All athletes who will participate in any sporting event, including Taekwondo tournaments, are sanctioned to undergo drug tests that must be performed only by their respective Anti-Doping Agency that practices the Protocol for Olympic Movement Tests.
In the past, there have already been several athletes who were sanctioned by the board and not allowed to participate in the Taekwondo tournament because they failed this drug test. Therefore, it is imperative that every Taekwondo athlete never refers to the use of drugs just to enhance his potentials.
History of Drug Testing Among Athletes:
The history of drug testing among athletes originates during the Summer Olympics, involving Carl Lewis and Ben Johnson in their 100m competition. Ben Johnson crossed the finish line in a remarkable finish that made him the fastest man alive, but this was soon scrapped after he was positively diagnosed with anabolic steroids in his system a week after the competition.
This revelation prompted the organizers of the Olympic Games to test their participants for urine drugs to ensure that the competition remains fair and equal. Drugs that are prohibited for use by these athletes include stimulant drugs, beta blockers, masking agents, and anabolic androgenic steroids. These drugs are known to help increase and improve sports performance in athletes after taking them, but they also cause various negative side effects that are detrimental to athletes’ health in the long run.
How is the drug test performed?
Drug testing will take place at any time during the competition. The athlete does not know when it will take place, but a doping control representative will notify the athlete if a time has been scheduled for their drug test. He or she will need to comply with the policies and arrive at the doping control station so that he or she can proceed with the drug testing procedure.
The doping control representative allows you to bring a companion, but the athlete must remain within sight of the DC representative during the entire drug testing procedure.
What will happen if the athlete refuses to take the random doping test?
Any athlete who refuses to carry out random doping control will be duly sanctioned by the Organization in charge of the event and may receive a two-year sports suspension, as has happened to Park Hyo Ji, a Taekwondo athlete from South Korea.
How to pass the required drug test for Taekwondo athletes?
There is no surer way to pass the urine test for Taekwondo athletes than to practice a clean and healthy lifestyle. In the end you will be the only benefactor of your healthy life. Don’t kid yourself because honor and prestige earned by hard work are always sweeter compared to those earned by trickery. If in doubt, check the list of prohibited substances and supplements that are available at all area agencies. Again, always cover up, if you’re taking something that’s not on the accepted list, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have performance-enhancing properties. Write to your Doping Regulatory Agency to clarify everything before starting a new or unknown supplement.
Keep in mind the Five Principles of Taekwondo. Be true to your oath as a student and live the principles you were taught.
