Keeping Sports Clean? Understanding Doping Beliefs and Behaviors Among Student Athletes in Singapore
October 30, 2026
Doping in sports is a longstanding issue that has garnered global attention, especially with the increasing number of athletes participating in elite international events. In Singapore, a small yet competitive nation with a growing presence in international sports, the topic of doping remains critically relevant. Despite the country’s strict drug laws and zero-tolerance policy, doping cases involving Singaporean athletes have emerged, underscoring the need for closer examination. However, most existing research focuses on elite athletes, leaving the attitudes and experiences of student athletes largely unexplored.
Led by Assistant Professor Michelle Ho (NUS Communications and New Media) and Associate Professor Mei Lin Go (NUS Pharmacy), ‘Keeping Sports Clean? Understanding Doping Beliefs and Behaviors Among Student Athletes in Singapore’ is funded by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) from 2025 to 2028 and explores the doping behaviours, beliefs, and awareness among student athletes in Singapore. Through a mixed methods approach, combining quantitative online surveys with qualitative interviews, the project offers insights into student athletes’ behaviours and understandings around substance use in and outside of sport, and how these may be shaped by social media use.
The project has several key objectives. First, it seeks to investigate the beliefs, attitudes, and awareness of doping among student athletes in Singapore, examining how these perspectives are shaped by campus culture and broader sociocultural norms, including the influence of social media. Next, the project will analyse how student athletes understand the concept of ‘clean sport’ and assess their awareness of available anti-doping resources, training programs, and support systems. Additionally, the study will explore recreational drug use among student athletes, with a specific focus on substances such as vaping, alcohol, caffeine, and cannabis. Lastly, the research intends to provide actionable policy recommendations for stakeholders, aimed at enhancing support for student athletes, particularly in relation to clean sport initiatives and anti-doping education.
This research fills a significant gap in the academic literature on doping attitudes among student athletes in Singapore, contributing to the promotion of clean sport and drug awareness. It provides valuable insights into student athletes’ doping vulnerability, their experiences with the anti-doping system, and the broader societal influences that shape their behaviours. The findings will aid policymakers, universities, and anti-doping organisations like Anti-Doping Singapore and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which work to promote clean sport and reduce doping incidences. Furthermore, the project contributes to more holistic public health and societal discussions on recreational drug use among university students, supporting the development of more effective educational campaigns and support systems for both student athletes and the wider university population.
