Adderall to help them focus better when playing StarCraft II against opponents who are much faster at clicking the mouse than they are. Some players believe this gives her a distinct advantage over the others. Esport professionals have been known to use many types of drugs and substances designed for therapeutic purposes, such as beta-blockers and testosterone replacement therapy.
The question is: should esport athletes be held to the same standards as professional athletes? Should they be allowed to take Ritalin for ADHD and Adderall for concentration while competing if they have a valid prescription? Should WADA extend its regulations to esport competitions, or is it good enough that each esport association bans PEDs in its tournaments?
Talking about popularity and money generating esport:-
Professional esport is a billion-dollar industry that revolves around big money and sponsorships. Many athletes rely on certain substances such as caffeine and alcohol, and chemical enhancers to perform better during competitions. Thus making the problem much more complicated when we consider electronic sports (esport), as the rules and regulations are not as clear-cut as those for professional sports.
Esport is gaining popularity rapidly in this dynamic era, especially among young people. Most notably, the multiplayer video game League of Legends by Riot Games drew in 32 million viewers worldwide to watch teams compete for their chance at a $2 million prize pool. While e-sport professionals do not make as much as top athletes per year, they can still make a living wage playing their favorite game professionally.
One of the biggest concerns surrounding esport is whether or not its professionals should be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) such as Ritalin and Adderall during competitions, just like with professional athletes. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has created a list of prohibited substances that athletes cannot take, such as certain anabolic steroids and stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall.
To be considered doping, these substances must meet two of three criteria:
- They enhance performance;
- Even they pose a threat to the health of the athlete;
- They breach ‘the spirit of sport.’
A substance does not have to meet all three criteria for being banned
