The Doping Epidemic - Has Drug Abuse in Sports Gotten Out of Hand?

Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramirez and recently, Bartolo Colon have been among the many professional athletes to test positive for steroid use. 

To be quite honest, it always bothered me, but I never got too down about it, probably because I didn't connect with "America's past-time" the way other kids did. 

But that all changed tonight, and if word hasn't spread quickly, prepare to be disappointed, dejected, and let down. After raccusations from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Lance Armstrong, that's right, our Livestrong hero Lance Armstrong, decided that he wouldn't fight charges that could potentially strip him of 7 Tour de France Titles. 

But why Lance? Why not just deny the use, and rest on your laurels of previous drug tests you consistently passed? 

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Armstrong claimed he wouldn't fight the charges made against him because he was tired of the "nonsense." Sadly, this would lead all of us to believe only one thing--he was on steroids. 

But don't throw away those Livestrong bracelets too quickly. In addition to being extremely confident in his victories being legitimate, Armstrong also added that he would ignore accusations against him, and was getting back to his original philanthropy of helping cancer patients. 

What's my opinion? Well, I don't want to be like the USADA and assume just because he didn't fight it that he was doped up from 1999-2005. On the other hand, I am skeptical and somewhat puzzled at the fact that he didn't just dismiss the assertions made against him. Perhaps he was on steroids at some point during the seven-year span, though as a sentimental person and a fellow athlete, I believe Lance, and wouldn't peg him as the type of person to weasel his way to the top via steroidal shortcuts. Besides which, had he not won, perhaps a fellow teammate of his who had openly admitted steroid use would have won. And what would we say then? Nothing. I'd be interested in knowing just how many professional athletes are on steroids, but ione thing is certain, it's far too many. What ever happened to wholesome old sports? Gone. Today's era consists of a win or go home mentality, and if winning requires steroids, so be it. Personally, I've never tried steroids, though I'd wager winning with the aid of steroids sure beats the hell out of losing without them. 

The USADA seems to have gotten carried away with their accusations, and I'm not sure that you can win without being barraged with a slew of vicious accusations that you're a juiced-up steroid machine.

In this case, it seems like everyone is doing wrong, as the USADA has jumped to conclusions with no real trial and testimony, and Armstrong had to uphold his pride by choosing not to fight the so-called "nonsense." 

As to how the problem of performance-enhancing drugs, I don't see any viable solution, though at this point it might benefit everyone to just legalize the use of anabolic steroids and dazzle the world with a plethora of broken records and super-human athletic performances. (Just kidding, though I'd like to see what Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps would be able to do with a little steroidal assistance).