County Level

Many athletes suggest that doping doesn't become an option for them until they reach a higher level of sport. Whilst doping may not occur often in lower level athletics, every athlete has to rise through the ranks at somepoint and the lower levels should be used to teach up and coming athletes how to deal with the increase in competition cleanly.

Amber Anning broke the European Age 14 record for 300m last year. Now at the age of 16, she is proving to live up to the hype by being the fastest 200m and 300m sprinter in her U17 age group. Competing for Brighton and Hove AC, she specialises in a plethora of other events such as triple jump and even plays county netball. Research suggests female athletes tend to have less accepting views on doping than male athletes. The naturally talented athlete explains what it's like being one of the hottest prospects in athletics and how doping stigmas affect her.

Whilst Amber may be at the peak of her age group, county level is where many kids start out and learn to love the sport. Doping may not even be an issue for them yet and their only knowledge might be from what they heard on the news or were told by their parents. Should more be done to teach kids about the positive effects of clean sport at the earliest possible age?

Lewes Athletics Club produced Olympic 3km Steeplechase phenomenon Rob Mullett who flew out to Rio with his coach Dave Leach thanks to a crowdfunding project ran by the club. Built up by volunteers, there's very little money at Lewes or in county level athletics at all. However, education on doping at this first point of contact could possibly go on to prevent athletes from experimenting later in their careers. I spoke to some of the club's finest young hopefuls about why they love athletics and how much they know about the doping taboo.

These young athletes tend to be taught by coaches who have been through vigorous British Athletics courses warning of the dangers of drug abuse. Barry Roydon teaches long distance at Medway and Maidstone AC. He agrees with the young athletes above that track and field should be about enjoyment for kids rather than the science behind it.

Andy Midwinter is one of the people tasked with stopping the cheats. He is a level four British Athletics Official, meaning he works almost every weekend of the year making sure athletes adhere to rules and regulations. This can be from a county level park run right up to the World Championships. He explains how they catch the cheats and what sort of signifiers they look out for in young athletes.

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