Drugs

I just read this piece in Sports Illustrated about Performance Enhancing Drugs, and why they should be legal in sports, especially if they're legally used in society.

The larger point seems to be the players know what they're getting into by taking them, even the legal ones, so just let it be what it is.

I disagree completely.

The reality is a lot of drugs that are legal have bad side effects on the body, especially for athletes training at a high level. Sometimes steroids could be necessary for health reasons, but to become a super-athlete, that's a bit different.

Many athletes believe there's a moral and ethical code to competition, and those same athletes might be vehemently against the idea of "cheating", or making yourself better through artificial means. So maybe it's true some players will choose to use PEDs while others don't, and the "buyer beware" motto holds. In truth though, it doesn't hold up at all.

For those who choose not to cheat, or enhance themselves in some extra way, they choose something they love to do, but at the same time are not jeopardizing their own health. If another person wants to do it, fine, but it happens at the expense of all players because those who cheat will have a competitive advantage over those who do not. Those who do not will be paid substantially less, and may not even make it to the top levels of sport because they wouldn't harm themselves. There's nothing detrimental physically to someone who chooses not to enhance, but when one group chooses to, it's to the detriment of ALL athletes.

Not to mention the impact allowing PEDs and other enhancements would have over children and younger athletes. It goes without saying they would certainly suffer.

The argument in favor of PEDs and other methods to make yourself better physically, which are not natural, is a very lame one.