Steroid Use in Sports

Essay # 64501

Sport > Medicine and Drugs

A discussion on the wide use of steroids in the sports arena.

2,108 words () | 13 sources | MLA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

In today's world, excelling in sports requires more than just natural ability. This paper examines the fact that many sports stars' exceptional abilities are inevitably linked to performance enhancing drugs. It looks at how, due to the pressure from all sides to perform well, some athletes resort to taking steroids to enhance their athletic ability.

From the Paper:

"Ben Johnson, the Canadian Olympic sprinter was stripped of his gold medal in the 1988 summer games after testing positive for steroids. Later he would admit to have taken up to three injections of steroids as well as three injections of human growth hormone (Cicero, 1990, p.1). Steroids turn the human body into this super human like machine. With all the pressures to succeed in professional sports today, performance-enhancing drugs seem to be the answer. The demand for stardom and multi-million dollar contracts has become a need for today's athlete, so much that they are willing to reach it by any means necessary. Professional boxing star, David Tua, who had always struggled with his weight, was tested positive for the banned stimulant ephedrine."