The use of performance enhancing drugs has been prevalent since the early modern Olympic Games. The range of drugs during the early period of use included “strychnine, heroin, cocaine, and morphine.” However they’re effects among the athletes who used them resulted in many fatalities. During World War II, the use of amphetamines became prevalent and common among soldiers to help curve the pain from muscle fatigue and improve performance. Many athletes began to discover its performance “benefits” and the use of amphetamines became the common performance enhancing drugs in sports. As time past, the athletes who began to depend on amphetamines to complete workouts became overexerted. Without the pain of muscle fatigue telling the body to stop, athletes on amphetamines would suffer from heatstroke, and overexertion which sometimes resulted in death.
Soon came the introduction of anabolic steroids, which is a growth hormone that promotes muscle growth. Anabolic agents have been used in a range of sports including swimming and track & field. The use of such agents can significantly reduce racing time. Overall, it seems that performance enhancing drug users have an unnatural advantage.
Unknown terms: amphetamines
· Amphetamines are prescription stimulants
I think what makes someone a true athlete is someone with the mental strength to cope with the pain of training in a sport. I also think that drugs should be used in aiding those who are disabled, not those who are in top physical shape and are looking for an extra edge on opponents.
Timothy D Noakes. The New England Journal of Medicine. Boston: Aug 26, 2004. Vol. 351, Iss. 9; pg. 847, 3 pgs
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