Bigger, Stronger, Faster

     The number of advocates and opponents for the current ban of steroids in sport is many and each side possesses an extensive list of reasons in support for its position. Those in support of the ban often argue that to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) goes against good ethics as it is a form of cheating, children/young people are influenced to use substances they have no knowledge about because they are highly impressionable, and they are dangerous potentially putting athletes at higher risk for injury and death (Reardon & Creado, 2014, pg. 98-101). Additional arguments made include the innate unfairness of PEDS, which is heightened when it is considered that not everyone has access to their benefits (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 667-668). Ultimately, the World Anti-Doping Agency seeks to eliminate the use of illegal drugs that are performance enhancing, health risks, and violations to the "celebration of the human spirit, body, and mind" - also known as the "spirit of sport" (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 666). 

      As that list goes on, rebuttals in favor of the use of PEDs in sport are made and are just as extensive. This list generally begins with the fact that a number of elite athletes are using illegal drugs/cheating, thus in order to achieve a level playing field and a competitive atmosphere, one must take PEDs to keep up and push further (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 666). Not only do athletes often feel forced to take steroids in order to stay on track with other athletes, but also in order to attain greater levels of personal success, which is often the driving force in any highly performing athlete. An interesting argument made in favor of PEDs is that their use is, "Far from being against the spirit of body, [because] biological manipulation embodies the human spirit - the capacity to improve ourselves on the basis of reason and judgment" (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 667). This suggests that the creativity of humankind should be able to biologically influence sport to a greater degree than it already does. Furthermore, as medicine improves, it is becoming increasingly difficult to detect and therefore monitor drug use in sport, so removing the ban would eradicate the massive amount of money spent attempting to create this technology as well as administering the extensive tests (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 666). The argument that PEDs are unsafe to athletes is rebutted in a number of ways, including the proposition that if PEDs were legalized, the focus would shift from escaping detection to improving the safety of the drug (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 668). Though that is speculation, it is made on rather solid grounds considering the amount of research, time and resources put into hiding drug use. 

     This topic of PEDs in sport is the focus of the documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster, which shows both sides of the argument in attempt for a man to understand his stance against the use of steroids. In this movie, the men and women shown take steroids for a number of reasons including compensation for shortcomings, improve functional and aesthetic musculature, health reasons, and influence from the competitive American culture. Bell challenges the dominant ideas around steroids by interviewing a number of people involved in sport and steroid use. He addresses the common belief that steroids are dangerous for a number of health reasons, but finds that a number of highly accredited health professionals deny that misconception and even finds that some support the use of steroids. Another interesting topic he tackled is the double standard of drug use by adults, despite the claim that "steroids aren't for kids." He does not understand how his little brother is a huge advocate for steroids, yet lies to the young men he coaches by denying his usage, because of the association between steroids and cheating. 

     Though I understand the arguments made in favor of allowing PEDs in sport because a number of athletes are already using and the eradication of the ban would potentially level the playing field, I still think that the ban is necessary. I found the movie insightful, but it did not affect my personal position much because I found myself imagining the same guilt Bell felt after taking steroids. PEDs are so deeply engrained in me as a way of cheating, which is why I do not think I could ever accept their use in sports.

Works Cited

Bell, C. (2008). Bigger stronger faster [Motion picture]. USA: Magnolia Home Entertainment.

Reardon, C. L., & Creado, S. (2014). Drug abuse in athletes. Substance Abuse & Rehabilitation, (5)95-105. doi:10.2147/SAR.S53784

Savulescu, J., Foddy, B., & Clayton, M. (2011). Why we should allow performance enhancing drugs in sport. Br J Sport Med, (38) 666-670. doi: 10.1136