Love Island and Geordie Shore named as part of the steroid problem Welsh rugby is facing
HIT TV reality shows Love Island and Geordie Shore have been named as part of the reason for problems with some Welsh rugby players using banned drugs.
Powerbrokers from across British sport gathered at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff for UK Anti-Doping’s annual Clean Sport Forum.
And they were told part of the reason for the number of positive drugs tests in Wales was down to people wanting to have body shapes like the contestants on popular television shows.
Officials feel that some individuals are inspired by the bodies of those that appear on the TV programmes, but try to replicate them without the work.
A Western Mail investigation published on Monday has revealed the extent of the drugs problem in Welsh rugby.
Currently, nine Welsh rugby players are serving suspensions with Bargoed forward Dan Matthews being the most recent.
The issue in Wales was one of the subjects addressed at the seminar, which was attended by more than 120 delegates from sports throughout the UK and members of the media.
In his welcome address, published in a brochure given out, UKAD chair Trevor Pearce said: “The psychological and physiological threats to our country’s young men and women, who chase a social media inspired ‘Love Island’ body, aided by the increasing availability of steroids, is just one of these new challenges we face.”
A new strategic plan has been designed to tackle the scourge of Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPED) and their wider impact on society.
The Welsh Rugby Union and the Welsh Assembly Government were talked up for helping Wales lead the fight in the UK.
Brian Davies, Sport Wales’ director of elite sport, revealed most of the drugs testing below elite level in rugby was intelligence-led.
Customs officials may intercept a package from overseas containing banned performance enhancing drugs and inform UKAD of the address of the recipient.
Testers will then be dispatched to collect samples from a rugby match in that area, often with positive results.
“The WRU has placed a great deal of importance on tackling the issue in rugby,” Davies said.
“It is resourcing it well but they have got some big challenges. There’s a social media pressure on youngsters today to try and look good and that is overlapping in certain elements of the game.
“They’re not necessarily taking steroids for performance reasons but to look good.
“The WRU is working closely with Public Health Wales (PHW) and the Wales Government Agency Intelligence Network and Regional Organised Crime Unit.”
PHW’s Dean Acreman, who is leading the fight, dealt with a specific section titled ‘Lessons Learned From Partnership Working in Wales.’
He told delegates: “Our research found 56% of people using IPED used them for aesthetic reasons, not performance.
“One of the findings was they (some participants) said they wanted to look like individuals from Love Island and Geordie Shore.”
But the researchers had also discovered 70% of the people interviewed also had adverse effects from taking IPED.”
UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: “When you consider where we were 18 months ago, there has been a continuous improvement.
“The WRU has always committed to us – that has never been in question. “Its reach is extending so it is getting into clubs at lower level to ensure that message gets to the players.
“Players at the very low level of a sport are still bound by the rules and must realise they can be tested. It’s work in progress. I don’t think you can rest on your laurels.
“There is clear recognition within Wales with PHW that there is this issue in society here with IPED and the long-term health risks.
“Ten or 20 years ago smoking was identified. I’m not saying this is as prevalent as smoking but I do think, in 10 years time, we might see a big spike in individuals seeking consultations with their doctor and being hospitalised because they are dying.”
Using steroids can result in heart and kidney problems with Welsh hospitals already reporting an increase in the number of younger people requiring treatment.