Gamze Bulut

These days, one of the main topics of discussion in Turkey is far from sports and its ethics due to the approaching referendum. However, with the latest news that added three more Turkish national athletes to the long chain of Turkish sportspeople who have been tested positive with doping, I wanted to write about the need for doping.

Ethiopian-born Turkish athlete Elvan Abeylegesse has been stripped of the two silver medals she claimed at the Beijing 2008 Olympics over 5,000m and 10,000m, along with her 10,000m silver medal from the 2007 World Championships, for doping violations.

Olympic champion Asli Çak?r Alptekin has agreed to give up her 1,500-meter title and serve an 8-year ban for blood doping, dealing another blow to track and field.