Pope Francis on Friday spoke out against "shortcuts" such as doping, calling on athletes to be role models for fair play in sport.
"How ugly and sterile is the victory that is obtained by cheating and deceiving others," Francis told members of the Italian Tennis Association on Friday.
"You athletes have a mission to fulfil: to be, for those who admire you, good role models," the pope added, quoted by Vatican Radio.
The pontiff urged managers, coaches and athletes to be "practitioners of a sporting profession that is always fair and transparent."
