Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) are everywhere in the sports world. This is not a breaking news/whistle-blower type of situation. When someone hears about PEDs, pictures of Mark McGuire or Barry Bonds crushing baseballs over the fence and gaining record-breaking home run statistics is what usually comes to mind. Also anabolic steroids and HGH (Human Growth Hormones) are what people think of first. But not all PEDs that are taken by athletes are meant to help build the body. Some just help their minds. The most widespread of all PEDs are prescription and street drugs that can help athletic performance in various ways. With all the different types of sports being affected by PEDs, I have a question: Is it a problem? Or is this just the way it is and will continue to be?
I am a purist when it comes to sports. I believe that if an athlete uses substances to enhance their performance, they are not legitimate athletes. They are junkies trying to do something they can't by any means necessary. If I were to pop about 60mg of Adderall and go play baseball, chances are I would be pretty damn good at seeing a curveball and ultimately get a hit or two. Maybe even a home run! I am not a professional caliber athlete though. But under the right influence I could be. Anybody could be. Is that right? I don't think so.
The late, legendary comedian George Carlin has argued in his book, "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops", that every single piece of equipment used in sports has been improved over the years. And he is 100% right! From football pads and helmets, baseball bats, golf clubs and balls, etc. It goes right down the line. So his contention is: Why shouldn't an athlete treat his body as just another piece of equipment? Another tool, if you will. Although he was a comedian, he made VERY intelligent remarks and had compelling insights as well. This one excerpt from his book is no exception. But my question is this: Is he right?
PEDs seem to be EVERYWHERE you look in sports: baseball, football, the latest "big deal" MMA (if you didn't know, then come on), all of the Olympic events, tennis, even cycling with Lance Armstrong. Chances are, if you're watching a sporting event, whether collegiate or professional, around 70% of the athletes you see competing are under the influence of some form of Performance Enhancer. It seems that even though an athlete can get in trouble with fines and suspensions from their respective sports, these penalties are not enough to deter them from using banned substances and PEDs. But since there are millions of dollars to be made as an athlete, I guess it makes sense.
God only knows how long this has been going on throughout the sporting world. I would be more forgiving if an athlete chugged 15 Red Bulls and ran out on their respective field of play to compete. But the use of a hardcore, banned substances is a whole different story. Anything that comes in the form of injection, pill, or powder (and I am not talking about Creatine) or anything you have to hide should not, in my opinion, be a part of sports and is considered cheating. Not just cheating the sport of a given athlete, but the fans as well. Fans who bring their children, spectating and paying hard-earned money to watch these so-called athletes perform.
Sports are something I love. To tarnish any sport by cheating or gaining an unfair advantage is borderline sacrilegious to me. Forget the New England Patriots and their "Spy-Gate" or "Deflate-Gate" scandals in the NFL. Users of PEDs are by far the biggest cheaters. I wish PED usage in sports would stop, but it probably won't. Because, if what I think is true (that at least 70% of athletes use PEDs), than there wouldn't be anyone left to play or compete in the sports I love so much. Sadly, at this point, PEDs have become synonymous with athletes and almost any sport you can name.
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