The Darkness Corrupting Children: 10 Million Involved in Doping! What is the Global Sports Crisis?

"Winning at All Costs" Destroys Children: The Doping Issue Affecting an Estimated 10 Million Worldwide

Records improved. Selected for the national team. Stood on the podium.

For adults watching over children's sports, these are joyous moments. However, are the child's health and will being sufficiently protected in the process leading to these results?

Viewing doping merely as a problem of athletes cheating to win obscures other issues. When athletes are minors, adults have significant influence over medication, body management, training environments, and future choices.

An investigation reported by Germany's public broadcaster ARD on November 8, 2026, reexamined this issue on a global scale. The report highlighted an estimate that at least 10 million minors are affected by doping.

It's a shocking number. However, rather than just being surprised, we should start by confirming what this number means and what it doesn't.

"10 Million" Does Not Mean the Number of Children Who Tested Positive

According to ARD's explanation, the estimate is based on a global population of approximately 200 million children involved in competitive sports and 44 surveys from 15 countries. The surveys reported a 5-6% involvement with doping, leading to the 10 million figure.

It's important to note that this is not the result of a uniform global survey of children. Each survey varied in timing, sample size, and method, and there is no comprehensive global survey, as ARD explains.

Therefore, it cannot be interpreted as "10 million violations confirmed worldwide" or "5% of children in every country are doping." The phrase "at least" does not imply that a strict lower limit has been established through global statistical surveys.

This estimate should be taken as a warning to consider the magnitude of the issue, while also conveying the inherent uncertainties.

In particular, using this percentage to calculate the number of affected individuals in Japan by applying it to the number of junior athletes should be avoided, as it overlooks differences in competitive environments and survey subjects across countries.

The Number Found in Tests Is Not the Whole Picture

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)'s "Operation Refuge" report provides another perspective on the issue.

This report states that between January 2012 and September 1, 2023, 1,518 positive findings were recorded for 1,416 minors. However, not all positive findings lead to rule violations or sanctions.

It's important to distinguish between "substances detected in tests" and "violations confirmed through procedures."

Moreover, test results are derived from the group that was tested. The focus of testing on certain sports, age groups, or scenarios can change the visible picture.

Surveys also have limitations influenced by respondents' memories, declarations, and the definitions of questions. Tests and surveys capture different parts of the problem using different methods.

Therefore, caution is needed when simply dividing the large estimated number by the annual detection number and treating it as a precise "discovery rate." If the target groups or periods are not aligned, the calculation results may become misleading.

Reading numbers carefully does not mean downplaying the issue. It is the foundation for not misjudging necessary measures.

Did the Children Really "Choose for Themselves"?

When considering doping among minors, it's necessary to look at the environment that led to their actions, not just their actions alone.

For example, would a child ask detailed questions about the ingredients and purpose of something handed to them by a coach? Could they refuse if the entire team is using the same thing?

This is not a reenactment of events in a specific team. It is a question to consider the "consent" of children.

There is an information and authority gap between adults with specialized knowledge necessary for competition and the children learning from them. It's even harder to voice opinions if the person is involved in team selection or participation opportunities.

The fact that a child nodded does not necessarily mean they received sufficient explanation and made a free judgment.

Of course, not all cases involving minors can be explained by the same circumstances. The degree of awareness and involvement of the individual needs to be confirmed individually. That's why a response that presumes "it's solely the child's responsibility" from the start won't address the root cause.

Another Form of Harm Continues Even After Discovery

WADA's report highlights not only the issue of banned substances but also the severe psychological burden and isolation children experience after positive results or sanctions.

Sports can be a place for children to practice, as well as a space that supports friendships, daily life, and self-confidence. When those connections are suddenly lost, the impact extends beyond just athletic performance.

It is necessary to balance advancing measures against misconduct with not isolating the individual.

Receiving explanations about the circumstances, having a safe space to consult, considering school life and mental and physical conditions, and fairly investigating the involvement of surrounding adults.

These are not measures to overlook violations but supports necessary to appropriately proceed with procedures involving children.

If we teach that "following rules is important," adults must also demonstrate a stance of verifying facts, treating them fairly, and respecting individuals when problems arise.

"Protect the Children" and "Maintain Fairness" Seen on Social Media

Regarding the ARD report itself, I could not sufficiently confirm the reactions of general users. Therefore, I will introduce social media posts related to past cases. It is necessary to read these separately from the reactions to the current report.

In February 2022, during the doping controversy surrounding then-15-year-old figure skater Kamila Valieva, concerns about the participation of many children in international competitions and posts worrying about the individual were observed in Reddit's gymnastics community.

There was a perspective of viewing the issue of a single athlete as a problem of the entire environment surrounding young athletes.

In the Olympic-related community at the same time, opinions pointing out the influence of surrounding coaches and posts questioning the handling of doping-related results and medals were also seen.

These posts do not represent the opinions of all social media. Moreover, speculations and assertions by the posters do not serve as evidence for determining the responsibility of those involved.

Nevertheless, the two concerns that emerged in the discussions are important. One is "Are children being harmed for the convenience of adults?" The other is "Are other athletes who followed the rules being disadvantaged?"

There is no need to choose between protecting children and maintaining fairness in competition. Both protecting children while appropriately handling competition results and investigating the responsibilities of those around them are required.

In Japan, Start by Considering "Building the Body"

Viewing this issue merely as a special incident overseas would miss its significance for Japanese readers.

A more accessible entry point is who and how decisions are made regarding the diet, recovery, and body-building of athletes in their growth phase.

The Japan Sports Agency's High Performance Sports Center explains that it is important not to indiscriminately recommend supplement intake to junior athletes but to develop healthy body-building and eating habits.

This is not equating the use of supplements with intentional doping. It is a perspective to consider whether "something taken to become stronger" has become a habit without confirming its necessity.

Additionally, the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA) explains that supplements may contain substances not listed on the label, and the presence of banned substances cannot be determined by product name alone.

Impressions such as "a famous athlete introduced it," "everyone on the team uses it," or "it's naturally derived, so it's safe" are separate from checking ingredients and risks.

It's important not to deny necessary treatments or view all nutritional supplements as dangerous, but to clarify what they are used for, who judged their necessity, and who to consult if there are doubts.

"No Disadvantage Even If You Refuse" Should Not End as Mere Words

Based on the report and related materials, here are some measures to consider in the development field in Japan.

Firstly, ensure that children and their guardians can confirm the information about medications and supplements given to them. Avoid a situation where they accept things based solely on trust without knowing the name or purpose.

Secondly, establish channels for consultation outside of the coach. If the subject of doubt is the coach's instruction, a system where only the coach can be consulted is not functional.

Thirdly, ensure that refusing or asking questions does not result in disadvantages in participation opportunities or relationships. It's not enough to just say "you can consult about anything"; the attitude of adults when actually questioned is crucial.

Fourthly, secure support after a problem arises, separate from considering sanctions. Provide explanations that allow the individual and family to understand the situation, consider academic needs, and offer psychological support if necessary.

These are not proposals based on the premise that misconduct is occurring in all fields. They are mechanisms to prevent decisions affecting children's health from being left solely to trust in specific adults.

Do Not Diminish Children's Futures Over Medal Value

The estimate of 10 million has methodological limitations. It does not indicate that the same proportion of problems is occurring in Japan.

Nonetheless, the uncertainty of the numbers should not be a reason to overlook the already recorded isolation of children and issues in the development environment.

If we continue to ask children "what is necessary to win," adults should also be questioned on "what should not be done for victory."

Even if records do not improve, if their bodies grow and their approach to competition changes, or if they ask questions or refuse, the child's value does not decrease.

For sports to be a place that broadens children's futures, it requires not only the power to send them to the podium but also the power to protect their bodies and will from the expectations of adults eager for results.

Sources and References

1. Sportschau: Video page published on November 8, 2026. ARD's investigative report on the doping issue among minors.
   https://www.sportschau.de/erschuetternde-bilanz-mindestens-zehn-millionen-gedopte-kinder,video-geheimsache-doping-kinder-100.html

2. Sportschau: Article explaining the basis of the estimate. Confirms the approximately 200 million competitive population, 44 surveys from 15 countries, differences in survey methods, and the absence of a comprehensive global survey.
   https://www.sportschau.de/investigativ/erschuetternde-bilanz-mindestens-zehn-millionen-gedopte-kinder,gedopte-kinder-100.htmlsportschau.de

3. WADA "Operation Refuge" Public Report (January 24, 2024). Primary source on 1,416 minors, 1,518 positive findings, the aggregation period, the difference between positive findings and violation recognition, and psychological burden and isolation.
   https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/wada_public_report_-_operation_refuge_24jan.pdfwada-ama.org

4. Related posts in Reddit's gymnastics community (February 2022). Posts discussing children's participation in international competitions and protection, triggered by the Valieva issue. Not reactions to the current ARD report.
   https://www.reddit.com/r/Gymnastics/comments/sokmjr

5. Related posts in Reddit's Olympics community (February 2022). Opinions on the influence of coaches and the fairness of competition results and medals. The content reflects users' views and is not used as evidence for fact recognition.
   https://www.reddit.com/r/olympics/comments/sogkql

6. Japan Sports Agency "Before Using Supplements." Considerations for junior athletes' eating habits and body-building and the necessity of supplements.
   https://www.jpnsport.go.jp/hpsc/study/sports_nutrition/supplementuse/tabid/1507/Default.aspxjpnsport.go.jp

7. Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA) "Frequently Asked Questions." Confirms that the presence of banned substances cannot be determined by supplement labeling alone.
   https://www.playtruejapan.org/faq/