Asynchronous Academy

Sports & Substances

Suggested Duration: 3 Hours

"Sport is a creative outlet for discipline... [Athletes are] people who understand teamwork and planning and that nothing is for free, and that makes for a better society. If it's ethically based, that's better still."

Dick Pound, Founding President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

5 Canadian Drug Scandals in Sports

Doping scandals have shaped the history of Canadian sports, often leading to stripped medals and damaged legacies. Understanding these cases helps us see the pressure athletes face and the risks they take to stay competitive.

Task:

Independent Research Case Study

Now, you will take a "deep dive" into one specific case to understand the "why" and "how" of substance use in sports.

Task: Pick one athlete from the CBC article and research the following:

  • The Story: What exactly happened? When and where was the substance detected?
  • The Motivation: Why did the athlete take the drug? Was it for a physical edge, recovery, or a lapse in judgment?
  • The Risks: Using the PIEDS Fact Sheet or other medical resources, identify the specific physical and mental dangers of that substance.
  • The Context: Find at least one other instance where a different athlete (international or domestic) was caught with the same substance.

Athlete Advisory Video (Project)

Your goal is to turn your research into an educational warning for the next generation. Record a 2-3 minute video presentation designed as a Public Service Announcement (PSA) for young athletes who might be tempted to use substances to improve their performance or cope with pressure.

💡

Video Recording Tip: You are highly encouraged to use Canva's free video templates, stock media, and slides to make your presentation visually appealing. Practice your delivery beforehand to speak clearly, maintain eye contact, and present with a professional, respectful tone.

Your Video must cover:

  1. Drug Profile: The name of the drug and its primary physical and mental health risks.
  2. A Cautionary Tale: A summary of the Canadian case you researched as a real-world warning.
  3. A Global Map of the Issue: Explain the impact of drug use at three levels:
    • Personal: The impact on individual health, career, and future.
    • Local/Regional: The impact on your team, school, or community reputation.
    • National/International: The roles of organizations like WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and the impact on the integrity of global sports.

Deliverable:

📤

Athlete Advisory Video

Submit your completed video recording as an MP4 (.mp4) file using the course app submission portal.

Assessment

Pre-Submission

Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.

What to Turn In

  • 📤

    Athlete Advisory Video (.mp4 file)

💡 A Different Way to Learn

Async Academy courses are inquiry-based. There are no rote answer keys or multiple-choice worksheets here. You learn by exploring, questioning, and building projects you care about.

Because your discovery path is completely unique, you need a human sounding board. Enroll to submit your projects and get personalized video feedback from an Ontario Certified Teacher to guide your work.

Learning Goals

We are learning to:

  • 🎯

    Investigate real-world cases of substance use in Canadian sports to understand the legal and social consequences

  • 🎯

    Analyze the physical and mental health risks associated with performance-enhancing and recreational drugs

  • 🎯

    Develop educational resources that explain the personal and global implications of drug use

Success Criteria

I can:

  • ✅

    Develop strategies an athlete could have used to avoid or manage their substance use issues

    Expectations Covered: C2
  • ✅

    Explain how various substances affect my physical health and overall well-being

    Expectations Covered: C1
  • ✅

    Create a video resource that illustrates the personal, local, national, and international issues related to drug use

    Expectations Covered: C3

Rubric

Category Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Research & Strategy Development (Thinking / Inquiry)
How effectively does the student analyze substance use in sports and develop mitigation strategies?
 Develops insightful, highly realistic strategies to manage substance issues; demonstrates excellent analysis of real-world cases. Develops effective strategies to manage substance issues; provides a clear analysis of real-world cases. Develops basic strategies with some relevance; analysis of cases lacks depth or detail. Develops superficial or unrealistic strategies; shows minimal analysis of cases.
Health Concepts & Global Implications (Knowledge / Understanding)
How accurately does the student explain the effects of substances and map personal, local, and global drug issues?
 Explains the health effects of substances with high accuracy; maps local/global issues comprehensively and insightfully. Explains the health effects of substances clearly; maps local/global issues with good detail. Explains some health effects of substances; maps local/global issues with basic understanding. Explains health effects with limited accuracy; maps local/global issues with minimal detail.
Oral & Visual Communication (Communication)
How clearly, engagingly, and professionally does the student present their warning and facts in the video?
 Communicates ideas in the video with a high degree of clarity, visual interest, and a professional, respectful tone Communicates ideas in the video clearly, with good visual interest and tone Communicates ideas in the video with basic clarity and organization Communicates ideas in the video with limited clarity or organization
Research & Strategy Development (Thinking / Inquiry)
Criteria: How effectively does the student analyze substance use in sports and develop mitigation strategies?
Level 4

Develops insightful, highly realistic strategies to manage substance issues; demonstrates excellent analysis of real-world cases.

Level 3

Develops effective strategies to manage substance issues; provides a clear analysis of real-world cases.

Level 2

Develops basic strategies with some relevance; analysis of cases lacks depth or detail.

Level 1

Develops superficial or unrealistic strategies; shows minimal analysis of cases.

Health Concepts & Global Implications (Knowledge / Understanding)
Criteria: How accurately does the student explain the effects of substances and map personal, local, and global drug issues?
Level 4

Explains the health effects of substances with high accuracy; maps local/global issues comprehensively and insightfully.

Level 3

Explains the health effects of substances clearly; maps local/global issues with good detail.

Level 2

Explains some health effects of substances; maps local/global issues with basic understanding.

Level 1

Explains health effects with limited accuracy; maps local/global issues with minimal detail.

Oral & Visual Communication (Communication)
Criteria: How clearly, engagingly, and professionally does the student present their warning and facts in the video?
Level 4

Communicates ideas in the video with a high degree of clarity, visual interest, and a professional, respectful tone

Level 3

Communicates ideas in the video clearly, with good visual interest and tone

Level 2

Communicates ideas in the video with basic clarity and organization

Level 1

Communicates ideas in the video with limited clarity or organization