Should or Should Not Doping Be Allowed in Sports - Essay Example

Should or Should Not Doping Be Allowed in Sports? Sports are an important ambassador that brings people together from all walks of life. It involves competition in a level playing field. It is important for sportsmen to do regular exercises to perform at their best in the competition. However, there are those who feel the competition is too stiff and they resort to using performance-enhancing drugs in order to remain competitive or to become superstars in the game. Doping as it is referred to is the use of performance-enhancing drugs with a view to increasing the might an individual has or even performance. While there are furious opponents of doping in competitive sports, proponents also cite various reasons they deem support their case. Going by the strict anti-doping campaign globally, proponents are on the show though tacitly. Doping in sports has remained one of the most heated debates in the world of sports eliciting a flurry arguments and counter-arguments. This paper takes through the stormy debate. Introduction Doping is a term referring to the use of performance enhancing drugs to improve the performance of an athlete. The term is a disparaging form that is often used to refer to the use of such drugs. In competitive sporting standards, doping is prohibited. This is because the doping methods is considered fundamentally wrong and kills the spirit of sportsmanship in general. On the other hand, the misuse of drugs is also detrimental to the health of competing athletes. In general doping devalues the integrity and image of sports. Doping has elicited vicious debate from both the medical and sporting aspect. While others question where the integrity of sport falls, when household personality in sport finds themselves in difficult places when discovered to have used performance enhancing drugs, others enjoy the use of performance enhancing drugs (Wiesing 168). In competitive sport, doping has been considered an unethical venture that does not emphasize the integrity of sports. Several high-profile athletes – men and women have had their career thrown to the doldrums after having been found guilty of doping or making a public statement on doping. On the other hand, proponents of doping claim that doping in sports is necessary especially for those superstars who feel that they need to remain on top of their game and they would want to do that at all costs. The essence is that they would not want to lose their fame in sports and for that reason, they resort to doping. They are role models, icons and revered names to their fans and that is what they fear losing (Eber 345). This paper looks at doping in both contexts as to whether it should be allowed or not in sports. It also gives relevant examples of athletes who have thrown away their integrity in sports after being discovered to have used doping substances. While doping is considered as a contrary action to fair play, there are several athletes who believe in fair play. Certain competitive athletes stress on the need for fair play, and they are considered conditional cooperators because are guided by the values and principles of fair play. In other words, they do not take drugs because they believe their competitors do not use them as well. The biggest problem, however, becomes coordination of their intentions that would wander and resort to using performance enhancing drugs in competitions (Devine 637). Doping has become a global problem because of many international sporting events world over. Most international sports associations guided by International Olympic Committee (IOC), have for a long time worked on ways of stopping the spread of doping, but they have met resistance. As expected, the introduction of testing, education programs and other medical treatment, would reduce the behavior. Unfortunately, the efforts have managed to bear little fruits because undetectable and more powerful doping techniques have come up. There are several doping techniques that have been used over the years (Reginald, et al. 1104). Steroids Doping should be allowed among sports personalities. For instance, steroids coupled with other performance enhancing drugs should be allowed owing to the fact that most athletes who uses them do that secretly because they are illegal. The fact that they use the drugs secretly without the guidance of a physician, places them in a precarious position. In that regard, legalizing or permitting the use of those drugs in a regulated manner would enhance safer use of drugs. Steroids are biochemical belonging to a group of organic compounds known as lipids. They are easily soluble in organic solvents and can be used to stimulate muscles to enhance performance. The use of steroids in sports has gained momentum in the later part of 20th century. During the same period, many attempts have been made to prevent sports personalities from using steroids. Supporters of the use of steroids have, however, argued that steroids are safer if used correctly. Further, they argue that steroids and their derivatives have been used in many drugs for a long time and have not been associated with the aforementioned health effects. This argument has been challenged by the fact that all medicines containing steroids have never been intended to increase performance (Katz). Opponents of argue that steroids are destructive to the health of the user and have been linked to a host of medical problems. They are, for example, linked with rapid aging of bones causing stunted growth. They may also reduce the rate of growth. Given than some of the steroids are administered through injections, they carry the risk of HIV infections because most of the users are not properly trained about injections and how to sterilize needs before using. The use of steroids has also been associated with health problems such as liver problems, testicular and prostate cancer. Steroids have been linked to a host of devastating diseases and complications. Medical conditions such as liver problems, testicular and prostate cancer have been linked to the use of steroids. Other medical conditions associated with the use of steroids include reduced HDL cholesterol, stroke, gynecomastia, high blood pressure, increased bodily hair growth, infertility, sexual problems, addiction, among other problems (Katz). The other issue with the use of steroids is the involvement with sports. It has been argued that the use of steroids in sports destroys the integrity of competition. Athletes who use steroids to enhance their performance degrade their ability and the credibility of sports (D'Angelo and Claudio 701). It might be argued that athletes who use drugs are not as good as people perceive them to be. Because they use steroids to enhance their performance, they do not perform to their ability but to the ability of the steroids. The counter argument for this stance is that steroids had been in use for a long time before it became a popular subject in the press. Even before the anti-doping campaigns became popular, many athletes were using steroids behind closed doors. To this end, they argue that the game had already lost its credibility before the condemnations for the use of steroids became wide spread. The use of steroids has been pointed out as affecting competition (Katz 2008). Competition thrives on the basis of a level playing field for all participants. By using steroids, the basis for competition is derailed. Supporters of steroids, however, believe that the high expectations from other people lead athletes to use steroids. Athletes, thus, use steroids to meet the expectations of their fans. The use of steroids is bad in all aspects of life, be it for building body mass or for improving athletic abilities (Devine 637). In reality, however, athletic performance should be based on the athletic ability of the athletes. While using steroids might be appealing to some athletes, and the fans that need entertainment; it negatively affects the health of the athletes. Many athletes have had their careers cut short by steroids and others have even died early. The use of steroids also goes against basis for competition. Competition requires that a level playing field is provided for all participants, something that is derailed by the use of steroids (Pro Con.org). Anabolic Steroids The use of anabolic steroids by athletes has increased tremendously over the past two decades. Most sports personalities use them to boost their performance and enhance their chances to win in competitions. While these supplements might be beneficial to the athletes, albeit in short-term, they have been shown to have negative impacts, both to the athletes and to the integrity of the sport. The use of anabolic steroids in sports makes it hard to determine who deserves praise and reward for excellence in sports. Because anabolic steroids enhance performance, they uplift the athletic abilities of individuals and make them perform above their normal rate. Thus, it can be said that anabolic steroids give athletes an unfair advantage over their opponents. The use of steroids to gain advantage of others is both unfair and wrong to the hardworking and hardworking opponents. Such opponents usually work hard to become top in their hobby or profession (Sjoqvist, et al 1875) On the side of the athlete, anabolic steroids have devastating health effects. Although the athletes might be able to draw short-term benefits from the enhanced performance of their bodies, the impacts that anabolic steroids have on their body are not worth the short-term gains. Anabolic steroids have been linked to a host of devastating diseases and health complications. Health complications such as liver problems, testicular and prostate cancer have been linked to the use of steroids. While supporters of anabolic steroids have argued that anabolic steroids are safe when used responsibly, the opposite is true. Responsible use of anabolic steroids requires that they are used in very small amounts. However, such small amounts might not be able to boost performance to the desired limit (Pro Con.org). Thus most athletes end up abusing anabolic in their attempt to boost performance. Besides, the use of anabolic steroids is defended for having been used many medicines for long. While this assertion might be true, the fact is that they have never been designed to boost performance. Their use for performance enhancement is thus an abuse. Anabolic steroids are widely destructive to the users causing male uses to lose their sexual desire and even become infertile and impotent. Besides, steroids are believed to be associated with various heart complications. Despite these facts, supporters of steroids have continues to argue that steroids are not much worse than legally accepted killers such as tobacco. In their defense, they assert that, while tobacco remains one of the greatest causes of death in various parts of the world, it is perfectly legal (Pro Con.org). The use of anabolic steroids in sports stems from the desire of athletes to perform at the highest level. While the need for high performance is good for competitive sports, it is the cheating part that is not hurts the spirit of sport. Athletes continually strive to better their swing power. Not a single athlete wants to be seen as just an average athlete. All athletes desire to be noticed by their fans when they get into the field of play. Perhaps it is the pressure to perform that leads players to look for alternative means of upping their performance (D'Angelo and Claudio 701). However, most athletes go for shortcut in achieving these desires. They turn to anabolic steroids to enhance their performance. Indeed, supporters usually don’t care how the athletes improve their performance as long as they are kept entertained. However, competitive sports should be played fairly and naturally, without help from extra-human objects, artifacts, or chemicals that can be manufactured, bought, and sold (Pro Con.org). Many fans in the professional sports believe that doping subverts that very nature of professional sports. The statement could be justified considering that when some athletes do doping while others stick to the rules. Much as it is understood that winning has some components of cheating such as doping, other athletes feel they would be unfair to their competitors as well as their fans. The begging question is whether the same misgivings would be heard had the international sporting federation allowed doping. There are other instances where athletes especially the marathoners, use drugs whether knowingly or unknowingly. In that case, it cannot be tantamount to doping. The question would again revolve around whether anti-doping agencies should ban the use of certain pain killers that in the end amount to performance enhancing drugs. Most Olympians often use pain killers such as aspirin, but that does not fade the Olympic spirit (Katz). Illustrations of Athletes Involved in Doping There are several high-profile athletes who have been found guilty for having used performance enhancing drugs. Ben Johnson who was a well acknowledged athlete was born in 1961 in Falmouth, Jamaica. He was as rated the world’s fastest sprinter in the mid 1980s together with Carl Lewis. His achievements were significant given the fact that remained unbeaten in 21 consecutive starts over 100 meters, and in the 1988 Seoul Olympics he went ahead to set the new world record in the 100 meters. He was later banned after testing positive to steroids (American Heritage Dictionary, 2004).However, his ban from the Canadian athletics team was lifted in 1990 only to receive a lifetime ban in later on in 1993 from the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) (Josefson 702). The other athlete who has had his name tarnished is Lance Armstrong. The 7-time Tour De France champion amassed accolades from all over the world and earned the reputation as one of the greatest cyclists. Cycling is known as the sport that requires the use of performance enhancing drugs considering the physical nature required by the sport. As it turns out, Armstrong was known as the drug kingpin who just did not take drugs; he was a small mafia enforcer within the professional cycling. He ruthlessly went against anyone who threatened to unearth him and those who collaborated with him. He threatened and bullied team-mates, fellow cycling professionals, officials, and journalists. Perhaps that scenario could elicit calls for allowing doping in professional sports. This is the height of doping ever witnessed in professional sports. It was a blow to Armstrong’s hitherto illustrious career, and also did a major blow to his fans all the while (Nasaw 2012). The other athlete who came out in the limelight about their professional career is American 100-meter champion Marion Jones. She pleaded guilty in an emotional press conference where she admitted she used performance enhancing drugs to maintain her performance to the highest level because she felt she was under intense pressure to remain at the top of her game and keep making her fans satisfied (Josefson 702). Proponents of doping present their assertion that athletes who want to put their health and lives on the line by ingesting drugs; they should be permitted to do so because it is their bodies. The other argument is that the efforts seem futile especially the policies put in place and for that reason, banning it hurts the athletes who follow the strict guidelines. It would be better if the door is opened for every athlete. In other words, allowing doping in competitive sports would even the playing field. However, the idea of allowing for doping in sports would fallacious because of the fact that the best doping procedures are expensive, and professionals with biggest wallets can afford. The opponents of doping argue that doping does more harm than good to a professional’s body as their bodies would end up depending on those drugs (Hill 1967). Anti-Doping Campaigns The contemporary sports and the misplaced fixation of fame, winning at all costs and fortune by the media have encouraged growth of the market for doping-related substances. However, International Sporting Federations have collectively come together to fight the upsurge of doping in the sporting industry. Anti-doping campaign has been there trying to end the activity, but the athletes have become more clever and have resorted to using the drugs under high-level secrecy lest they be found (D'Angelo and Claudio 701). International Amateur Athletics Federation, Federation of International Football Association, and many other international sporting bodies have placed strict regulations on professional sports. For instance, if a professional footballer is called for doping test and he or she fails to turn up, a lengthy ban is imposed on the individual. High-level physical sports such as American football and Rugby can tempt professionals to secretly do doping. However, the measures imposed by the sporting association on doping are bearing fruits despite the fact that doping is taking another twist owing to the advancement of technology (Josefson 702). Conclusion Whether doping should be allowed in professional sports or not is an endless debate considering that proponents and opponents alike present strong arguments both in support and against the activity. However, any sport is a competition and it would only be prudent if the very nature of sports is enhanced through fair play. Allowing for the use of performance enhancing drugs would dent the meaning of competitiveness. Most fans of competitive sports have expressed their displeasure at the rate at which famous and exceptional professional athletes have become sporting disgrace for having admitted doping. Superstars such as Lance Armstrong, Marion Jones, Ben Johnson and many other sports personalities have since been banned from active professional sports in their respective careers. There are other health-related risks involved when an individual uses doping substances to enhance performance. All in all doping should not be allowed because it would mean that sport is not natural talent, but rather a fabricated or fictional activity. Works Cited D'Angelo, Carlos, and Claudio, Tamburrini. “Addict to win? A different Approach to Doping.” Journal of Medical Ethics 36.11 (2010): 700-707. Devine, John W. “Doping is a Threat to Sporting Excellence.” British Journal of Sports Medicine 45.8(2011): 637-639. Eber, Nicolas. “Doping and Fair Play.” Economic Analysis and Policy 39.3(2009): 345. Hill, D.W. “Performance-Enhancing Technologies in Sports: Ethical, Conceptual, and Scientific Issues.” Choice, 47.10(2010), 1967. Josefson, Deborah. “Concern raised about Performance Enhancing Drugs in the US.” British Medical Journal, 317.7160(1998), 702. Katz, Jeffrey. Should We Accept Steroid Use in Sports? NPR, 23 January 2008. Web. 11 November 2012. Nasaw, Daniel. Lance Armstrong Case: Can Doping be Permitted in Sports? BBC News Magazine, 14 June 2012. Web. 11 November 2012 ProCon.org. Should performance enhancing drugs (such as steroids) be accepted in sports? Web. 11 November 2012 Reginald, W. et al. “Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances.” Pediatrics, 115.4(2005), 1103- 1106. Sjoqvist, Folke, Mats Garle and M. and Anders Rane. “Use of Doping Agents, Particularly Anabolic Steroids, in Sports and Society.” Lancet, 371.9627(2008),1872-1882. Wiesing, Urban. “Should Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sport be legalized under Medical Supervision?” Sports Medicine, 41.2(2011), 167-176. 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