Why Cocaine is Considered Performance-Enhancing for Athletes, and Why It Matters When They Took It
Australian Rules Football has recently been the center of several controversies involving the use of illicit drugs, particularly cocaine. Just last year, Joel Smith of the Melbourne Demons and two Sydney Swans AFLW players were embroiled in cocaine-related scandals. These incidents have sparked debates about the relationship between athletes and the use of cocaine, whether for recreational purposes or as an attempt to enhance performance.
What is Cocaine and is it Performance Enhancing?
Cocaine, a powerful and addictive stimulant derived from the coca plant, is known for increasing dopamine levels in the brain, leading to feelings of euphoria, heightened energy, and alertness. While these effects make cocaine attractive for recreational use, it’s the potential for increased focus, endurance, and confidence that has categorized it as a performance-enhancing drug under the World Anti-Doping Code.
However, the reality is that the benefits for athletes are questionable at best. The drug’s effects are brief, and the downsides—including impaired judgment and a host of health risks—are significant. It’s doubtful that an athlete would use cocaine to intentionally improve their performance, especially considering the stringent anti-doping measures in place.
Recreational vs. Performance-Enhancing Use
The case of the Sydney Swans AFLW players who were caught using cocaine out of competition highlights a crucial distinction. As their use was considered recreational, occurring after the season’s end, their punishment was relatively mild: 12-month conditional release orders with no convictions recorded.
On the other hand, Joel Smith’s case is more severe. His positive cocaine test came on a game day, suggesting it could have been for performance-enhancement purposes. This distinction significantly affects the potential punishments, with Smith facing a possible four-year ban under the AFL’s anti-doping code.
Can Urine Testing Determine When Someone Took Cocaine?
Identifying the exact timing of drug use is critical in cases like these. Advanced scientific instruments can measure cocaine and its metabolites in urine at extremely low levels, but simply detecting the drug doesn’t reveal when it was used. Factors such as the amount taken, the method of administration, and the individual’s metabolism all affect how long cocaine and its byproducts remain detectable.
Current scientific studies providing data on these aspects often don’t reflect the conditions of elite athletic performance or recreational use, making it challenging to pinpoint the timing of drug use accurately. Until more relevant research is conducted, especially focusing on athletes, determining the exact day of cocaine ingestion remains complex.
Why is Cocaine Still Considered Performance-Enhancing?
Despite the dubious benefits, cocaine remains on the Prohibited List because it can potentially enhance performance, represent a health risk, and violate the spirit of sport. The risks athletes take by using cocaine—both health-wise and career-wise—far outweigh any minimal gains they might achieve on the field. Cocaine’s inclusion serves as a deterrent, emphasizing the importance of fair play and integrity in sports.
In the world of competitive sports, the line between recreational and performance-enhancing drug use is thin but crucial. As the cases of the AFL players show, when and why athletes choose to use substances like cocaine can have significant implications for their careers and lives.
Divya 
Mehek