Should Sports Just Allow Athletes to Use Steroids and PEDs?

[People's Champ]

Steroids has always been a touchy subject in sports. MLB, NBA, NFL, cycling, on and on and on all have problems with steroids and performance enhancers. The biggest names in sports and minor ones have all had their names attached to it or have admitted to using them. Barry Bonds, Floyd Landis, Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGuwire, Rashard Lewis, Brian Cushing. Tiger Woods name has been associated with that Dr. Gala (?), who has been accused with passing out HGH. He has denied ever using them. Santana Moss of my Redskins has been accused as well. Floyd Landis accused Lance Armstrong of doping (who hasn't). We could go on for days with this.

My question is, should we and sports in general, just accept thses performance enhancers? Should we just allow them to be used, in order to create a level playing field? I mean think about it. Will they ever be able to create a level playing field by taking them out of sports? I don't think so. These althletes and doctors will always find a new drug and new supplament to take and avoid detection so give them that edge. And does anyone really care anymore if athletes take them? If it means more exciting games (for example baseball, with more hits, more homeruns) and better athletes, why not just let them?

So I pose this question to you. Should Steroids and Performance Enhancers be allowed in sports?

 

[Rhonda Rousey's Sports Bra]

I'll say no for health reasons above all else. I know some people just want to see an exciting game but steriods really break down a players body. If steriods were legal whats to keep some kid from juicing to make it to the big leagues and ruining his body? Steriods are illegal for a reason and just becuase it might cause bigger hits and higher averages doesn't mean it should outweight the toll it would take on the person using them's body.

 

[Ferbian]

I'm gonna say no as well, it poses a problem with staying healthy if you continue it for too long, and not allowing the enhancement drugs and steroids would therefore only benefit the person, even if they're taking it just to improve their abilities to perform and therefore increase their worth on the marked, which only helps them for a while, until they're discovered by the health system and fined.

On the other hand, it wouldn't seem real then, due to the fact that if everybody went on to be using the steroids and enhancement drugs you would be performing on fake material so to say, which would ruin the placement of true talent in my opinion.

Someone could be a great athlete, but refuse to take steroids and enhancement drugs, he could very well be the best in the world, but when someone less talented comes along, starts doing the drugs and steroids, being able to perform slightly better, it would ruin the worth or said best in the world, because from a fake standpoint he's not the best anymore.

I wouldn't want steroids and enhancement drugs to be allowed in sports, all natural and working hard is the true way to achieve greatness, and that fact should be honored, why cheat your way to something when you can do it the right way?

 

[People's Champ]

To play devils advocate here, health issues aren't stopping guys from doing it now. The fact is guys are doing anyways. And to say it would be fake, I understand that argument as well. But again, isn't a lot of what have witnessed fake anyways? Lance Armstrong's Tour De France wins may be tainted. Barry Bonds home run record. Tiger Woods majors may be. I mean, great athletes who are talented by themselves are using PEDs and steroids. A Rod admitted to it. Who is to say he's not still? So I get what you guys are saying, but its happening now anyways. There is no level playing field for guys who aren't using them.

 

[Ferbian]

Yes certainly there's people who is already using it, but why should we openly allow it, when we've seen the problems that it has caused on the world of sport, bodybuilding and even wrestling? I think past experiences should be enough to maintain the tight grip around the rules against steroids.

And the fact that some of the greatest are, and have been using steroids as well, yes certainly their legacy is somewhat tainted, I have to admit I was heartbroken to know that Bjarne Riis had been using enhancement drugs to win his Tour De France, but just because some of the greater people have done that, doesn't mean we have to "taint" the whole sports legacy by openly allowing everybody to do the same thing.

 

[People's Champ]

Yes certainly there's people who is already using it, but why should we openly allow it, when we've seen the problems that it has caused on the world of sport, bodybuilding and even wrestling? I think past experiences should be enough to maintain the tight grip around the rules against steroids.

And the fact that some of the greatest are, and have been using steroids as well, yes certainly their legacy is somewhat tainted, I have to admit I was heartbroken to know that Bjarne Riis had been using enhancement drugs to win his Tour De France, but just because some of the greater people have done that, doesn't mean we have to "taint" the whole sports legacy by openly allowing everybody to do the same thing.

But will it be "tainted" if everyone is using, or is given the opportunity to use it? Yes there have been problems with its use, but I would argue that its the ABUSE that has caused thesed problems, not exactly its use. There have been studies that have shown that if used correctly, the health risks are not as high as if it is abused. So not allow it? If they are no longer banned then they can be monitored when used. Instead of doing things themselves and hiding, or using secret doctors, they can be openly monitored to ensure they are used properly.

The fact that you said the greatest are "somewhat tainted" leads me to ask you if you are personally bothered if an athlete uses. I would argue that a lot of fans don't care anymore if they are using or not. And believe me if the greatest are using then you know those who are relatively unknown are as well. Everyone strives to be the best, and if the best are using, then they will to. You can't be naive and think this is a small problem that only a few are doing. Granted, not everyone is, but there are a lot who do.

 

[Ferbian]

You said yourself, the health risks is not as high, it still poses a problem, and therefore should still be something that isn't allowed if you ask me, due to the fact that there will still be situations where it's gonna happen, and letting everybody use it, won't lower the amount of people that are abusing the things already, but maintaining the rule against it and striking down on it, may very well lower the amount of people that are doing it, and thereby lower the amount of people that are gonna suffer from problems with it.

And I'd still consider it to be an overall completely tainted sport if everybody was using it then to be honest, because nobody would be doing it the "honest" way.

I'm not Personally bothered, but I am bothered looking up to a great talent, someone who is cleanly regarded as one of the greatest, and has been very honored for his achievements, to suddenly jump forth "yep, I did it as well" which is something Bjarne Riis for example did, he denied it for years, but suddenly as it became cool to admit the usage, he did it as well, and lost some of my respect for him to say the least.

And the respect part, is gonna be lost from my side to say the least if everybody has to use it, because as I said, it's taking a short cut in my eyes, something, while it's their life, I wouldn't stand up and look him in the eyes and tell him "you did steroids, I'm proud of you, because you achieved greatness, you still drugged yourself better, but you achieved it, and I respect that" that will never happen for me.

And no I'm not naive and thinking only a few people are doing it, I know there's a majority of people that has done, or is doing it still to this day, but that doesn't mean I have to respect and enjoy the whole product and therefore allow them all to be doing it just because somebody is doing it, as I said, I would rather watch a sport where things are achieved in a honest way, through working for your achievements.

 

[Remix]

I'm going to say no. Not because of health issues. Sportsmen and women are big boys and girls and are more than capable of rational decisions and be responsible for their actions, but because sportsmen and women are held to a higher moral standard than us meer mortals. Whether or not that should be the case or not is debatable, but it is true.

Atheletes, even the ones which aren't in competitive sport are looked at as role models. The successful ones become heroes in their native countries. In Beijing, chinese people were watching the hurdles soley because of that event having one of the very few gold medal candidates in the track and field events. What message does it send to children if the only way to become a success is by taking PEDs? It's not debatable that this is the case either. James Crossley (Hunter from the old UK version of Gladiators) allegedly said that he and the rest of the Gladiators were piss tested up to 10 times a year, with one Gladiator getting fired for doing drugs (Shadow for cocaine) simply because of how high of a standard they were being held to.

It also sets a bad precident for other forms of cheating to eventually be allowed.

 

[People's Champ]

Now your arguing about the perception about its usage. I never said it has to be something respected. No one has to compare these guys to the greats before them. Those in the past before this new era would be untouchable as far records, greatness etc. But the facts are our view has already changed. At first it was a huge thing. Everyone was so concerned about legacy and history. Now? No one care anymore. We are all tired of hearing story after story of players that may be our favorites caught using. We are tired of hearing about the unfair playing fields. So how do you get rid of that? Let them use.

 

[People's Champ]

I'm going to say no. Not because of health issues. Sportsmen and women are big boys and girls and are more than capable of rational decisions and be responsible for their actions, but because sportsmen and women are held to a higher moral standard than us meer mortals. Whether or not that should be the case or not is debatable, but it is true.

Atheletes, even the ones which aren't in competitive sport are looked at as role models. The successful ones become heroes in their native countries. In Beijing, chinese people were watching the hurdles soley because of that event having one of the very few gold medal candidates in the track and field events. What message does it send to children if the only way to become a success is by taking PEDs? It's not debatable that this is the case either. James Crossley (Hunter from the old UK version of Gladiators) allegedly said that he and the rest of the Gladiators were piss tested up to 10 times a year, with one Gladiator getting fired for doing drugs (Shadow for cocaine) simply because of how high of a standard they were being held to.

It also sets a bad precident for other forms of cheating to eventually be allowed.

That last comment was not for you. But this one is.

I'm sorry but if your child looks up to sports athletes as role models, they you have failed as a parent. Athletes are their for our entertainment, not to be role models. Take out the drugs part. Your going to tell me that these athletes who cheat on their wives, cheat on their taxes, gamble heavily, vist strip clubs etc are good role models? Sorry I'm not buying that argument. Parents should be teaching their kids that these guys are athletes and nothing more. I was taught that and never did I look up at a star and think that's who I want to be. Parents should be their kids role model.

 

[Big Sexy]

Their is no way steroids should be allowed and the logic used in this thread to say they should be is extremely flawed. Even before testing became a more prevalent thing not every athlete used steroids. You are basically saying it's ok for the players who want to cheat and harm their bodies to do it even at the expense of the players who do things naturally and don't have any extra "help" to achieve success.

I'll relate this to a high school. What you're doing is basically saying it's ok for a student to cheat on their homework and tests because it will get them a better grade. Even though some students won't do it and find it morally wrong and consider it cheating, that is irrelevant. The students who don't want to try as hard can just take a short cut and excel beyond their normal capabilities.

Allowing steroid use would do about 1000X more harm then good. "Allowing steroids will bring more excitement and home runs" is not a good argument. Just because it's hard to get rid of all the enhancing supplements used doesn't mean sports leagues should just give up. Their has been a lot of change for the better in the last decade and although it may be impossible to always catch everyone all the time, I think it's safe to say that usage has decreased dramatically and will continue to do so.

 

[People's Champ]

So what would the difference be from whether it was ok or not? Its not ok now yet its still a big problem. There are athletes who think its wrong and won't do it, yet there are still a lot of athletes who do. You think testing has detered a lot of guys from using? That's being naive. Has anyone being able to do testing for HGH yet? No. There are countless drugs out there that can be used and go undectable. So you telling me that "its wrong for the guys that don't want to do it" is not good enough. Because its happening anyway.

And the argument that it will allow people to be lazy and not work hard is garbage. That's the biggest misconception about PEDs. You think that just because you take them that all of a sudden you become one of the best? You still have to work hard at your sport. I can be a boxer who takes PEDs and still be beat and knocked out if I don't have any skill in the ring. If I don't know how to swing a bat properly, it won't matter how many times I take steroids. So no matter what, there is still work that is required.

 

[Big Sexy]

Its not ok now yet its still a big problem.

Yes but like I said a ton of progress has been made over the last decade.

You think testing has detered a lot of guys from using? That's being naive.

No that's being realistic. Since 2005 when baseballs policy became stricter the number of players testing positive and being suspended has gone down significantly. 12 MLB players were suspended because of the policy in 2005 and only two were suspended last year. That isn't a coincidence.

Has anyone being able to do testing for HGH yet? No. There are countless drugs out there that can be used and go undectable

Actually MLB and the NFL are both in talks with their player's associations about blood tests that can detect HGH. Research is ongoing all the time to find other tests as well that can detect it. What you are proposing is to just give in and let the players do what they want. Completely disregarding all of the past work and current work that is being put in to solve this problem.

So you telling me that "its wrong for the guys that don't want to do it" is not good enough. Because its happening anyway.

But not nearly as much as it was before, and the numbers will continue to decrease as more research is done.

And the argument that it will allow people to be lazy and not work hard is garbage. That's the biggest misconception about PEDs. You think that just because you take them that all of a sudden you become one of the best?

No, I actually have a brain that thinks logically and doesn't spew out bullshit. I never said guys still don't have to work hard and have talent. All I said was that using these PED's improves their performance beyond what it should be and it's unfair to the athletes that are clean. A guy hitting 35 homers a season can be boosted to a 50 homer guy by using these PED's. Even though his numbers were great before, now he is in an elite company that he doesn't belong in.

 

[People's Champ]

Ok misread your statement so my bad on that part. I do believe that progress has been made, however I don't think it will go as far as people think. There will always be drugs that are developed that will be 3 steps ahead of testing that is done. I speak as a fan frustrated with steroids stories and hearing of athlete after athlete being named and seeing the greats brought down. And the lesser known players who get caught trying to move up. The money being made and the pressure to be great will always drive players to stay ahead or move up.

 

[TwistofRKO]

Certain levels of HGH should be allowed, as they would have no worse health impact than creatine. The only problem currently is the cut-off, why one thing should be allowed when something on the banned list is nearly identical. If it has no deathly affect, whats the different between dropping money on a bucket of protein powder and HGH pills? There is none.

Steroids, no. They are very dangerous and set a bad precedent. You can't just allow it because it'd be better for the business. Highly unethical.