Actions that run contrary to the spirit of fair play and also undermine athletes' health should be stopped immediately.
It has been learned that some athletes belonging to track teams at junior and senior high schools have been using intravenous (IV) iron injections and infusions to help increase their stamina.
Such IV medication is typically used to treat severe cases of iron deficiency anemia. The treatment can boost a patient's stamina because it increases hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in the blood. On the other hand, the liver and the heart can be damaged if there is an excessive accumulation of iron in the body.
Among track and field athletes, IV iron treatment started to spread around 2000, mainly among female long-distance runners, who are more likely to suffer from anemia. The Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) issued a warning in April 2016 that IV iron treatment must not be used other than to treat medical conditions, after reports of a case involving an athlete who suffered from a liver disorder as a result of the treatment.
Yet the practice has continued. In many cases, it is believed that the treatment has been recommended by coaches at schools with strong track and field teams. A female athlete who participated in a national ekiden long-distance relay race said: "All five team members had received IV iron treatment," and "Over 3,000 meters, my time improved by 20 seconds to 30 seconds."
Although running records may temporarily improve, the length of an athlete's career could be shortened as a result of having the treatment. That point should be taken into consideration.
Haven't those coaches been sacrificing athletes for the sake of achieving success for themselves? Even if athletes want the treatment, stopping them is the responsibility of their coaches. The JAAF must thoroughly restrict its use.
There are also problems with doctors who accept requests to administer the treatment. Experts point out that it is possible to treat anemia with food or oral medication. They also state that IV iron medication should be limited to the treatment of severe anemia. Medical treatment must be used solely for the purpose of treating medical conditions. The use of IV iron medication for the purpose of improving athletic performance is out of the question.
Safeguard young athletes
Iron is not on the list of prohibited substances. And intravenous iron treatment does not violate regulations. Even so, using iron to improve sporting achievements is not far removed from doping.
A person overcoming the limits of their ability through their own strength is what makes sports so emotionally evocative. As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics approaches, taking measures against doping is an important issue. It is necessary to severely deal with actions similar to doping, too.
High school students participating in the National Sports Festival undergo blood tests. An Ishikawa Prefecture track and field association independently conducted blood tests on female athletes, including those at junior high schools, at an inter-prefectural ekiden long-distance relay race.
At university sports competitions, blood tests are usually conducted. At national inter-high school ekiden races, too, the JAAF, starting from next year, will oblige participating athletes to report the results of blood tests. The measure is necessary to safeguard athletes.
Extracurricular activities at school, including those of school track and field teams, are part of school education and are aimed at increasing students' motivation to learn and fostering a sense of responsibility. At a time when the way those activities should be conducted is being reexamined, it is disappointing that a damaging mind-set solely focused on victory by pursuing any means to win has yet to be eradicated.
As work style reforms for school teachers are promoted, the number of instructors for extracurricular activities who aren't schoolteachers will increase. Responsible instruction methods must be thoroughly established.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2018)
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