Performance Enhancing Drugs
Leadership: Sports Figures/Performance Enhancing Drugs
Background
The use of performance enhancing drugs is a serious issue in many sports. The use of these drugs can be traced back to the original Olympic Games. Athletes used performance enhancing drugs to gain a competitive edge and to exceed their abilities. The use of banned performance enhancing substances began to escalate further worldwide, even more after the introduction of drug testing. This international concern lead to the formation of the World Anti-Doping Agency in 1999.
Why Performance Enhancing Drugs Were Used Many athletes used life threatening substances because they felt they would lose without it. Even though they are fully aware of the dangers the drugs obtain, they still continue to rely on these banned substances. Some athletes never wanted to do performance enhancing drugs but they felt it was a necessity because of the worldwide use. Dr. Robert Voy, the director of drug testing for the U.S. Olympic Committee, had American athletes tell him they were on performance enhancing drugs. He said, “Most of these athletes didn't really want to do drugs. But they would come to me and say, 'Unless you stop the drug abuse in sport, I HAVE to do drugs. I'm not going to spend the next two years training--away from my family, missing my college education--to be an Olympian and then be cheated out of a medal by some guy from Europe or Asia who is on drugs'” (Bamberger). They risk their health in order to remain capable to compete against other countries.
Performance/Health Effects of Performance Enhancing Drugs Some of the performance enhancing drugs used by athletes are anabolic steroids, human growth hormone (GH or HGH), ephedra, and erythropoietin (EPO). Anabolic steroids are taken in 4 to 12 week cycles to maximize the muscle building effects. They are very dangerous, risky drugs. Anabolic steroids cause a dysfunction in the lining of blood vessels that can stimulate vessels
Background
The use of performance enhancing drugs is a serious issue in many sports. The use of these drugs can be traced back to the original Olympic Games. Athletes used performance enhancing drugs to gain a competitive edge and to exceed their abilities. The use of banned performance enhancing substances began to escalate further worldwide, even more after the introduction of drug testing. This international concern lead to the formation of the World Anti-Doping Agency in 1999.
Why Performance Enhancing Drugs Were Used Many athletes used life threatening substances because they felt they would lose without it. Even though they are fully aware of the dangers the drugs obtain, they still continue to rely on these banned substances. Some athletes never wanted to do performance enhancing drugs but they felt it was a necessity because of the worldwide use. Dr. Robert Voy, the director of drug testing for the U.S. Olympic Committee, had American athletes tell him they were on performance enhancing drugs. He said, “Most of these athletes didn't really want to do drugs. But they would come to me and say, 'Unless you stop the drug abuse in sport, I HAVE to do drugs. I'm not going to spend the next two years training--away from my family, missing my college education--to be an Olympian and then be cheated out of a medal by some guy from Europe or Asia who is on drugs'” (Bamberger). They risk their health in order to remain capable to compete against other countries.
Performance/Health Effects of Performance Enhancing Drugs Some of the performance enhancing drugs used by athletes are anabolic steroids, human growth hormone (GH or HGH), ephedra, and erythropoietin (EPO). Anabolic steroids are taken in 4 to 12 week cycles to maximize the muscle building effects. They are very dangerous, risky drugs. Anabolic steroids cause a dysfunction in the lining of blood vessels that can stimulate vessels