The Usage of Performance Enhancing Supplements in Sport Competitions and Its Consequences

Performance-enhancing supplements have been employed in various sporting events, aiming to grant competitors an advantage over their opponents, and their widespread usage can even be traced back to the ancient Olympic games. In the past, ancient Greek athletes utilized various medications derived from herbs, wine potions, and even hallucinogens, all in pursuit of reaching the pinnacle of physical prowess and securing glory for themselves (Jenkins, 2007). Presently, with substantial financial stakes and significant sponsorships involved, some athletes may find it challenging to keep up with their peers on the playing field without resorting to performance-enhancing supplements. The allure of these substances leads many athletes to make the ill-fated decision of using them, often with disastrous consequences for their careers and reputations, all due to the intense competition and nature of the sport.

For some, the use of any substance that alters or enhances an athlete's performance should be unequivocally prohibited in professional sports. Conversely, others argue that events would become more captivating if all participants were performing at their peak physical levels throughout. This essay explores the concept of allowing performance-enhancing supplements in professional sporting events and the potential implications for the future of sports.

Performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports: pros and cons

An infamous incident involving performance-enhancing drugs occurred during the 1988 Summer Olympics in South Korea, involving the popular Canadian sprinter, Ben Johnson. Despite initially winning a gold medal and setting a new world record for the 100m dash, Johnson's use of anabolic steroids came to light three days later, leading to the forfeiture of his medal, which was awarded to his rival, Carl Lewis. The aftermath of this scandal revealed that several athletes, including Lewis, had also resorted to performance-enhancing drugs during their training for the Olympics and other events (Gillis, 2004). This episode highlights how many athletes felt compelled to use these substances simply to remain competitive in a field where their opponents were doing the same. Furthermore, it raises ethical questions surrounding the use of such supplements in major competitions like the Olympics, NHL, NFL, and NBA.

Anabolic steroids rank among the most commonly used performance-enhancing supplements in professional sports. Derived from the testosterone naturally found in higher quantities in males and lesser amounts in females, these drugs enable athletes to develop significantly larger muscles and attain greater overall strength, thus providing a slight edge over their competitors. However, the severe side effects, including heightened blood pressure, kidney failure, heart disease, and increased aggression, commonly referred to as "roid rage," pose significant risks to the athletes' well-being (Steve Watt, 2017). Despite the awareness of these dangers, athletes often accept the risks associated with drug use, partly due to the immense pressure society places on them to succeed.

While acknowledging the potential dangers, one must consider the intriguing prospect of allowing performance-enhancing supplements, particularly anabolic steroids, in athletic competitions without condemnation. Such a scenario could intensify the excitement of watching sports, as athletes would consistently perform at their peak physical condition. Just as NBA players have the choice to wear shooting sleeves to enhance their game, without it being banned, athletes could have the option to utilize supplements for improved performance.

Another pertinent case involves the South African Olympic athlete, Caster Semenya, who has exceptionally high levels of testosterone despite being female. This natural advantage enables her to run faster and triumph over most of her competitors. Semenya faced controversy in 2009 when the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) required her to undergo testing to confirm her gender after winning a world championship (IAAF, 2009). Although she was permitted to return to running after a brief ban, she later had to take testosterone-lowering supplements, sparking heated debates about the ethics of such decisions. If athletes are voicing concerns about competing against someone with a natural advantage, it raises the question of whether they should be allowed to use performance-enhancing supplements, like anabolic steroids, to level the playing field.

Conclusion

Given the long history of performance-enhancing supplements in sports, they have inadvertently become ingrained in certain sports, despite people's reservations. While many athletes who use these substances are eventually caught, those who don't gain an unfair advantage. The concept of allowing performance-enhancing supplements in athletic competitions seeks to place all athletes on an even playing field, promoting fairness for everyone involved.

References

1. Jenkins, I. (2007). "Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Ancient Olympic Sports." Sports History Review, 38(1), 33-47.
2. Gillis, M. (2004). "Drugs and Doping in Sport: Socio-Legal Perspectives." Routledge.
3. Steve Watt, M. D. (2017). "Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports." Journal of the American Medical Association, 317(10), 1017-1018.