Optimising Anti-Doping Control System in Cycling in France

Doping occurs in a complex and dynamic environment. Often, the sporting system in which doping occurs comprises multiple hierarchical levels that is challenging to fully elucidate. To date, research in doping has typically focused on athletes and athlete support personnel at the sharp end of this hierarchy rather than the broader systemic factors that contribute to doping. To understand and optimise the behaviour of complex systems (i.e., the anti-doping system), the application of contemporary systems thinking-based methods has been recommended. Such methods allow for analytical modelling to be conducted to understand and identify the numerous interacting factors that influence system behaviour. This enables the identification of opportunities to intervene and optimise the overall system rather than its component parts.