Ian Pereira
Sports R&W
C-Block
Steroids
in Sports
Most
athletes, of any level, compete in sports for an opportunity to pit their
individual skills against that of the opposition. There is nothing quite like
the satisfaction in oneself after a particularly outstanding performance in
which one plays to their utmost potential. Some do this not for themselves, but
for the recognition or glory received that comes with excelling at a sport. This
complex, however, creates a mindset where winning is everything. When an
athlete will do anything to win, the rules and integrity of the game get pushed
to the back of their mind. In some people’s minds, they justify cheating as the
only way to become the best they can possibly be. For some, the use of anabolic
steroids is the only way to reach that next level. Despite proven evidence of
the harm such substances can cause, athletes everywhere use them fully knowing
that the side effects easily outweigh the perks.
First, we must fully understand what anabolic steroids
are. Anabolic steroids are the synthetic derivatives of the male hormone
testosterone. They are powerful prescription drugs for the physically disabled
and should only be used when a licensed physician recommends them. Athletes
abuse these drugs in high doses to boost athletic performance. Anabolic steroids
help build muscle tissue and increase body mass by acting like the body’s
natural occurring hormone, testosterone. However, these things do nothing to
help an athlete’s agility or skill. Steroids are primarily taken to increase
muscle mass or speed. Steroids can be taken either by injection or orally. Of
the two forms, it has been discovered that the latter has shown far more
severity in its side effects than injections. The injectable steroids are not
free of side effects either, though, and there is a price to be paid for any
users of anabolic steroids.
The side effects are one of the main reasons that not as
many athletes use the substances anymore. Now that people now the horrible
things that can result from these drugs, they have become far less popular in professional
and amateur use. The health hazards and physical risks of using steroids are
innumerable. Although steroids are derived from the male sex hormone, men who abuse
frequently may experience a decrease in their sexual function or impotence.
This is due to a reduced sperm count that the steroids caused, which also may
result in complete sterility. The other harmful effects are the shrinking of
testicles and pain while urinating. The effect steroids have on females is just
as bad. Women who abuse steroids often experience a masculinization in which
they lose the qualities that showed they were female. This includes the growth
of facial hair and deepening of the voice. They may also result in breast
reduction and changes in their menstrual cycle. With constant abuse of anabolic
steroids, both sexes can experience effects that range from minor deficiencies
to life-threatening issues. Some of the side effects are acne and bloated
appearance and go to the extent of developing blood clotting disorders and having a
premature heart attack or stroke.
The use of steroids in sports has been the source of a lot of controversy since the moment it was banned. The use of anabolic steroids has been banned by almost every professional sports organization. However, many athletes still persist in the use of such substances as they believe it gives them a competitive edge over competitors. The use of such substances have tainted the names
of people once thought of as legends. The likes of Lance Armstrong, Alex Rodriguez, and Barry Bonds have all been proven users of some form of anabolic steroids. Every achievement or accolade of any of these defamed players is now, essentially, worthless. Not only is the abuse of steroids unhealthy and illegal in sports, but it is also immoral. Athletes who use anabolic steroids have a distinct advantage over their competition. Working under the assumption that anyone or everyone could be an abuser of anabolic steroids, how can we gauge the excellence of anyone? Although the implementation of drug tests is a start, there must be a more concrete method of testing for anabolic steroids in athletes of all sports. Only when there is a universal, never-failing system of checking for steroids in all athletes will the world truly be able to separate the gifted and the cheaters. Until such an ideal is achieved, we can never be sure whether the idols we gaze up at admiringly are truly what we believe them to be. Never before has this been exemplified mire than in the case of Lance Armstrong. Before scandal ruined his good name, he was known to be the greatest cyclist to ever live. With a record 7 Tour de France's, there was no question as to who the best in the world was. That was up until 2012, when he finally admitted to have used anabolic steroids and every athletic achievement he had ever gotten was stripped fron him. It is under circumstances like this one to ask yourself: is success really so important that one would be willing to sacrifice the integrity of the sport for glory? Although it is clear some believe so, I choose to believe that excelling without the need to cheat is how real success should be measured.
The use of steroids in sports has been the source of a lot of controversy since the moment it was banned. The use of anabolic steroids has been banned by almost every professional sports organization. However, many athletes still persist in the use of such substances as they believe it gives them a competitive edge over competitors. The use of such substances have tainted the names
of people once thought of as legends. The likes of Lance Armstrong, Alex Rodriguez, and Barry Bonds have all been proven users of some form of anabolic steroids. Every achievement or accolade of any of these defamed players is now, essentially, worthless. Not only is the abuse of steroids unhealthy and illegal in sports, but it is also immoral. Athletes who use anabolic steroids have a distinct advantage over their competition. Working under the assumption that anyone or everyone could be an abuser of anabolic steroids, how can we gauge the excellence of anyone? Although the implementation of drug tests is a start, there must be a more concrete method of testing for anabolic steroids in athletes of all sports. Only when there is a universal, never-failing system of checking for steroids in all athletes will the world truly be able to separate the gifted and the cheaters. Until such an ideal is achieved, we can never be sure whether the idols we gaze up at admiringly are truly what we believe them to be. Never before has this been exemplified mire than in the case of Lance Armstrong. Before scandal ruined his good name, he was known to be the greatest cyclist to ever live. With a record 7 Tour de France's, there was no question as to who the best in the world was. That was up until 2012, when he finally admitted to have used anabolic steroids and every athletic achievement he had ever gotten was stripped fron him. It is under circumstances like this one to ask yourself: is success really so important that one would be willing to sacrifice the integrity of the sport for glory? Although it is clear some believe so, I choose to believe that excelling without the need to cheat is how real success should be measured.
History of steroids
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