athletes have been accused of using illegal substances. Recently, the media have focused on athletes such as Marion Jones and the issue of performance-enhancing drugs. Despite the fact that drug testing procedures have improved, with the aim of keeping sports clean, testing has been unable to maintain pace with drug creation and usage. To eliminate drug use, the sporting world needs a new generation of athletes with an improved set of morals. The future athletes must have a complete understanding of the power and effects of using performance-enhancing drugs, instead of only knowing what the media says about these substances, both positive and negative. After the future athletes are educated about the consequences of illegal supplements, they must live up to their obligations as heroes to children. This duty is important because role models can have a significant impact on youth, and can instill the desire in a child to live a substance-free life. Young adults need to know more about substances that are often championed for their performance-enhancement potential, such as steroids and human growth hormone. Steroids are popular because they, “promote muscle growth and the development of male sexual characteristics,” according to the National Drug Intelligence Center. However, steroids are designed specifically for certain medical conditions; their use without a valid prescription is illegal. Human growth hormone (or HGH), the New York Times reports, “can be prescribed only to treat illnesses for which it has been specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration,” the only exception being people who are unable to produce a significant amount of HGH. Many believe that steroids and human growth hormone are useful supplements because of their ability to increase muscle mass and quicken recovery from injury. Despite potential benefits, these substances can cause significant bodily harm. Steroids can engender, among many side effects, “liver tumors and cancer,” while human growth hormone’s side effects include “alter[ing] the body’s ability to metabolize carbohydrates, leading to blood-sugar imbalances and, in some cases, diabetes,” wrote Gretchen Reynolds in the New York Times. Due to their dangerous nature, the drugs must only be taken under doctor’s supervision for medical need, not for athletic success.
Today’s professional athletes have demonstrated a lack of concern for their bodies and for their obligations as role models in th
e quest for athletic success. Therefore, it appears that the only way for sports to rebuild its disgraced reputation is for a new generation of athletes to have a renewed sense of morality. Though it is absurd to say that an athlete should not be able to utilize medical advances to his or her benefit, for athletes to take medicine without conclusive scientific support is irresponsible and reckless (see examples of problems with steroids in the image to the left). Parents and role models ought to encourage young people not to take steroids and human growth hormone because drugs have not been conclusively proven to be worth the health risks. However, simply stating that using illegal drugs is wrong is unlikely to sway a young athlete facing intense pressure to succeed. Explaining to that child, on the other hand, that he may “experience shrinking of the testicles,” or that she might develop, “male-pattern baldness” provides a more powerful example than the stereotypical: “Because I said so.” Role models would be well advised to initiate discussions about the negatives of illegal drugs because modern-day athletes, whom many children admire, are often setting a poor example, and unwilling to acknowledge their mistakes.
It is possible that the sporting world has not eliminated performance-enhancing drug use by players because of the significant profits being made in sports, due to ticket prices, jersey sales and other amenities. Another possibility is that progress is coming, albeit slowly, because change takes time to develop in large institutions common in the sporting industry. No matter what the reason, in order to create an even playing field, all must abide by the rules. Since a large number of sports figures seem not to care about those rules, it is up to the athletes of tomorrow to transform the sporting world. Competitors in future generations must build upon the mistakes of the past and present, using the knowledge gained to create a drug-free and healthier future.
2 comments:
I really enjoyed your blog this week regarding the negative affects that top athletes can have on today’s youth. It is important for people who are in the media’s spotlight to acknowledge and uphold the social responsibility they have to today’s society. I completely agree that “A supportive, understanding and motivating role model can instill the desire to live a substance-free life.” I think statistical evidence to support this argument such as the number of kids watching sports or survey reports of how many children consider athletes to be their top role models, could really help strengthen your argument in terms of how many children are being affected by those athletes using drugs. I also agree with your argument that “simply stating that using these drugs is wrong is unlikely to sway a young athlete facing intense pressure to succeed” and they must be presented with health risks to understand the negative affects of using drugs. I might also consider talking to young athletes about the consequential outcomes taken on athletes who have been caught using drugs, such as Marion Jones. In your link to the article regarding the outcomes of Marion Jones drug use it states that “Seven years later, she is broke, her reputation is ruined and she is looking at prison time”. Young athletes must recognize that they are violating the rules of the game, and severe consequences will be enacted due to their action. I think by showing that not even athletes are “above the law” young athletes will understand that if they want to be one of the best, they need to play by the rules and respect their bodies and the sporting game. I think it is also important to note that not all athletes use drugs and many have been very positive influences in children’s lives by creating youth programs and summer camps. Overall, your blog was very concise and well-developed. Your links and images are well placed, and I look forward to reading your future blogs.
Dear Ga,
Thanks for reading my post, and thanks for the compliments.
I will consider your suggestions in future posts.
Thanks for reading,
-mhs
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