Abstract

The evolution of competitive sports has been consistently accompanied by the challenge of maintaining fairness and integrity a task that has been threatened by the use of performance-enhancing substances and methods. The history of anti-doping procedures reflects an ongoing struggle between regulatory authorities and athletes seeking competitive advantages leading to the development of systematic testing monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the historical progression of anti-doping measures tracing the establishment of organized regulations from early ad hoc bans to the formal creation of global agencies such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). It examines the classification of doping substances including anabolic agents stimulants hormones peptide hormones and gene-modifying substances alongside methodological innovations in detection techniques. The study emphasizes the chronological evolution of testing protocols from urine analy