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Performance-enhancing Drugs and Sports

Performance-enhancing Drugs and Sports


Not everybody loves competing, but everybody certainly loves winning. Consequently, for as long as there have been competitions, there have also been people who seek ways to increase their odds of victory; such are the ways of the human being. Although, when a competition is centered on the employment of the human body (like it happens in sports) chances are that such methods will not only be unethical, but also they will invariably prove nefarious for the health of the sportsmen, or women.

Over the last several years the use of performance-enhancing drugs has become widespread; as a consequence of unlawful application of substances, amplified by media exposure, many renowned artists have had their careers spoilt by scandalous association to the stigmata of doping. Furthermore, several athletes who have tested positive for taking certain "enhancers" and have even been held on trial, on account of their offenses.

Undoubtedly, performance-enhancing drugs should remain illegal, because they amount to nothing short of cheating. Yet, it should not be neglected that the essence of Sport, in whatever form it can assume, is that the sportsmen will try to surpass the limits of his body's capacities, at all costs. Yet, while the use or absence of substances to such pursuits is a matter of individual choice, no argument can be raised against the fact that in collective matters, there are common rules which must be observed by all participants, at the expense of the legitimacy of the event, institution or competition.

Right off the bat, it should be clearly established that I, for one, subscribe wholeheartedly to the apology of Free Will and the liberty for the individual to make his own choices, in any circumstances and to all capacities. In that sense, I cannot bring myself to claim that these drugs should be banished, nor can I condemn people who resort to them – not directly, as we will see.

Mainly, because we live in a reality which is dualistic by nature: this causes every single coin in existence to have its reverse. This is a simple, yet utterly intrinsic fact that cannot be denied by any perspective which is not impaired. Still, and furthermore, there are practical reasons (as opposed to existential) that should be addressed, to provide a good basis from where upon to elaborate on the discussion of this matter.

First point in case being, there are certain drugs that are indeed allowed, within certain sports and limited to certain amounts (such as coffee and alcohol). Second, because if we didn't believe in the capacity of using chemical to enhance the natural capacities of the human body, then we’d have to relinquish pharmacy (and even medicine), altogether.
Nonetheless, I cannot help to feel that concessions need to be done, when it comes to collective activities. When one partakes an event which is bounded by a certain set of rules, one is expected to ascribe his liberty of choice to the contract upon which he enters.

Should athletes be allowed to take performance-enhancing drugs? Even while we consider the issue amounts to personal choice or common agreement, athletes should not be allowed to take performance-enhancing drugs to make them better players, for one simple reason: it provides an unfair advantage over other athletes trying to excel naturally.

The use of performance-enhancing supplements and drugs gives the user an unfair advantage over their competition through achieving strength in a shorter amount of time. As long was we consider that sports is about honor and courage and legitimate effort, the use of illicit substances as a means to reach better results is undeniably wrong.

Society in general is not kind with those who attempt against such ideals of purity in sports. Recently, Floyd Landis tested positive for using performance-enhancing drugs during the Tour de France, during the 17th Section of the race. As a result, even tough he actually finished first in the race but the title taken away because of his infringement of the rules. Barry Bonds is currently in court regarding using steroids during his baseball career. Several other baseball players have admitted to using steroids while playing, such as Jason Giambi. According to Miia Parssinen and Timo Seppala, the use of anabolic androgenic steroids has increased 50% since 1991 (Parssinen and Seppala, 2002). Such statistics serve good as evidence that sports is ever more about good business and personal profit, rather than good health and personal achievement.

Most of the substances which usage constitutes "doping" have been determined as severely harmful for the health. Steroids are a good example, and they should remain illegal because they physically deteriorate the whole body system; granted I believe in free will, but when people can't look after themselves, measures must be taken by the state to ensure the people's own best interests are protected. Likewise, when sports organizations can't decide what's best for their members, then the state must interfere with appropriate legislation.

Taking performance-enhancing drugs is very likely to be massively harmful to the health; yet, given the simultaneous pressure and enticement that's involved in the world of modern sports, women and men are still willing to risk their health and their lives in order to win and stay competitive. Along with physical problems, there are also mental reactions associated with the use of steroids. This drug becomes very addictive, damaging to the mind and can cause very violent episodes. Taking these drugs is likely to be very harmful to the liver: taking steroids will cause livers cysts. The risk to get liver cancer is greater for those who take performance-enhancing drugs. Even more eminent, is the chance that steroids pose an actual menace to the heart, due to their properties. Steroids work by effectively burning out the organism, which produces higher amounts of energy at expense of cell longevity. As Hitti (2004) put it: 'heart disease risk was more than 2.5 times higher in people taking high does of steroids compared with those not taking steroids'. Their defenses diminished, they also have a higher risk of a sudden heart attack or stroke; the side effects and reactions from the usage of anabolic steroids are quite varied, and consistently menacing.

By indulging on unlawful and unethical practices and sacrificing the health at the expense of short-term success, what kind of message are we sending to our children? Over the last few decades, the increase in teens playing sports has increased. "There are currently more than 30 million children and adolescents younger than 18 years playing some form of organized team sport in the United States" (Metzel, 2002). Teens play with a "win at all costs" mentality. Per Metzel, studies show that 5 to 11% of high school students have used steroids (Metzel, 2002). Teens give into peer pressure very easily, so they would be prone to take them if they see other teens or professional athletes use them. Other than that, teens use these drugs to assure a better self-esteem, and also because they believe that their sports playing will improved once they "bulk" up; all in all a teenager who takes steroids or similar substances is doing nothing but looking for a easier road than sheer perseverance and practice, which is the true path to success. It is thus we need to show our children that it is not all right for professional athletes to continue to use these types of drugs.

There are consequences to taking performance-enhancing drugs, on many levels. Stricter measures are being developed by the Congress in order to make things more difficult for cheaters. Players are now being tested throughout the course of the season instead of only during the pre season. Currently, there's a bill waiting for approval which establishes a two-year ban for a sportsman first offense and a lifetime ban for the second offense. If an athlete is caught taking performance-enhancing drugs, not only will he be kept from playing the game he loves, but also during that time, his conscience will make him realize that the love for his chosen sport is unhealthy.

It's absolutely crucial that we show our children the several levels that cause performance-enhancer drugs to be as condemnable, or even more so, than recreational drugs. Good awareness in the present is the key for a more conscientious and healthy future. Finally, if one meant to be honest and fair in his practice and competition, then steroids and other performance enhancing supplements should be banned in every sport regardless of its obvious or subtle physical demands. Every athlete in every sport wants to be in the best physical condition as possible, but he should achieve optimum condition trough personal effort and natural talent, otherwise the sports become mere business, in the measure it corrupts its practitioners: and sports should be just the opposite of that. All in all, and plainly speaking, those who are stupid enough to risk their lives for a small immediate gain should by no means be rewarded with everlasting glory: it would hardly make any sense.






References
Parssinen, Miia and Seppala, Timo. (2002). Steroid Use and Long-Term Health Risks in Former Athletes. Sports Medicine. 32(2), 83-94.
Hitti, Miranda. (2004). High Doses May Raise Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke, Study Shows. Retrieved September 9, 2006, from http://www.webmd
Metzel, Jordan D. (2002). Performance-enhancing drug use in the young athlete. Pediatric Annals. 31(1), 27-34.
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Posted by: Anastasia T. Ray

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