The use of ‘enhanced’ and ‘doping’ can vary between different groups and generations. For some people, especially those entrenched in an antiquated way of thinking, words like ‘enhanced’ and ‘doping’ have negative connotations because of their historical use as discriminatory terms.
These terms have been reclaimed in recent years, and are becoming increasingly used, particularly by younger athletes, as an empowering way of describing oneself.
Steeped in racial prejudice, ‘doping’ and its variations are harmful words wielded by sports federations to keep athletes from embracing science.
The term originates from the colonialist Dutch forces’ description of the performance enhancements used by the defending West African tribes.
The word was soon used to describe the medical enhancements given to horses, before being weaponized against the black population in the 1980s War on Drugs. Today, black athletes are disproportionately accused of ‘doping’.
‘Doping’ is a colonialist slur that reeks of symbolic and historic violence against both the black and enhanced populations, and needs to be removed from our vocabulary.
Being enhanced isn’t a preference or a lifestyle choice.
When we talk about science and being enhanced, we’re not talking about preferences or choices or value judgments. We’re just talking about how people are.
What is enhanced inclusive language?
Inclusive language is a way of acknowledging and respecting the complete control and autonomy people have over their bodies. Inclusive language ensures that we leave behind the harmful archaic language that causes discrimination against athletes, and those who strive for human excellence.
Inclusive language acknowledges the diversity of bodies people have and ensures that we don’t carry bigotry with us when we talk about sport.
1. Don’t assume a person is not enhanced.
Don’t assume that everyone is natural (that is, they don’t use science to enhance themselves), or that this is the norm.
This profiling devalues the identities and lives of people who identify as enhanced.
Avoid using language such as ‘clean athlete’ or ‘clean competition’, as this implies that the process of using science is ‘dirty’, which is a hurtful and harmful stereotype.
2. Scrub harmful and discriminating language from your vernacular.
Language can be used to unite, but it can also be used to divide.
We are emerging from a dark period in sports history, in which the incumbent sports federations use their monopolistic power to exploit athletes and prevent the rightful inclusion of science in sport.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) actively encourages the use of harmful language that reinforces discriminatory stereotypes.
We are doing our best to break free from the antiquated prejudices of WADA and the International Olympic Committee.
Some examples of harmful language include:
| Harmful Language | A Better Alternative | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 'Doping' | As with other slurs, there is no acceptable alternative. | Steeped in racial prejudice, 'doping' and its variations are harmful words wielded by sports federations to keep athletes from embracing science. The term originates from the colonialist Dutch forces' description of the performance enhancements used by the defending West African tribes. The word was soon used to describe the medical enhancements given to horses, before being weaponized against the black population in the 1980s War on Drugs. Today, black athletes are disproportionately accused of ‘doping’. 'Doping' is a colonialist slur that reeks of symbolic and historic violence against the black and enhanced population, and needs to be removed from our vernacular. |
| 'Unnatural' | 'Enhanced' | The use of 'unnatural' to describe people who choose to enhance their bodies implies that the use of science is unnatural. One of the key attributes of humanity is its 'natural' ability and willingness to use technology – from stone to iron, to electricity, to medicine – to enhance and improve conditions, and life itself. The inclusion of science to improve our lives is a natural process in the course of societal evolution. |
| 'Clean Athlete' | 'Natural Athlete' | Implicit in the use of 'clean' as a descriptor of persons is a sense of moral purity. Enemies of freedom throughout time have weaponized the use of the word 'clean'; for example, the Nazi Party also used propaganda to position their political enemies as impure, using this to justify their war crimes and raced-based ideology. |
| 'Steroid Abuser' | 'Enhanced Athlete' | Anabolic steroids help build muscle tissue and increase body mass, whilst reducing fat levels; enhanced athletes are proud of using steroids as a form of medical enhancement to unlock their potential. Using steroids, and other forms of science to enhance one's body isn't an example of abuse – it is a demonstration of bravery. |
| 'Performance Enhancing Drugs' | 'Performance Therapy' 'Performance Enhancements' | The term 'drugs' has harmful connotations that detract from the markedly positive effect that science can have on the human body. 'Performance therapy' and 'Performance enhancements' are more inclusive terms, as they relate to the incorporation of the latest breakthroughs in synthetic biology and medicine in an athlete training regime. |
| 'Cheating' | 'Demonstration of Science' | From the earliest sports competition until 1967, the use of science to enhance an athlete's potential was welcomed and encouraged. Since the International Olympic Committee's ban on science until now, athletes had no choice but to adhere to the discriminatory anti–science rules enforced by the monopolist sports leagues. Branding science-embracing athletes as 'cheats' is malicious and discriminatory. Language was weaponized in this way by sports federations to silence the voices of early pioneer like Tim Montgomery, Conor Dwyer, Maria Sharapova and Lance Armstrong. Embracing science to unlock the true human potential is not 'cheating'; it is heroic. |
3. Encourage bravery.
Breaking free from the harmful norms of the past takes great courage and bravery. It is important that you use respectful and inclusive language when discussing the Enhanced Movement, to avoid marginalizing members of the enhanced community.
To learn more about how you can best encourage bravery and support the heroes of the athletic community please visit our Take Action page.
We thank the LGBTQIA+ Movement for their brave fight for inclusion and equal rights. We acknowledge that we have been inspired by the valiant efforts of this community. The Victorian Government’s LGBTIQA+ inclusive language guide provided a sound framework for the Enhanced Inclusive Language Guide. We hope that all persons who have experienced discrimination and hate speech, intentional or otherwise, find the strength to unite, and stand for what is right.
