Drugs in Sports

After listening to Steve Runner on his podcast - Phedippidations, talk about drugs in sports, I really sat down and thought about it. My feeling in the past is two-fold; first I think it is cheating, and second, maybe everyone should be allowed to use performance enhacning drugs, this way it is a level playing field. I have changed my mind.

Using performance enhancing drugs is cheating - period. If an athlete tests positive for drugs, there needs to be consequences. In track and field, if you test positive once, you are slapped with a two year ban from the sport. If you test again, it is a lifetime ban.

So why do the drugs? Fame, money and stupidity as far as I am concerned. Justin Gatlin, Olympic God Medalist and co-record holder in the100m, is now serving an eight year ban from the sport. He claims he had no knowledge of the drugs. I have to say I NEVER buy that. I am constantly aware of what I put into my body. If I am concerned at all about my run, I want to be sure I am eating right, and not taking damagng drugs.

Fame has a price. The price with steroids and other performance enhancing drugs is what it will do to your body. Is damaging your body worth a few seconds in a race? Is it worth another home run? The short term effects of drug use have long term effects that no one wants to go through. Yet there are athletes out there who do. The sports know they do, and come up with weak rules regarding drug use. Sadly, as long as money fueling sports, drug use is not going to be taken seriously.

Now for the typical runner, like you and me, we have no need to take these drugs. While Iwould love to qualify for the Boston Marathon, I know that it would be freakish if I was able to shave over 4 hours off my last marathon. The physical toll would eventually do too much harm.

Drugs are a form of cheating, pure and simple. I hope Gatlin is able to appreciate what has happened. Maybe he could start his new life talking to younger athletes about not using drugs.

Charlie