What is one major consequence for athletes caught using PEDs?

Being stripped of medals is a significant consequence for athletes who are caught using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). This action serves as a form of punishment not only for the individual athlete but also acts as a warning to others about the integrity of the sport. When an athlete is found to have violated anti-doping regulations, it undermines the fairness of competition, and as a result, governing bodies typically enforce strict penalties, which often include the revocation of titles, awards, and medals that were won during the time the athlete had used these prohibited substances.

The integrity of sport relies heavily on the principle that competition should be fair, and using PEDs creates an uneven playing field. Stripping athletes of their medals also emphasizes the seriousness with which sporting organizations view doping offenses, impacting the athlete's reputation and legacy within their sport.