This thesis examines the attitudes and justifications athletes have in regards to doping in sport, and specifically the current doping ban. A historical analysis of anti-doping policy development in Canada was completed to determine how the current anti-doping system operates in Canada. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with retired and current members of the Women’s and Men’s Canadian National Volleyball Teams. Content analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts and to draw out the resulting themes. From the interviews it emerged that the Canadian volleyball athletes participating in this study viewed the doping ban as a list of rules they must follow in order to remain eligible to compete. The athletes’ perspectives on the doping ban differ from the reasons historically and currently provided by anti-doping organizations, as the athletes participating in this study did not discuss values in their reasons for following the doping ban in sport.

This thesis examines the attitudes and justifications athletes have in regards to doping in sport, and specifically the current doping ban. A historical analysis of anti-doping policy development in Canada was completed to determine how the current anti-doping system operates in Canada. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with retired and current members of the Women’s and Men’s Canadian National Volleyball Teams. Content analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts and to draw out the resulting themes. From the interviews it emerged that the Canadian volleyball athletes participating in this study viewed the doping ban as a list of rules they must follow in order to remain eligible to compete. The athletes’ perspectives on the doping ban differ from the reasons historically and currently provided by anti-doping organizations, as the athletes participating in this study did not discuss values in their reasons for following the doping ban in sport.