Discordant public perception of doping in elite versus recreational sport in Switzerland

To assess public awareness of performance-enhancing drug use, that is, doping in sport in Switzerland.

Representative telephone survey in September 1995.

Two of the three Swiss linguistic areas (French and German), representing 96% of the entire Swiss population.

A total of 1201 respondents between 18 to 74 years old, selected by stratified random sampling.

Perception of the doping problem in elite versus recreational sport, estimated prevalence of doping in different sports, parents' decisions to keep children out of sport because of doping.

The use of doping in sport was perceived as a "somewhat serious problem" or "very serious problem" by 84% of the respondents for elite sport and by 44% for recreational sport (p < 0.01 for difference). Doping was mostly perceived to represent a physical health problem or an ethical problem. Track and field (79%) and cycling (27%) were most often cited as sports having doping problems, and 35% of the respondents believed that > 60% of bodybuilders use doping. The black market (91%), athletes and trainers (80%), and fitness centers (74%) were the most frequently mentioned sources of doping substances. Thirteen of 14 parents would not dissuade their children from participating in sport because of a concern about the problems of doping.

The Swiss population perceives a high prevalence of doping in sports. There is a clear distinction, however, made by the respondents between the estimated prevalence of doping in elite sport, seen overwhelmingly as a "very serious problem" or "somewhat serious problem," and recreational sport, in which doping is less often seen as a problem. Doping is considered a serious threat to health and ethics in sport, but despite this judgment, only a few parents would hold back their children from sport because of the risks of doping.