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World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada): Wada Happening with Drugs in Sport?
Which drugs are we talking about?
| Drug name | Type | Effect | Health Impact | Ability to detect |
| Nandrolone | Anabolic steroid | Muscle and bone development. Red blood cell boost. | Short term reversed gender characteristics. Long term liver and heart problems. | Testable but controversy over presence in dietary supplements. |
| Human Growth Hormone (HGH) | Anabolic hormone | Muscle development. Speeds recovery. | Acromegaly - hands and facial bones grow. Heart, liver and kidney growth. Cardiomyopathy - disease of heart muscle. | IOC launched a programme called HGH 2000 in 1996 to find a test for Sydney Olympics, but failed. |
| Erythropoietin (EPO) | Hormone | Boost production of red blood cells so useful in endurance events. | Damage to heart caused by excess red cells making blood too viscous. Heart failure. | Naturally occurring hormone, so no valid test exists. |
| Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) | Anabolic steroid | Muscle and bone development. Red blood cell boost. | As with nandrolone, but as a 'designer' drug, has not been tested, so users are 'guinea pigs'. | New test devised summer 2003. |
In addition there are other substances used to boost performance, including beta blockers which are used to reduce nervousness and help steady the hand; these have been used in sports such as archery, shooting and snooker.