Use of Drugs in Sports - Fair or Unfair

Introduction

Athletes have been using drugs to enhance their performance since the beginning of sports. Is it really fair? That is the question that has been asked for years, and it is a debate that is likely to continue for many more. Many athletes take drugs to improve their performances during sports. This practice is completely unethical, and it is not allowed. These drugs provide unfair sports performance benefits and develop many health-related risks. Taking drugs in sports is considered unfair.

Any athlete using drugs for advantage in sports is considered unfair; they damage their health and ruin the reputation of their sport. These drugs are known as performance-enhancing drugs. Government authority has already banned most drugs because of their unfair advantages. Many controversies have been heard about athletes using drugs to enhance their performance. Athletes find drug associations are punishable, and sometimes they get banned from sports.

Is it Fair to Use Drugs in Sports?

It is a debate that has been raging on for years. One side of the argument is called to say that using drugs is cheating and that the athletes who do so are not playing fair. They argue that using drugs gives athletes an unfair advantage over their competitors, and as a result, the competition is not fair. On the other side of the argument are those who say that using drugs is not cheating. They argue that athletes have been using drugs for centuries and that there is no such thing as a clean sport. They say that it is impossible to win without taking drugs and, as a result, the competition is not fair. According to government authorities and sports associations, taking drugs during sports is illegal and considered a crime. Sportspersons involved with illegal drug consumption will get punished.

Why Do Athletes Take Drugs?

Athletes take drugs for various reasons. Some take drugs to increase their strength and performance, while others take them to reduce pain and recover from injuries. There are also athletes who take drugs for aesthetic reasons, such as to increase muscle mass or lose weight. Whatever the reason, reviews in sports are unfair to the other athletes. It gives the users an unfair advantage and undermines the integrity of the sport.

What Are the Most Commonly Used Drugs to Enhance Performance in Sports?

Drugs athletes practice to enhance their performance during sports are known as performance-enhancing drugs. Most of the drugs are already banned by the government and the world anti-doping Agency. The most commonly used drugs to enhance performance in sports are listed below -

Stimulants Drugs:

• Amphetamines.

• Cocaine.

• MDMA (methylenedioxy­methamphetamine).

Narcotics Drugs:

• Morphine.

• Pethidine.

• Heroin.

Cannabinoids Drugs:

• Marijuana.

• Hashish.

Common Drugs: Some common drugs are found as performance-enhancing drugs. Global drug references provide knowledge about medicine status, whether it is banned or not. Some dietary supplements also contain performance-enhancing supplements, which the government also bans. Common drugs include -

• Insulin.

• Asthma drugs.

• Pseudoephedrine.

Drugs Without Prescription: Drugs that are bought without any prescription from the black market or chemist shop are known as illicit drugs used as performance-enhancing drugs. These drugs include -

• Anabolic steroid.

• Peptides.

• Hormones.

What Are the Side Effects of Drugs in Sports?

Everyone at least always wants to improve performance during sports, and that's why so many of them turn to performance-enhancing drugs. But these drugs are harmful to the health of sports people, and it is unfair to take advantage of any kind of drug during a sport. It is important to remember that the side effects of taking drugs are not just physical; they can also be psychological. Therefore, it is not fair to take medications in order to enhance performance or to get an unfair advantage over opponents. There are many side effects of using drugs in sports; some of them are listed below -

• Taking drugs in sports is illegal. So, if anyone is caught, they could face punishment from the sport's governing body as well as criminal charges.

• Some of the most common side effects include a decrease in athletic performance, an increase in the risk of injury, and a reduction in the life span of the athlete.

• Taking steroids can cause heart problems, kidney damage, and aggressive behavior.

• Some sports people use steroids to increase their strength; as a side effect, it causes hypertension, kidney failures, heart-related diseases, and menstrual cycle disturbances in female athletes.

• Some athletes use human growth hormones for fast recovery from injury in sports, and it develops side effects like diabetes and acromegaly (increased size of the organs).

• Some athletes use peptide hormones to improve endurance, which develops side effects like problems with blood clot formation, anemia, and heart stroke.

• Some athletes use beta blockers to increase focus and reduce anxiety levels which causes side effects like reduced blood circulation, tiredness, less sperm count, loss of memory, heart failure, and dryness of the mouth.

• Some sports people may use diuretics for weight loss or increase the excretion of drugs from the body. Diuretics cause lethargy, bowel problems, kidney dysfunction, rashes, increased body temperature, dehydration, and muscle weakness.

• Drugs can also have a negative impact on mental health. Athletes who take drugs can experience mood swings, depression, and even psychosis.

How Are Athletes Who Take Drugs Get Punished?

Athletes caught using performance-enhancing drugs are banned from their sport for a period of time. This can range from a few months to a lifetime, depending on the drug and the severity of the infarction. Additionally, they may be fined or ripened off any medals or titles they have earned.

Conclusion

There is a lot of debate surrounding drug use in sports. Some people argue that it is not fair to athletes who do not use drugs because they have an unfair advantage. Others argue that using drugs is a personal crisis and that athletes should be able to do whatever they want to do with their bodies. A number of side effects can occur when someone takes drugs, and these can vary depending on the drug. It causes heart-related problems, kidney failure, mood swings, depression, and other mental and physical problems. Taking drugs during sports is considered a crime. Athletes caught taking drugs during sports get banned from their sports by governing authorities and sports associations.