Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/123449 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2013
Series/Report no.: 
WWZ Discussion Paper No. 2013/05
Publisher: 
University of Basel, Center of Business and Economics (WWZ), Basel
Abstract: 
We analyze the doping behavior of heterogeneous athletes in an environment of private information. In a n-player strategic game, modeled as an all-pay auction, each athlete has private information about his actual physical ability and choses the amount of performance-enhancing drugs. The use of doping substances is costly but not further regulated. The main finding of the analysis is the existence of a doping threshold. In our leading case only strong athletes dope. The level of the doping threshold is increasing in the doping costs and decreasing in the prize level. Furthermore, increasing the number of athletes affects the doping decision in two ways. More competition increases the incentives to dope for strong athletes. At the same time, we find a discouragement effect for weak athletes.
Subjects: 
Auctions
Contests
Doping
Heterogeneity
Private Information
JEL: 
C72
D44
D82
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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