Why So Many Failed Drug Tests with Athletes in Professional Sports - Research Paper Example

Failed Drug Tests with Athletes in Professional Sports Executive Summary People seem to have lost their faith in major sports events, especially since the Lans Armstrong doping scandal. Today, the number of failed drug tests is increasing in professional sports because many athletes do not consider the use of performance-enhancing drugs as an unethical behavior. Researchers suggest that some drugs can have beneficial effect on athletes’ central nervous system so that they will become more aggressive in training and competition. In spite of the immense efforts taken by regulatory authorities to eliminate the issue of doping, still many athletes tend to choose victory over risk. School level education programs are really essential to increase athletes’ awareness of the negative effects of substance abuse and thus to create an anti-doping culture. Table of Content 1. Introduction 2. Failed Drug Tests in Professional Sports 3. Why So Many Failed Drug Tests? 4. Proposal of Solutions 5. Recommendations 6. Conclusion 7. References Memo Sender’s address Sender’s Email Phone No: (The Authority’s designation) Office Address Details Dear Sir/Sirs, Please find enclosed my article titled, “Failed Drug Tests with Athletes in Professional Sports” for your kind perusal. This overview of the alarming issue of drug abuse and falsified performance tendencies among athletes makes an empirical study of the scenario with a list of actual cases and citations for the relevance and accuracy of the material. This article exposes the real facets of the influence of the contrabands at the core of reality with a belief that investigative studies in the field of ethical and health issues may be encouraged for the benefit of a transparent sports world. While being aware of the very fact that complete elimination of performance-enhancing drugs is not practical in the near future, a few recommendations are suggested in the article to regulate the management of global sports for total dope-free competitions. Apart from addressing the issue from a social and individual perspective, for the compilation of this article, names of several prolific sports personalities who have been defamed for having failed tests for doping or substance misuse have been mentioned. Although the references are not deliberate, it is expected that the inclusion of such names will mark a symbolic effect among the readers about the social and professional destruction caused by this evil tendency. Thus, with due humility and appreciation for your excellence, I submit this article before you. I hope the compromises made at meeting the standards at different areas may be excused and this work will be considered for a favorable approval. Thank you for considering my article. (Signature of the sender) (Full Name of the sender) (Date) Introduction Professional sports have been a primary area of concern for most of the developed countries since ancient periods because they perceived sport activities as an opportunity to demonstrate their strength and dignity before the world. As the continuation of this policy, today nations really admire their sportsmen and provide them with huge financial incentives and superior living facilities. Nowadays many professional athletes use banned drugs to enhance their performance in mega sporting events despite immense preventive measures taken by organizations that regulate sporting competitions. The practice of using banned performance-enhancing drugs for winning sporting events is generally referred to as doping. According to internationally leading sports organizations like International Olympic Committee (IOC), the use of drugs to enhance sports performance is unethical. However, some ethicists argue that this practice is not unethical because it is not different from the use of some modern sporting equipment which can also give athletes an unfair advantage over their competitors. Whatever the ethics of using performance-enhancing drugs, this practice has many long term health risks for athletes, and it goes against the spirit of sports. This paper will explore the reasons for the growing number of failed drug tests with athletes in professional sports and suggest solutions to this problem. Failed Drug Tests in Professional Sports Over the last decade, the number of failed drug tests in professional sports and other major sporting events has notably increased. Doping is widely practiced by athletes during Olympics, but the International Olympic Committee often fails to detect such drug intake because the presence of many advanced drugs in blood is not easily identified. However, still there are many popular cases of failed drug tests in Olympics. One of the prominent cases of doping in Olympics is the victory of Ben Johnson in the 100 meter race at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Although Johnson lowered his own world record to 9.79 seconds in the race, presence of a drug called stanozolol was found in his urine, and subsequently his Olympic gold medal was rescinded. Lans Armstrong doping scandal revealed in the last year is another popular case of performance-enhancing drug use in Olympics. While analyzing the history of Olympics, it is identified that individual items such as cycling, weight lifting, and track and field are very commonly associated with doping or failed drug tests. Doping is practiced in soccer too, but soccer players are not strictly prohibited from using banned drugs. In 1991, Diego Maradona was suspended from football for 15 months when he was found guilty of using cocaine, and he was not allowed to play in the 1994 World Cup football after failing a drug test for ephedrine. A few athletes were sent home from the recent 2012 London Olympics also as they failed in drug tests. Why So Many Failed Drug Tests? In order to understand why the number of failed drug tests in professional sports is mounting, it would be relevant to examine the Goldman’s dilemma. Goldman’s dilemma is a question which was asked to world-class athletes by osteopath and publicist Robert Goldman. The question was whether the athletes would take a drug that can guarantee them success in sport but lead to their death after five years. Surprisingly, nearly half the participants responded that they would opt taking the drug (cited in Catanese, 2012, p.184). When the same question was asked to the public by various researchers, the findings indicated that the general public rejected Goldman’s dilemma overwhelmingly. It makes clear that athletes’ attitude towards risk and victory is entirely different from that of the general public. Although the number of athletes choosing the drug intake option dropped significantly in modern research studies, a notable percent of the athletes still like to choose victory over risk. Hence, it can be stated that professional athletes are extremely passionate to achieve victory, and they are willing to take any extent of risk for the accomplishment of their professional goals. Ciocca (2005) indicates that performance-enhancing drugs play a great role in increasing strength, muscle mass, and resistance to fatigue. The greatest effect of these drugs on the central nervous system that persuades athletes to take them is that they can make the performers more excited and aggressive in training and competition (Mayo Clinic Staff). Experts say that these drugs can really assist athletes to manage mental pressure effectively during the competition and obtain an emotional advantage over their competitors. According to an observation, “there are numerous psychological factors that contribute to a player’s propensity to engage in drug abuse substances like performance enhancement, perfection, confidence, motivation, task, ego, emotional status and low social support” (Neeraj, Maman & Sandhu, 2011). It was found that majority of the athletes who failed in drug tests in professional sport events were not adequately informed of the long term health effects of drug abuse. Hence, the lack of knowledge about the adverse health effects of drug abuse among athletes is also a major factor leading to so many failed drug tests. Professional athletes only aim to enhance their performance no matter how. In other words, as previous researchers point out, athletes’ win orientation can have a great influence on their doping attitude. According to the economic theory of doping, athletes’ economic status would be linked to their winning attitude, and most of the athletes perceive doping as the most feasible strategy to ensure success. Empirical evidences suggest that athletes who failed in drug tests were less confident in their sporting abilities as compared to their non-drug abusing colleagues. Therefore, lack of self confidence in athletes is another important factor increasing the rate of failed drug tests in professional sports. Studies found that athletes having deprived relationship with their family members or athletes who were physically or mentally abused in their childhood are likely to use banned drugs. Similarly, athletes with low social support are at high risk for doping. It is identified that athletes are more vulnerable to doping if they personally know other athletes who have enhanced their performance through the use of drugs. From their study, Neeraj, Maman, and Sandhu recognized that athletes who perceive “high ego involving climate” are likely to take performance-enhancing drugs. The researchers also argue that the criticism made by the coach regarding the athlete’s performance often negatively influences his/her perception, and this situation may end up in failed drug tests. They opine that the coach’s interaction with athletes sometimes causes ego in athletes and thereby increases athletes’ probability of abusing drugs to enhance sport performance (Neeraj et al). Many athletes tend to demonstrate concern over their mistakes and gauge high personal standards, and such a behavior plays a decisive role in doping. Some recent studies indicate that athletes have the tendency to turn towards the shortcut for attaining perfection through the use of muscle building hormones and other artificial stimulants. In addition, athletes’ anticipation of progress in perfection may also influence their doping behavior. If an athlete anticipates a certain degree of improvement in his/her performance and he/she is not able to achieve the desired progress, the athlete may tend to turn towards unfair practices like doping. In short, a variety of psychological and social factors influence the doping behavior of athletes. Proposal of Solutions As discussed in the previous session, the growing number of failed drug tests in professional sports can be linked to a range of psychological and social behaviors of athletes. As noted already, athletes’ lack of awareness about the long term health consequences of drug abuse is a significant contributory factor to failed drug tests in major sporting events. Therefore, it would be an effective strategy for regulatory authorities to develop and implement comprehensive education programs from school levels so as to keep people well informed of the banned substances in sports. If then, they will be informed of the adverse health effects of such practices even before they begin their career as a sportsperson. When athletes are informed of the fact that drug intake for short term achievements would ruin their health long term goals, they may refrain from the practice of doping. To justify, globally leading sports organizations like FIFA greatly rely on education programs for preventing the use of performance-enhancing drugs. If anti-doping polices are not effectively implemented, even sincere athletes may be forced to use drugs to enhance their performance so as to successfully compete with drug abusing participants. Under any circumstance, coaches should not encourage athletes to use banned substances to obtain a competitive edge over other participants. In the view of Vaughters (August 11, 2012), it is advisable for coaches, regulating authorities, and other officials to combine their efforts to eliminate this practice by putting great efforts into anti-doping enforcement. Athletic associations must drive a cultural shift that would emphasize on keeping the sport clean above winning. The common saying that ‘second is nothing, first is everything’ reflects the current attitude of the society towards sport competitions, and this situation would put high pressure on athletes, trainers, and other officials. This situation eventually force them opt to use performance-enhancing drugs to achieve the results desired. In order to prevent the issue of doping, it is necessary to change the society’s attitude towards sport competitions first. When athletes are allowed to participate in competitions with a relaxed mind, they will be free from the extreme pressure of expectations. The result is that they may not be forced to think about doping. Strict disciplinary actions must be taken against athletes who fail in drug tests so as to spread a strong message against the practice of doping. Under any circumstance, athletes who failed in drug tests in major sport events should not be allowed to participate in professional sport competitions again. In addition, it is advisable for the regulatory authorities to invest more in R&D activities to develop more advanced drug testing technologies to detect the presence of substances in blood because there are a wide variety of complex drug available in the market. Athletes’ family members and the society must render a strong support and they should stand with the athletes even when they fail to meet the expected standards. The practice of doping in professional sports cannot be eliminated effectively unless there emerges an anti-doping culture in the country. Recommendations Although a number of solutions have been proposed in the last session to eliminate the issue of doping, it is particularly recommendable for the authorities to pay specific attention to comprehensive education programs and well structured training practices. Sports authorities and school managements must take initiatives to provide athletes with great understanding about the immorality of the act and long term health effects of using performance-enhancing drugs in their adolescence. Since the coach’s interaction with athletes may influence their ego orientation, coaches from the school level must be vigilant while interacting with their trainees. Although it is the duty of coaches to grow sportsman spirit in athletes, they should never foster a culture of unhealthy competition which would force athletes to win the title through immoral ways. Coaches should not harass athletes when they fail to achieve the goals because frustrated athletes would seek unethical ways to get their goals accomplished. Hence, coaches at the school level must maintain a parental approach to their pupils. In addition, sports authorities may organize medical classes for athletes to keep them well informed of the health effects of substance abuse. When athletes understand the fact that performance-enhancing drugs would ruin their sport career, they are likely to abstain from this unethical practice. Referring to the Goldman’s dilemma, it is effective to convince athletes that substance abuse would bring an end to their career instead of merely explaining the health consequences of drug intake. Today abuse of performance-enhancing drugs is arguably an accepted practice among many athletes because they perceive it as a practice to maintain their physical fitness and stamina. A complete abolition of the use of these drugs would not be possible unless athletes change this attitude. In addition to the education programs, strict law enforcement is also recommendable for authorities concerned to fight the issue. Athletes who failed in drug tests once should be barred from even domestic competitions in order to spread a strong message against doping. Such a sport culture will certainly compel athletes to abstain from unfair performance enhancing practices like doping. UNESCO is actively working to eliminate the practice of doping thereby protecting the future of young sportspersons (UNESCO, 2014). There are many other global organizations striving to keep sports clean by implementing anti-doping campaigns and education programs. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA, 2014) suggests that effective value-based education programs can play a significant role in promoting anti-doping behaviors and developing a strong-anti-doping culture. WADA has implemented a prevention program called Independent Observer (IO) to randomly monitor and report on all the key stages of doping control and results management processes. This type of program would put a moral check on athletes and enhance public confidence in major sports events (WADA). Conclusion From the above discussion, it is clear that the practice of using performance-enhancing drugs by athletes is growing in professional sports. The doping case of Ben Johnson is a popular example for a failed drug test in athletics. Athletes have an entirely different mindset from other people, and hence they are willing to sacrifice anything to achieve their career goals. According to Goldman’s dilemma, athletes would take performance-enhancing drug if it can guarantee them success even though this practice would lead to their death within five years. Although today athletes are aware of the health effects and other implications of the drug abuse, still a notable percent of athletes choose victory over risk. The major cause of growing number of failed drug tests or doping is that these drugs can assist athletes to improve their muscle mass, stamina and resistance to fatigue. Furthermore, these drugs have a great effect on the central nervous system so that athletes become more excited and aggressive in training and competition. Value-based education programs from the school level are vital to grow an anti-doping behavior and culture. Finally, coaches should never encourage athletes to use drugs to obtain an edge over their competitors under any circumstance. References Ciocca, M. (2005). Medication and Supplement Use by Athletes. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 24: 719–738. Catanese, A. J. (2012). The medical care of the Judoka: A Guide for Athletes, Coaches and Referees to Common Medical Problems in Judo. Arizona, US: Wheatmark, Inc. Mayo Clinic staff. Performance-enhancing drugs: Know the risks. Mayo Clininc. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/fitness/in-depth/performance-enhancing-drugs/art-20046134 Neeraj, K., Maman, P & Sandhu, J. S. (2011). Why Players Engage in Drug Abuse Substances? A Survey Study. Doping Journal. Retrieved from http://dopingjournal.org/content/8/1/dopingj082010-01.html UNESCO. (2014). Learning to live together: Anti doping. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-sciences/themes/anti-doping/ Vaughters, J. (August 11, 2012). How to Get Doping Out of Sports. New York Times Sunday Review. World Anti Doping Agency. (2014). What we do. Retrieved from https://www.wada-ama.org/en/what-we-do/independent-observer-program Read More