Influence and Ethical Controversies Surrounding the use of Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports

The ever-increasing demand for optimal performance in sports has led to the controversial use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). These substances promise a competitive edge, but they also open a Pandora's box of ethical dilemmas, health risks, and integrity breaches in sporting competitions worldwide. This article evaluates the reasons why athletes may turn to these substances, as well as their physical and mental effects. It also covers the associated scandals and measures being taken by sports bodies to combat PED use, along with touching upon associated ethical considerations.

What Drives Athletes to PEDs?

A significant reason why athletes may resort to using PEDs is the immense pressure to win. As put by Bob Goldman, a renowned sports psychologist, Athletes are willing to risk virtually anything, if it will enhance performance.” High rewards like fame, financial bonuses, and social recognition associated with achieving top performance can be enticing, pushing athletes towards PEDs.

Physical and Mental Effects of PED Use

While PEDs may improve an athlete's performance in the short term, they pose serious physical and mental health risks. Anabolic steroids can cause liver damage, high blood pressure, and aggression, whereas stimulants can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Psychologically, the use of PEDs can lead to addiction, mood swings, and depression, as noted by the Mayo Clinic.

Impact on the Integrity of Sports

The use of PEDs not only affects the athlete in question but also undermines the spirit of fair play, thereby impacting the integrity of the sports. It was most evident in the infamous Lance Armstrong scandal, where his seven Tour de France titles were stripped off due to PED use.

Measures Against PED Use

Sports bodies globally are taking stringent actions to eliminate PED use, incorporating rigorous doping tests and severe penalties for violations. For instance, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has formulated strict policies and regularly updates its list of prohibited substances.

Ethical Considerations

Debates around PED use bring up several ethical considerations. Fairness in competition is one of them, demanding a level playing field for all athletes. However, there is also the viewpoint that disallowing PEDs infringes upon an athlete’s bodily autonomy. Furthermore, health risks associated with PEDs heighten the ethical stakes in this discussion.

The Grey Area

We also need to consider the grey area of legal substances and medical treatments that may enhance performance. This includes corticosteroids injections for pain management or hyperbaric chambers for improved recovery, which are not deemed illegal or unethical today. The line between what is considered sports advancement and what is doping can sometimes be a blur.

In the end, there is no denying the intricate and complex nature of the PED controversy. What is clear, however, is the need for ongoing research, policy revisions, and greater emphasis on the spirit of sportsmanship in managing this issue.