Performance enhancing drugs – curse or blessing

What would you do when your favourite sport is suddenly not as fast or even on a much lower level as before? Would you still love watching it on TV when pro sports just become average?

In almost every professional sport such as soccer, athletics, cycling and even baseball performance enhancing drugs were used frequently. This is not as bad as you might think. Due to the fact that every athlete uses them competitions are quite fair and most importantly on a much higher level which entertains the audience.

However performance enhancing drugs are not healthy or even positive for sports in general. The fact that many athletes died during or after competitions confirms this. For example Tom Simpson died on his bike during a stage of the tour the France up to the famous Mont Ventoux. Apart from this many former pros suffer from cancer, infertility and many other diseases.

Without a doubt Lance Armstrong won the tour the France seven times and was one of the best cyclists of all time. And yes, he doped too, as any other cyclist during this time did. Unlike Justin Gatlin a current American sprinter, Lance Armstrong got rid of his seven tour titles and was banned from any cycling competitions for the rest of his life. Armstrong is just an example how fast you can lose anything that you have achieved during your pro career.

Summarized doping plays a major role in pro sports and brings us catching and entertain contests. Every athlete should decide for himself if he wants to stay sound or if he wants be one of the best sports men of all time.

© Rafael Schabus