Issues Facing High Profile Sports People - Literature review Example

Name Institution Tutor Date Introduction One of the most significant challenges facing professional sports today is drug use by high profile participants (O'Leary, 2013). High profile sports personalities are however some of the most influential people in the society today (Waddington & Smith, 2013). They comprise of popular sportsmen and women who have achieved highly in their disciplines, setting records, appearing or being mentioned frequently in media, earning large incomes and gaining a lot of power in the process (Moller & Waddington, 2015). They generally appeal to all categories of people, confirmed by their frequent appearance in product marketing campaigns, but are naturally most idolized by young people who consider them to be role models (Rosen, 2008). Drug use is a reality in high profile sport, and compromises the ethical responsibility of sportspeople as role models in society. This paper discusses drug abuse by high-profile sportspeople contrasted with their ethical responsibility to the community. The Problem of Drug Use by High Profile Sports-People A great number of high profile sports personalities have in the past been caught and at times admitted having used illicit substances, whether performance-enhancing or purely recreational (Pipe & Hebert, 2008). Whichever the case, this is unacceptable. According to Robinson (2010) , use of performance-enhancing and recreational drugs is presently widespread, well-known to the public and a source of much debate. The debate mainly centres on the argument that it produces the effect of making sports more competitive, as a result of which there is an increasing of the sports’ entertainment value. On the other hand, it reduces the value of sports activities. Sportsmen and women nevertheless at times either deliberately or unknowingly consume dietary supplements which have similar effects to performance-enhancing drugs. Right from the inception of the Olympic Games and ancient Greece, sportspeople have been willing to engage in any sort of preparation for maximized performance (Rosen, 2008). However, according to McDermott (2015), drug use really increased as from the 1960s. Around this time, anabolic-androgenic steroids started being available, with the government of East Germany providing them for instance to its international athletes to boost competitiveness. Rosen (2008) explains that to deal with the reality of the challenge posed by the problem, there was establishment of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that would henceforth regulate usage of drugs within competitive sports. WADA was created on 10 November 1999 in a joint effort under the leadership of the International Olympic Committee, and it gives a periodic update of its list of prohibited drugs, covering steroids, narcotics, growth factors, stimulants, growth factors and cannabinoids. Reasons for Drug Use by High Profile Sportspersons Many high profile sports-people use recreational drugs on their part as a way of relaxing, boosting their self-confidence, coping with previous losses and dealing with the stress and pressure that arises from the need to win throughout (O'Leary, 2013). According to Waddington & Smith (2013), pressure often arises from peers, where a sportsman directly observes of hears about how other colleagues use certain drugs, with a positive outcomes. There are also instances where such usage is encouraged by teammates so as to make the team stronger. Support teams, for instance coaches, healthcare professionals end even family and friends will place expectations hence pressure on the person. Some also use drugs as a way of boosting confidence and self-esteem or even to hide abuse of other substances. The main motivation for use of performance enhancers, which may at times be recreational drugs, is the money and fame. Rosen (2008) explains that this is worsened by the fact that for instance in the United States, the culture mostly values being number one. This is seemingly more with time, so that being a high profile sportsperson brings with it a highly prestigious celebrity power and status. There is also at times the feeling that others are also taking drugs, so it should not be too wrong to do so too. One might feel that if he does not take it, someone else taking it might be advantaged. The accessibility of drugs is a factor that encourages their use. O'Leary (2013) explains that when anyone who needs to get a drug, whether performance-enhancing or recreational is able to find it, the probability of its abuse becomes greater. The fact that high-profile sportspeople have large incomes makes this worse. Well-paid athletes will not find it difficult to purchase large quantities of otherwise expensive recreational drugs, worse still performance-enhancing drugs that are more of an investment in their future performance and therefore generation of income. The internet has especially made it easier to get whatever one wants. Use of drugs is promoted by the kind of media coverage provided. According to McDermott (2015), the media is always seemingly in an effort to sell. For this reason, it focuses a lot on drug-related scandals within the sporting world. This has a negative dimension because it might provide athletes with the false impression that the drugs are extensively used in sporting activities. Pipe & Hebert (2008) state that in addition, there is lack of understanding as a factor, so that some athletes who engage in the practice unknowingly through failure to interpret information on medicines properly. There is also the probability of being misled by information. This happens where some supplements may appear safe, but in reality contain small amounts of banned substances. Inaccuracies in labeling for some supplements are a factor in this case. The Harm of Drug Use Even if drugs such as steroids increase the sportspeople’s muscle growth and endurance, their negative side effects are extensive. According to O'Leary (2013), anabolic steroids for instance have serious psychological and physical effects. These include long term damage in the form of stroke, heart attack, cancer, stunted growth of bones and aggression. Drugs generally provide a feeling of invincibility, leading to rage attacks, an overly macho behavior and even psychosis. Apart from the effects on one’s health, use of such drugs will have social consequences, especially if one is sanctioned. According to Wijethissa (2016), these include loss of income, a destruction of career, loss of any achievements that may have been made before and being cut out from sponsorships. Unlike the performance-enhancing drugs, recreational drugs also provide some level of advantage with regard to improvement of performance (Mottram, 2005). However, many of them are included in lists of prohibited substances. Waddington & Smith (2013) explain that for the sportsman, their effects, just like in the performance-enhancing type are however extensive. Whenever someone is very active, as is the case during sport, the body changes as it adapts to offer the kind of support needed for the activity. For instance, there is a rise in heartbeat so as to deliver oxygen to all muscles. The brain meanwhile tries hard to coordinate movement, ensure alertness and maintain the body’s temperature. The body is therefore made in a way that it coordinates itself well to ensure maximum performance. A mixing of sport and drugs however interferes with this. Participation in sport demands a lot, mentally and physically from the individual. However, according to Robinson (2010), drugs will interfere with normal function of the body and mind. Breathing is for instance affected. Depressants cause the slowing down of a person’s breathing and reduction of lung capacity, making it difficult to get the necessary oxygen during sport, when oxygen is needed most. A stimulant will on the other hand cause a rise in heart rate, with the effect of additional stress on the heart. There is also risk of developing abnormalities in heart rhythm, possibly leading to chest pains. When a depressant is taken, there is also slowing down of the heart rate. Drugs affect human muscles. According to O'Leary (2013), when a depressant is used for instance, it reduces motor activity, leading to difficulties in managing movement coordination. A stimulant will on its part increase such movements, leading to a greater likelihood of getting injuries during sport. Concentration is on its part affected by drugs, so that when a depressant is taken, alertness is lowered and reaction times made longer. A stimulant will on its part cause restlessness and irritability therefore less focus still. Mottram (2005) adds that drugs are usually developed in a way to relate with the recognition sites essentially receptors therefore affecting certain body receptors. A tendency towards the use of drugs may bring about side effects to the body receptors of a person engaging in sports. The drug user is affected spiritually. According to Moller & Waddington (2015), intake of drugs is usually because of its initial effect, which is the production of a temporary ‘high’. They create feelings of invincibility, euphoria and wisdom. However, the attainment of such feelings can never be created or increased artificially, and instead there is the destruction of the brain cells which are required for self-development by narcotics. The drugs produce an opposite effect to the cleansing and proper spiritual development that normally arises by means of a steady, slow growth, and not the debasement of the human unit, usually coming from drug abuse. The Effect on Society Drug usage in sports is not only a problem for the game, but also for the society in general. According to McDermott (2015), this is because it passes the messages to fans, who are often the younger members of the society, that cheating is not wrong, especially if you manage to avoid being caught. It also suggests that to be the best in life or sport, a little bit of breaking rules is accommodated, if not rewarded. Waddington& Smith (2013) explain that high profile sportsmen, particularly athletes are the most popular hero-figures for young boys. However, there is constant presentation in the media of the message that success is about winning, and being second is a loss. It is no longer about how the game is played, unlike for instance during the 1970s and 80s. The use of drugs by high profile sportspeople will always have a far-reaching effect. McDermott (2015) adds that among young people, especially high school males, professional athletes are major influences, therefore often role models. A role model is a person whose success, example or behavior may be or is copied by other members within the society. When role models use the drugs, they influence millions of their young admirers to do the same. According to Waddington & Smith (2013), these are mostly other upcoming athletes. Any young athlete that sees his or her hero rising to greater success by use of such drugs, there is the likelihood that he will consider it the only way of attaining success. Fans who admire the individual will also engage in whatever he does, especially in the use of recreational drugs, as it will appear normal. A large number of young people could also take drugs so as to be compliant with cultural definitions of manliness, and others as a way of getting a perfect body or boosting their sports performance. Young people often try to be like their admired high-profile sports idols. Wijethissa (2016) suggests that whenever for instance a high profile athlete admits to having used steroids, the message passed to young athletes and fans therefore is that it is somehow allowed as part of the procedure towards being elite and successful. Apart from the cultural impact of promoting lack of integrity and non-following of rules, there is the health impact upon society. Dealing with drug-related cases is also a heavy burden upon the society, because rehabilitation and treatment are costly, both in terms of the required finances, and time that would have been dedicated to the handling of other health conditions. The Ethical Responsibility of High Profile Sportspeople The power that high profile sportspeople have in society brings with it ethical responsibility. According to Wijethissa (2016), this refers to the duty they have to ensure that they do the right thing for the sake of the society. They are supposed to help avoid anything that may mislead the young people, especially drug use, eating disorders and other behavioral wrongs that may arise as the youths try to be like them. They are also supposed to ensure that there is fairness in how they engage in competition, at least as an example of what should happen in all aspects of community life. Ethics demands honesty and fair play. However, according to Mottram (2005), drugs negatively affect team performance and cohesiveness. It has the effect of reducing togetherness, energy, commitment, togetherness and trust. The use of drugs in sport is immoral. According to Moller & Waddington (2015), this is because it is a violation of virtues such as trustworthiness and honesty, which in turn compromises integrity and fairness in competition. There are usually social values that are taught to everyone, for instance teamwork, competition, cooperation and dedication. With the use of drugs by socially influential people however, these end up being replaced by a culture of extremely high excellence, in which one does anything to succeed. High profile athletes influence young people a lot. Whenever one therefore for instance admits that he used steroids, a number of young athletes are likely to consider it part of the procedure whenever one wants to rise to becoming an elite competitor. Conclusion Drug use is unfortunately a common practice in high profile sport. While it is known to be wrong and exposes competitors to costly sanctions however, many high-profile sportspeople in various disciplines still engage in it. Recreational drugs are mainly used as a way of coping with the stressful life coming with the status, and as a means of relaxation. Performance enhancing drugs are on their part mostly used as a way to win and gain the financial rewards that come with it. The easy accessibility and media coverage provided to drug-related cases also makes them more appealing, often at a risk to the user’s physical, psychological and spiritual well-being. High profile sport provide role models that are capable of assisting the community to strengthen its pride, unity and progress, hence have the ethical responsibility of remaining positive influences on the rest of society. They are also supposed to portray the right attitudes and approaches to competition, and not promote cheating as a way of surviving life’s challenges. References Moller, V and Waddington, I. (2015). Routledge Handbook of Drugs and Sport. New York: Routledge. McDermott, V. (2015). The War on Drugs in Sport: Moral Panics and Organizational Legitimacy. New York: Routledge https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=JcnMCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA173&dq=The+War+on+Drugs+in+Sport:+Moral+Panics+and+Organizational+%09Legitimacy.&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiRgvn8vqbMAhXKvBoKHUUNBW8Q6AEIGzAA#v=onepage&q=The%20War%20on%20Drugs%20in%20Sport%3A%20Moral%20Panics%20and%20Organizational%20%09Legitimacy.&f=false Mottram, D. (2005). Drugs in Sport. London: Routledge . O'Leary, J. (2013). Drugs & Doping in Sports. New York: Routledge https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=5-uNAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA207&dq=Drugs+in+Sport.+School&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiEqJT6xabMAhVLnBoKHSCpCEI4ChDoAQgnMAI#v=onepage&q=Drugs%20in%20Sport.%20School&f=false Pipe, A and Hebert, P. (2008) Doping, Sport and the Community. Canadian Medical Association Journal. Vol. 179 (4): 303- 305. http://web.a.ebscohost.com.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=f6851d31-84ee-4893-ad89-45cd7e602b27%40sessionmgr4003&vid=1&hid=4212. Robinson, T. (2010). Performance-enhancing Drugs. Edina: ABDO Publishing. https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=kdN6AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA4&dq=Performance-enhancing+Drugs.+Edina:+ABDO+Publishing&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Performance-enhancing%20Drugs.%20Edina%3A%20ABDO%20Publishing&f=false Rosen, D. (2008). Dope: a History of Performance Enhancement in Sports from the Nineteenth Century to Today. Westport: Praeger https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=yCzbk7F8DGgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Dope:+a+History+of+Performance+Enhancement+in+Sports+from+the+Nineteenth+%09Century+to+Today&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Dope%3A%20a%20History%20of%20Performance%20Enhancement%20in%20Sports%20from%20the%20Nineteenth%20%09Century%20to%20Today&f=false Waddington, I and Smith, A. (2013). Sport, Health and Drugs: A Critical Sociological Perspective. New York: Routledge https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=ASxGAQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Sport,+Health+and+Drugs:+A+Critical+Sociological+%09Perspective.&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Sport%2C%20Health%20and%20Drugs%3A%20A%20Critical%20Sociological%20%09Perspective.&f=false Wijethissa, C. (2016). The Key Issues Facing High Profile Sports People and the Ethical Responsibilities that they have to the Community at Large. Journal of Sports and Physical Education. Vol. 3 (1): 37-40 http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jspe/papers/vol3-issue1/I0313740.pdf Read More