Running head: BANNING OF STEROIDS IN SPORTS Banning of Steroids in Sports
Name: Brandon Lakomowski
Baker College 1 BANNING OF STEROIDS IN SPORTS 2
Introduction Steroids are organic compounds made up of four rings aligned in a particular molecular
configuration. Some examples of steroids include lipid cholesterol, sex hormones like
testosterone and estradiol, and anti-inflammatory drug called dexamethasone. Steroids have two
main biological functions; some steroids like cholesterol forms the cell membrane while other
steroids serve as signalling molecules which triggers some hormone receptors. However, steroid
use is illegal to sportsmen. This paper reviews the reasons as to why steroid use among
sportsmen is prohibited.
Anyone with a good understanding of currents events and sports can attest that steroid
use in sports is illegal. There are several stories almost every week where a high-profile
sportsman has been suspected or nabbed after using steroids prior to participating in a sports
event. First of all, use of steroids negatively affects the health of an athlete. Some of these health
complications include; affected endocrine, reproductive and liver function, tumours of the kidney
and liver, psychiatric symptoms and heart failure. Some of the side effects mentioned in the
National Centre for Biotechnology Information article are restricted to the improper use of
steroids. Steroids increase the metabolism of an athlete, therefore, making him or her stronger
and therefore giving him an added advantage over his or her competitors.
Sports is all about equality so as to ensure there is a healthy competition. When a
sportsman competes under the influence of steroids breaks that rule thus there is an unhealthy
competition. Furthermore, if such a sportsman under the influence of steroids fails to win, he or
she may think of taking some more dosage so that he can increase that chances of winning next
time. Use of steroids decreases the integrity of the sport. The Olympic Movement outlines the BANNING OF STEROIDS IN SPORTS 3 Olympic spirit as the spirit of friendship, mutual understanding, fair play and solidarity as the
fundamental pillars of sport. The integrity of sport is being compromised due to the use of
steroids and this lead to the establishment of World Anti-Doping Agency which was set up to
uphold the integrity of sports (Snyder, & Martin, 2015). The United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) department of drug and substance use believes
that “use of steroids jeopardizes the health of an athlete as well as the ethical and moral basis of
sports.” The National Football League created a steroid policy because steroid use among
football players threatens “the fairness and integrity of athletic competition” and “sends the
wrong message to young people who may be tempted to use them.” Sports is about a healthy
competition on equal footing, respecting the opponent as well as respecting the rules of the
game.
If steroids are permitted even under proper supervision, would still threaten the integrity
and fairness of the game. Athletes who may opt not to use these steroids have an unfair
advantage since they won’t wage the same level of competition as their counterpart using
steroids. This will compromise the fairness of the game as it will be longer about the best
talented or skills but the one who has consumed more steroids or the one who can afford the best
quality steroid in the market. This makes the use of steroids to go against the spirit of sport –
respect, solidarity and fairness (Anderson, 2014). The principle of respect among competitors is
compromised if one or both competitors sort to use steroids in an effort to boost his or
performance rather than depending their personal skills, talent, or strength.
Use of steroids has made players and club owners very rich thanks to the fact that the
players were never suspected of using it. This is big loophole on the side of the players who use
those steroids compromising the integrity of the game. Research findings show that when there is BANNING OF STEROIDS IN SPORTS 4 some lump sum amount of money to be made, particularly when choosing either to expose
steroid use or get rich they chose to take the money. The faster and stronger players often break
the records only to realize it was the effects of steroids and which is unfair to the rest of the
players who never used the steroids. Use of steroids is as good as cheating. Simply because there
are many athletes using steroids does not mean there are no large number of athletes who do not
use them. Those who do not use steroids dedicate much of their time so that they can be fit and
strong for the game they play while their counterparts relax awaiting to take steroids to enhance
their performance prior to the game. Athletes who use steroids perfect their skills within a shorter
period and some of these drugs give them enough energy to work out harder and longer (Snyder,
& Martin, 2015). Use of steroids inhibits showing of an athlete true skills. For example, a weak
hitter player in basketball may use steroids to become bigger and stronger and start crushing the
ball. However, the skills he is displaying is not his but those influenced by drugs. A recent study
shows that steroids can boost an athlete’s home run production by 50%.
Performance enhancing drugs like steroids cause life-threatening illnesses such as liver
and heart diseases. This means we are on the verge of losing some of our best athletes and
players. To avoid this the government and other nongovernmental organization should work hand
in hand to ensure that they eradicate its use. Even with the good that can come out of the use of
steroids, they are not worth the fatal risks and being known as a cheater for the rest of an
athlete’s career. The fairness of sport is being jeopardized due to the use of steroids and this lead
to the establishment of various agencies which was set up to uphold the integrity of sports
(Woolf, & Sripad, 2014). The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), division on anti-doping believes that “use of steroids jeopardizes the health of an
athlete as well as an ethical and moral basis of sports.” The National Football League created a BANNING OF STEROIDS IN SPORTS 5 steroid policy because steroid use among football players threatens “the fairness and integrity of
athletic competition” and “sends the wrong message to young people who may be tempted to use
them.” Sports is about a healthy competition on equal footing, respecting the opponent as well
as respecting the rules of the game. These are efforts to make sure use of steroids does not
interfere with the healthy competition among players.
Conclusion
The surest way to way to ensure the integrity of the game is maintained is implementing a
serious anti-steroid approach. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has established the most
comprehensive anti-steroid program worldwide which ensures that athletes are participating in
any game are non-users of steroids and athletes who are found having used it will be banned
from participating in sports and risk a jail time. Professional sports leagues must come up with
ways to model The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code in its individual anti-steroid
policies and avoid excuses to compromise anti-steroid efforts or steroid use. Athletes should also
be enlightened on why they should uphold the integrity of the game by making sure they do not
take performance enhancing drug in pursuit for recognition and money. All the players should
stretch themselves to the limits by practicing so that they can achieve their desired skills and
talents. This will ensure that the best player gets rewarded for his or her hard work rather than
rewarding a lazy player who use steroids to enhance their skills. BANNING OF STEROIDS IN SPORTS 6
References Woolf, J., Rimal, R. N., & Sripad, P. (2014). Understanding the influence of proximal networks
on high school athletes’ intentions to use androgenic anabolic steroids. Journal of Sport
Management, 28(1), 8-20.
Snyder, P. J., Matsumoto, A. M., O'Leary, M. P., & Martin, K. A. (2015). Use of androgens and
other hormones by athletes.
Anderson, T. L. (2014). Understanding Doping in Elite Sports through Anomie and General
Strain Perspectives. Understanding Deviance: Connecting Classical and Contemporary
Perspectives, 91.

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