Performance Enhancing Drugs No Place in Sport

Drug taking in sport is morally/ethically wrong

Athletes who use performance enhancing drugs successfully would be awarded for a performance that an individual that may not had without taking these drugs, it would be unfair to those who train without taking drugs.

If drug – taking was part of the rules, it would contradict the rules of fair play, integrity and unity of sports. Rules would be broken and it is not the spirit of sport.

‘The use of drug use in sport is both unhealthy and contrary to the ethics of sport. It is necessary to protect the physical and spiritual health of athletes, the values of fair play and of competition, the integrity and the unity of sport, and the rights of those who take part in it at whatever level’.

Sports is assumed to help individuals learn from their defeats, helps teams promote co – operation and interdependence, importing moral and social value and integrity to promote a healthy society. Drugs should have no place in sport.

The reasons why athletes turn to drugs

Some athletes turn to drugs to help them be ahead of their competitors. Drugs that enhance your performance are used to improve athletic abilities and give an unfair advantage over their competitors in sports.

An individual can turn to drugs if they are dissatisfied with their performance and progress. They want to be psychologically dependent and they want to cope with their anxiety and stress. They have the desire to be successful and they have a lack of confidence which is a major source of internal pressure.

Competitors set the standards to which an athlete must perform. The media plays an important role in shaping attitudes and opinions of the public. How they portray an athlete and how they reflect on athletes’ performance cannot only influence the public but the athlete as well.

Pressure for sporting success may also be the result of social encouragement and achieving the goals that are set for them. The glory for sporting achievement is a strong motivator towards success.

Legalization of drugs in sports arguments both for and against

It should not be allowed as it is not fair for the athletes who work really hard to be the best in their performance. Using drugs means you are ignoring the body’s needs. An example would be if an individual has been working out and at the same time has been taking drugs, the body forgets how hot it is, this can lead to overheating of the body and dehydration. It should not be allowed if the athletes want to live.

Performanceenhancing drugs should be legalised as long as the drugs are distributed appropriately. Taking risks with their health is an athletes decision to make and using these drugs is part of the development of sports much like improved training techniques and new technologies.

If we allow drugs in sport what is it teaching the youths, it gives the wrong message that you do not have to work hard to become an athlete and that shortcuts are allowed to get to what you want. We should be teaching the youths that if they want something they will have to put in the hard work and pain in order to reach their goals.

References

1. BBC, (2014) BBC - Ethics - Sporting Ethics: Body Modification, Bbc.co.uk. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/sport/debate/drawingline_1.shtml (Accessed: 15 April 2017).
2. Conlee, RK. (1991).Perspectives in exercise science and sports medicine, Vol. 4: ergogenics, enhancement of performance in exercise and sport.1991:285–329
3. Ip, H. (2014) Drugs In Sport - Ethical Issues, Smapworld.tripod.com. Available at: http://smapworld.tripod.com/drugs/ethical.html (Accessed: 15 April 2017).
4. McCalla, S. (2014) Moral/Ethical Analysis Of Performance Enhancement In Sports, University Publications. Available at: http://www.universitypublications.net/ijas/0704/pdf/T4N233.pdf (Accessed: 15 April 2017).
5. McCormack, O. (2014) Drugs and Cheating in Sport: Ethical Issues, prezi.com. Available at: https://prezi.com/zn7cflrmn0mw/drugs-and-cheating-in-sport-ethical-issues/ (Accessed: 15 April 2017).
6. Smith, J. (2012) Ethical Issues in Sports, Ethical Issues in Sports. Available at: http://john23jay.wixsite.com/sports-and-ethics/drug-use (Accessed: 15 April 2017).
7. Tia, A. (2016) Should the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports be legalized?Debate.org. Available at: http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-the-use-of-performance-enhancing-drugs-in-sports-be-legalized (Accessed: 15 April 2017).