Some thoughts and reflections on doping in racing pigeons

Doping is a major problem in all sports, including pigeon racing. Unlike other sports, in pigeon racing, doping is mainly considered from a purely medical and analytical point of view. In human sport, a great deal of social science research has been carried out to understand doping at the human level and to understand why people decide to cross the red line. This approach enables athletes to better understand how to justify the ban on doping and why doping must be fought. Doping has all the characteristics of a "wicked problem", as defined in 1973 by Rittel and Weber. It is therefore illusory and doomed to failure to try and find a single, definitive solution. A holistic approach including cultural, economic and social changes is needed, especially as we live today in what is defined as a "dopogenic society". In addition to this more "social science based" reflection on doping, some technical elements will also be presented.