NOS Sport•
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Sarah Westphal
the Darts World Cup will follow in London
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Sarah Westphal
the Darts World Cup will follow in London
Doping in darts. To many people it sounds like a contradiction. No sprints, no muscle mass, no explosive power. However, English darts player Dom Taylor has to leave the World Cup again now that he has violated the doping rules, just like last year.
The case raises questions. How does doping control work in a sport where concentration is more important than physical strength? And: what is allowed and – especially – what is not allowed? And why would a darts player use doping at all? Darts is not about strength or endurance, but about focus and precision.
“There are substances with a calming effect,” says a spokesperson for the Dutch Doping Authority. “They can help with concentration or lower the heart rate. Classic doping agents for muscle building or fitness are hardly relevant in darts.”
Own rules, own punishments
“That is not unique,” the spokesperson continues. “Organizations such as the NFL and the NBA also work with their own doping regulations.” There is a risk in that. “Own regulations also mean own requirements and own sanctions.”
For example, within the PDC, punishments can be different and often milder. Taylor was suspended for just a month last year. “Maybe that sentence was too low,” the spokesperson said. “And this second incident is a consequence of that.”
For sports that fall under WADA, the sanctions are fixed. “If you make a mistake once, for example, a two-year suspension will follow. If you commit a second offense, it will be four years.”
According to the Dutch darts association, drug use does not necessarily have to be intended to improve performance. Director Paul Engelbertink: “It can be twofold. Sometimes banned substances are in food, drinks or supplements without anyone knowing.”
“But it can also involve recreational use. Then players underestimate that residues of cocaine, for example, remain in the body for a long time and that you can be punished for this months later.”
Alcohol not prohibited
Alcohol is not prohibited in darts and many other sports. But according to Engelbertink it provides no benefit. “It may make you more relaxed, but not sharper.”
“And if you play a tournament all day, when do you stop? That can hardly go well.” The director of the darts association continues: “Without alcohol you are demonstrably sharper.”
Doping cases are rare in darts, but not unique. Earlier this year, the Austrian became Rusty-Jake Rodriguez was suspended and about ten years ago BDO world champion Richie Burnett was exposed. He received an eighteen-month suspension after testing positive for cocaine. Two years later the same thing happened to Englishman Kevin McDine.
A donkey doesn’t hit the same stone twice, the saying goes. But Taylor does. Last year he was tested at a Players Championship event. A banned substance was also found at that time, which, according to the association, did not enhance performance. The punishment was mild: one month suspension.
That light sanction made a quick return possible. It is not yet known what the consequences of this second violation will be.
“It hurt a lot that I couldn’t participate in the World Cup last year,” Taylor said last Sunday. “I didn’t speak to anyone at all. It was the biggest disappointment of my life, but I fought back and here I am again.”
For the time being, this ‘weather’ is short-lived.
