Social and psychological repercussions (for the sport and the performer).

The idea

Doping harms both the sport and the individual. For the sport, a positive test can damage its reputation, reduce spectator trust, cut sponsorship and media income, and make clean athletes doubt fair play. For the performer, consequences include a ban from competition, loss of medals or records, shame and public criticism, loss of income and sponsorship, damaged relationships with teammates and coaches, and psychological effects such as guilt, anxiety, depression and loss of identity. A concrete example is a sprinter who tests positive: the sport's image suffers, and the performer faces a ban, stripped titles and mental health difficulties. The severity depends on the drug, the level of competition and whether the athlete is a repeat offender.

What earns the marks

• Social repercussions for the sport include damaged reputation, loss of public trust, reduced sponsorship and media coverage, and negative role-model status.
• Social repercussions for the performer include public shame, criticism from fans and media, damaged relationships with teammates, coaches and family, and loss of status.
• Psychological repercussions for the performer include guilt, anxiety, depression, loss of self-esteem, identity crisis and fear of detection.
• Psychological repercussions for the sport include reduced confidence in fair play among clean athletes and spectators, and a culture of suspicion.
• Consequences can be short-term (ban, immediate criticism) or long-term (career loss, reputational damage, mental health issues).
• The severity of repercussions depends on factors such as the type of drug, the level of competition, whether it is a first or repeat offence, and the performer's public profile.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Misunderstanding: only the performer is affected.

  Put it right: The sport also suffers through damaged reputation, lost sponsorship and reduced trust.

• Misunderstanding: psychological effects are limited to guilt.

  Put it right: They can include anxiety, depression, loss of identity and fear of detection.

• Misunderstanding: all doping bans are the same length.

  Put it right: Sanctions vary by substance, level of competition and whether it is a repeat offence.

• Misunderstanding: social repercussions only affect the performer's family.

  Put it right: They extend to teammates, coaches, fans, sponsors and the wider sport.

Exam tips

• Separate your answer into 'for the sport' and 'for the performer' to ensure you cover both parts of the statement.
• Use specific examples of social and psychological effects rather than vague words like 'bad' or 'upset'.
• Link each repercussion to a real consequence, such as loss of sponsorship, a ban, or mental health difficulties.