HW for Tr.Johnny-What is your opinion about athletes doping?

By Sophia Siu

Why Athletes want to use drugs to improve themselves?

Athletes may use drugs to improve themselves for several reasons, even though it’s risky and often against the rules. Here are some of the main motivations:

1. To enhance performance

Drugs like anabolic steroids, EPO (erythropoietin), or stimulants can help athletes run faster, lift heavier, recover quicker, or build more muscle. For some, this can mean the difference between winning and losing.

2. To recover faster from injuries

Some drugs help reduce inflammation or speed up tissue repair, allowing athletes to get back in the game sooner.

3. To cope with pressure

The pressure to win or keep their spot on a team can be intense. Athletes might turn to drugs to gain an edge and stay competitive.

4. To match their competition

If they believe others are doping, some athletes feel they need to use drugs just to keep up and level the playing field.

5. Financial and career incentives

Success in sports can bring fame, endorsements, scholarships, and big money. For some, the rewards seem worth the risks.

6. Psychological reasons

Some athletes are perfectionists or have low self-confidence. Drugs might feel like a shortcut to achieving their goals or maintaining their self-image.

Why are drugs unlawful? Will those damages make their bodies irrecoverable?

1. Unfair advantage (cheating):
   Sports are meant to be a test of natural talent, training, and discipline. Using drugs gives some athletes an artificial edge, which goes against the spirit of fair play.
2. Health risks:
   Many of these drugs can seriously harm the body. Sports organizations ban them to protect athletes from long-term damage or even death.
3. Integrity of the sport:
   Fans and sponsors want clean competitions. If people believe the outcomes are drug-driven, it ruins trust in the sport.
4. Peer pressure prevention:
   If doping were allowed, even clean athletes might feel forced to take drugs just to stay competitive—creating a toxic environment.

Can the damage from these drugs be permanent?

Yes, some damages can be irreversible, depending on the drug and how long it was used. Here are a few examples:

1.  Anabolic steroids
Can cause liver damage, heart problems, hormonal imbalances, and psychiatric issues. In men, they can shrink testicles; in women, they can cause permanent voice deepening or facial hair growth.

2. EPO (used for stamina)
Thickens the blood, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke—sometimes suddenly and fatally.

3. Stimulants
Can lead to addiction, high blood pressure, and heart issues.

4. Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

May cause abnormal bone growth, joint pain, or diabetes    

Is using drugs fair to everyone?

No. Using drug isn’t fair because the people who did wont focus on practice they just keep on focusing on drug until they are obsessed and the people playing fair might practice their asses off and it’s not fair

What is the sportsman spirit?

Sportsmanship means playing fair, respecting teammates and opponents, and showing integrity. It’s about teamwork, honesty, and giving your best—without cheating. However if the athlete starts using doping, it is actually against the sportsman spirit.

In conclusion,I think athletes who use drugs are trying to win for their own benefit, but it’s not worth it. It damages their health, ruins the sport, and most importantly, it’s unfair to everyone who works hard and plays by the rules.