Formation and development of the anti-doping management system

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive historical and analytical review of the formation and development of the anti-doping governance system in global sports. It focuses on the long-term evolution of the fight against prohibited substances and methods, from isolated cases of stimulant use in antiquity to the creation of a unified global system based on advanced control technologies in the 21st century. Key stages of institution-building are examined in detail: from the first national legislative initiatives of the mid-20th century and international conventions to the creation of the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) and the adoption of the World Anti-Doping Code as the basis for unified regulation. Particular emphasis is placed on the profound transformation of the sports community’s values – from the prevailing cult of victory at any cost to the modern priority of athlete health, fair play, and equal playing field. This analysis of contemporary challenges examines aspects such as the ongoing technological arms race with new forms of doping, structural and governance issues at the global level, and the key role of national anti-doping organizations (NADOs) in the practical implementation of international standards. The article concludes that anti-doping governance is a dynamic and multidimensional process that reflects the fundamental ethical, legal, and social dilemmas of modern sport.