Drugs In Sports

INTRODUCTION

Top sport associations such as IOC (International Olympic Committee) have been battling to eliminate drugs from sports with the aid of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). With drugs still dominating sports headlines it becomes clear that drugs are still being used by many.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DRUGS IN SPORTS?

There are many benefits that drugs can achieve for athletes. The most common uses of drugs in sports include:

• Performance enhancers
• Relaxing after an event
• Boost confidence
• Pain killers
• Weight control

Even though there are benefits for athletes to take drugs, there are far more risks and side effects.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF DRUG USE BY ATHLETICS?

Due to the amount of reasons for taking drugs, there are too many side effects to be listed here. The most common kind of drugs that athletes are known to take are steroids that are used as performance enhancers. The side effects of steroids can include:

• Reduced sperm count
• Impotence
• Aggression
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Heart problems
• Liver and Kidney Damage
• Failing a drug test

Failing a drug test may not be a side effect as such but this can go on to ruin the career of any athlete that is caught taking drugs.

CONSEQUENCES OF A FAILED DRUG TEST

Regular drug tests are carried out by sports associations such as the IOC to try and prevent drugs from being used unfairly. A panel of doctors, athletics and sports officials are often used to review any positive drug tests and decide the outcome between them.

A first positive result will often carry a sentence of penalties of the competitive season but the athlete is often still allowed to compete. If an athlete is tested positive on more than one occasion then more serious consequences can be given. These consequences can include:

• One year ban from competition
• Loss of scholarship or sponsorship
• Lifetime ban from completion

In addition to the consequences that are given by the official sports association, further consequences of public knowledge and humiliation are often given. This happens as many top athletes with positive results have hit sports headlines.

CONCLUSION

It is true that taking drugs can benefit athletes in many ways however there is much publicity that surrounds the practice of illegal drug taking. With the measures that are in place, the risks far outweigh the benefits. On top of this there are many side effects that can cause long term health complications.