Chairperson, the use of steroids and other drugs to boost performance in athletics can be associated with the hunger and pressure to run faster, jump higher and be stronger.
Challenges regarding testing do exist, where some flu and headache medication contains substances prohibited by the International Olympic Committee. Even asthma pumps and certain anti-inflammatory cortisone preparations are prohibited.
It is a great concern that approximately 80% of South African sportspersons are ignorant of the substances banned by the IOC at the Commonwealth Games in 1998. However, the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport, the SA Sports Confederation, the Olympics Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency are all working hard to inculcate drug-free sport and awareness.
It is extremely worrying that the abuse of steroids has extended into our schools. Children are often pressured to use these to win. A survey in 1999 showed that 22,7% per 1 000 Grade 12 pupils in Johannesburg and 5,9% per 1 000 Grade 12 pupils in Cape Town, totalling 2 547 collectively in these areas, were very likely to use anabolic and androgenic steroids. That definitely suggests that a greater awareness of anti-doping laws needs to be instituted in all sports federations, and taken to schools.
It's promising that this Bill serves to earnestly address doping in sport in South Africa. The MF supports the amending Bill. [Time expired.]