Drugs in sports

Drugs in sports Abstract Drug use in sports has gained momentum in the recent past. The drug is used for performance enhancing (Coe, p. 224). Different sports have set up laws that are used to curb drug doping. Sports personalities use drugs to gain an advantage over the others. Performance enhancing drugs have been used in the Olympics by different people. For example, Thomas Hicks won the marathon after using strychnine.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Drugs in sports specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, the use of stimulating substances was banned in 1928 by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (Hartgens, p. 513). Although the ban was instituted a long time ago, athletes still use drugs to enhance performance. In 1976, East Germany nearly won all the swimming gold medals after the players were given steroids (Longman, p. 124). There is a debate about whether to allow drugs to be used in sports or impose a total ban. The proponents of this debate argue that drug use alone does not guarantee success in the field. A magnificent performance is a combination of proper nutrition and practice. However, this is not true because some drugs enhance the performance of an individual. Drug usage in sports should be banned because of its effects. These effects include; it provides an avenue for some athletes to cheat, it compromises the credibility and integrity of the results and it is illegal (Coe, p. 224). Introduction A drug is a natural substance that is taken to alter the general body functions (Wilson, p. 180). Drugs are used for several purposes. The nature in which a drug is used depends on the purpose of the drug. It can be used for; curative, stimulating, performance enhancing or as food. People consider any substance to be a drug based on the existing culture or legislature. Some traditions consider some drugs as food. Laws have been established about drugs based on the effects of the drug in th e body. It is illegal to use a drug that has been prohibited by a government or any organization. However, some drugs have been prohibited but can be used in the treatment of patients. Additionally, some drugs can be taken without the knowledge of an individual. In such a case, the drug is found in a substance that is taken as food. Using drugs to boost performance should be banned because it makes the sport lose its original intended meaning and it also causes several environmental and health problems (Hartgens, p. 513). Drugs should be used in sports Performance enhancing drugs should be allowed to be used in sports. Drugs that enhance performance satisfy the expectation of spectators watching games. People expect to watch a unique ability in the sports personality. This is made possible through the use of drugs because it gives an athlete the ability to demonstrate sports creativity.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Many fans watch athletes with the expectation to watch unique traits in the athletes (Wannamethee, p. 163). This makes the sport to become interesting. It is difficult to display a unique trait that is different from the human traits without the influence of performance enhancing drugs (Longman, p. 124). The major expectation of the fans is players to demonstrate creativity during the game. Therefore, many people consider a competition to be fair if all the players are allowed to use the drug. Here, all the players will have the same effect of the drug and the best will come out based on his creativity. It is upon the players to manipulate the drug through excellent training to obtain the best results (Wannamethee, p. 163). Technology has been introduced into sports. All people around the globe are comfortable with the use of technology in sports and disregard drugs. Technology is a result of creativity in the sports. Since the gen etic make up of athletes is the same, drugs would not provide an advantage over other players (Warburton, p. 78). Performance enhancing drugs have been used in other aspects of the human life. For example, many classical musicians use drugs to enhance their performance on stage. An excellent classical presentation requires a proper control of the pulse rate and blood pressure (Russell, p. 442). The musicians use the beta blockers to enhance the stage performance. A low pulse rate and blood pressure contributed by the beta blockers reduces the effects of stress and this gives the musician confidence to exhibit a sterling performance (Brantigan, p. 90). An outstanding stage performance is the expectation of the classical music fans. Using drugs to enhance a stage performance does not give the musician an advantage over others. It depends on the human creativity and practice (Brantigan, p. 90). Drugs should not be allowed in sports Drugs should not be allowed in sports because it provi des an avenue for some athletes to cheat (Haugen, p. 67). The doping process for athletes is not accurate. This gives some athletes who use the drugs an added advantage over those who do not use the drugs (Haugen, p. 67). The doping process is not used in all games. Therefore, there is no level playing field for the players. Consequently, a total ban on the use of drugs to enhance performance should be instituted to ensure that all the players have been given a level playing field. Players who use drugs and win competitions are not the genuine winners. Although other people argue that a level usage of drugs will make the players level in the field, the actual performance in the field does not reflect the potential of the player. A total ban on drugs in all sports gives a level playing field that reflects the exact potential of the players (Longman, p. 124).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Drugs in sports specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Additionally, different players from different countries have varying abilities to access the drugs. Therefore, if the drugs should be allowed, athletes from developing countries will not access the best drugs. The only way to have a level playing field for all players is through a total ban on the drugs in sports. Integrity in sports is the driving force behind the sports events. Using drugs by a section of players compromises the credibility and integrity of the results (Wilson, p. 214). To maintain credibility and integrity, drugs should be banned. Other players win after using drugs that have been prohibited. Here, the integrity of the results is compromised. The results obtained as a result of using prohibited drugs are illegitimate (Warburton, p. 78). Also, they lack authenticity. The spirit of any competition is to allow for a level playing where every player is given an opportunity to express his ability. A winner in such a competition is accepted by al l the fans around the globe. When a winner is declared after using drugs, the value of the sport is reduced. Therefore, the value of the sport remains a major issue in any sport or competition. Additionally, good personalities are expected to be role models (Browne, p. 497). Using drugs is prohibited and illegal. Allowing athletes to use drugs is itself an act of breaking the law. Good role models should obtain success through hard work and determination as opposed to using drugs (Browne, p. 497). In conclusion, drug use in sports should be based on the purpose of the drug. When the drug is used to enhance creativity, then it makes the sport interesting. However, these give the athletes a competitive advantage over the others. As such, the natural ability of the athletes is not properly rewarded. Although drugs make sports interesting, it makes the sport’s lack integrity. Additionally, drugs make the results of a competition to lack integrity and lose value. Additionally, dif ferent players from different countries have varying abilities to access the drugs. Therefore, if the drugs should be allowed, athletes from developing countries will not access the best drugs. The only way to have a level playing field for all players is through a total ban on the drugs in sports. The best way to ban using drugs is through a global organization. This institution should be equipped with excellent doping mechanisms to ensure that all the players are screened properly before participating in a competition. In addition, drug use in sports should be banned because of it adds a competitive advantage, and causes severe effects to the users. These effects include; it provides an avenue for some athletes to cheat, it compromises the credibility and integrity of the results and it is illegal.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More References Brantigan, C 2005, Effect of beta blockade and beta stimulation on stage fright, American Journal of Medicine, vol. 5. no. 72, pp. 88–94. Browne, A 2009, The ethics of blood testing as an element of doping control in sport, Journal of Medical Science Sports, vol. 3. no. 31, pp. 497–501. Coe, s 2004, We cannot move from strict liability rule, The Daily Telegraph, 25 Feb, p.21. Hartgens, F 2004, Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes’, Sports Medical Journal, vol. 9. no. 34, pp. 513–554. Haugen, K 2004, The performance-enhancing drug game, Journal of Sports Economics, vol. 4. no. 5, pp. 67–87. Longman, J 2004, East German steroids’ toll: ‘they killed Heid, Oxford University Press, New York. Russell, G 2002, Effects of prolonged low doses of recombinant human erythropoietin during sub maximal and maximal exercise, European Journal Applied Physiology, vol. 30. no. 86, pp. 442–449. Wannamethee, G 2004, Haemato crit, hypertension and risk of stroke, J Intern Med, vol. 23. no. 235, pp. 163–168. Warburton, C 2007, The Economic results of prohibition, Columbia University Press, New York. Wilson, B 2004, Hall overcomes cancer, then red tape to reach Olympics, Associated Press, London.