Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Kinesiology

Supervisor

Schneider, Angela J.

Abstract

This thesis, a reflective piece inspired by “Canada 150” events, explores the psychosocial and sociocultural factors surrounding the ongoing evolution of the clean sport movement in Canada. A literature review recounts the critical events in the history of doping, viz. the Ben Johnson scandal, which resulted in a call to overhaul sport culture and realign it with fair play values. Theories in sports philosophy and psychology provide a further understanding of the meaning of sport, and psychosocial factors that are inextricably linked to doping behavior, respectively. The autoethnographic method provides insight into current Canadian values to compare with those in its sports history. My intimate experiences with Canadians during the Canada C3 expedition, many of whom demonstrated self-sacrifice in their commitment to cultural and moral progress, lead me to believe that fair-play culture in Canada has grown only stronger with time. Combined with my literature reviews, my research exposed the overlooked vulnerability of athletes and the presence of a broad spectrum when it comes to qualifying institutionalized doping, consequently presenting a rationale for WADA to increase its accountability by reconsidering its strict liability clause.

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