Some people are permitted to use steroids for medical
purposes. Unfortunately, for
professional athletes, they are prohibited from using these types of
drugs. However, some people cannot hep
themselves. Some could argue that using
steroids can be beneficial and that athletes should be allowed to use
them. Most others have come to agree
that steroids are too harmful to the human body, and if some athletes use them
other participants are at an unfair disadvantage. Since the athletes are limited by not using steroids
there rights are being reduced.
The other end of the spectrum is that all athletes are
allowed and actually encouraged to take steroids. Some say that the corticosteroids and EPO would
allow athletes to regenerate after injury would be beneficial. Athletes could get back to playing their
sports more quickly and effectively, further increasing the competiveness of
sports.
When I think about steroids in professional cycling one name
comes to mind, Lance Armstrong. He
became infamous last year following the reading of the USADA (United States Anti-Doping
Agency) report. The 202 page report, supported
by 1000 pages of evidence said they found Armstrong guilty of using PEDs (Performance
Enhancing Drugs). After which, Armstrong sued USADA stating they did not
have jurisdiction to bring the case forward, and that if forced to arbitrate
his case, he would not receive due process. Soon after the lawsuit was dismissed, and
Armstrong decided to no longer fight the case.
In 2006 there was
an allegation of PED use by Armstrong.
During a post-operation examination of Armstrong after brain surgery in
1996 he allegedly admitted to using EPO, cortisone, steroids, testosterone, and
HGH. SCA Promotions, a Texas company,
attempted to keep five million dollars in bonus from Armstrong because of the
allegation. However, the case was
settled out of court with SCA and Tailwind Sports paying Armstrong 7.5 million. Since the decision last year by the USADA, SCA
Promotions has sent a letter to Armstrong asking that he pay them 12 million, a
counter-offer of one million has alleged been offered by his legal staff. The federal government has joined in the
whistle-blower lawsuit against Armstrong, and he could lose 90 million.
USADA is not a
government organization, however, half of their budget comes from the Office of
National Drug Control Policy. USADA is
responsible for implementing the World Anti-Doping Code. The World Anti-Doping Code has been adopted by
600 sport organizations, and almost 200 countries. The World Anti-Doping Code sets a bar across
these countries to regulate and try to eliminate steroid use.
Power to control
anti-doping has been given to the federal government by way of a treaty. UNESCO
International Conference of Doping in Sport is the first international treaty
against PED’s. The conference was held
in 2005 and went into effect in 2007. The
treaty legally binds federal governments to align domestic policy with the
World Anti-Doping code.
Armstrong Doping Case Wiki-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Armstrong_doping_case#2010-2012_Federal_Inquiry
NYT Armstrong
Government Suit- http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/23/sports/cycling/justice-department-will-join-lawsuit-against-armstrong.html?pagewanted=all
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