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Results so far:
| Yes | 54% | 319 votes | Total: 595 votes | |
| No | 46% | 276 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesCheating is cheating, no matter what venue or arena of sport. Everyday we hear of some 'sports hero,' that is under indictment for drug use. It doesn't matter whether it is cocaine, methamphetamines, alcohol or steroids; drugs are prevalent in every sport. In most cases, these athletes are given a slap on the wrist, a temporary suspension from play and possibly some menial fine; that means nothing to the overpaid player who makes millions.
I find it appalling that athletes are placed on some type of pedestal to be worshipped by the sports public when they didn't even earn the right to be there. For the honest player who abides by the rules of fair play, it is a slap in the face. Those athletes work extremely hard in the sport that they love; to become the best that they can be. For an athlete to cheat, gives a black eye to all players in their respective sport.
It appears that drug abuse is not meted out fairly between an athlete and your every day John Doe. If you are the 'man on the street', and caught using drugs; you risk being fired from your job, thrown in jail, fined and looked upon badly by your peers. However, if you're an athlete, most of your indiscretions are forgiven because of your stature in the sports world.
How many tournaments, championships, medals and rings have been won by a team or individual who was using drugs? Maybe the team/individual that abided by the rules should have been the winner. Is this fair to the ones who worked hard to make it to the finals? What kind of an example does it set for our young people who idolize and worship the leaders of their sport?
Anabolic steroids (which promotes muscle tissue growth), is one of the most misused drugs in the sports world. Since this is an injectable hormone, I find that the ability to get this drug requires obtainment by a physician or with the knowledge of staff members. So it is not just the athlete that is cheating but also others involved in the organization.
The term "win at all cost", is not taking into consideration the physical damage to the body that may become permanent. Steroids and alcohol will destroy the liver and eventually break down the muscle tissue over time. Cocaine and methamphetamines will eventually destroy brain cells and the nasal cavity. The time-frame for an athlete is short lived compared to other occupations as it is, so why would you want to endanger your life and livelihood even further by the use of drugs?
By banning a professional sports athlete for life, for using drugs; will send a message that this behavior will no longer be tolerated. It will also revive the original image that working hard and giving it your all, will actually mean something.
Learn more about this author, Nanette Piotrowski.
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No
Athletes, actors, musicians, and other celebrities shouldn't receive special treatment. Unfortunately for them, they often receive negative special treatment. To take it off topic for a second, Britney Spears is a prime example. Yes, she is being rather belligerent and proving herself unfit to be a mother; but on some level, you have to feel sorry for her and the way the media just gawks at her personal crisis and continues to egg her into more problems.
The media loves to play favorites, lets not be naive. Now, are you really going to believe that Barry Bonds and Miguel Tejada are going to receive the same treatment for doing the exact same thing? Absolutely not. Granted they aren't going up against the exact same case and circumstances, they are going against the same general problem, accusations of using steroids. Barry Bonds has more fame, more publicity, and more money. Therefore, if it were a foot race, Tejada would fall short steps behind.
On a different note, are steroids really as bad as sports associations make them out to be? Steroids are given to children that have muscle deficiencies to help regenerate growth and build up strength. Many times, athletes take steroids to reach a certain goal they have, whether that be marking in a shorter lap time, or gaining a few extra inches around their arms. Granted that in large amounts it can be harmful, but that can go for any kind of drug, even aspirin.
Regardless of being famous or not, I don't condone breaking laws and regulations. Therefore, if players do break them, they should be punished for it. Suspension and fines should definitely be implemented. Alongside that, I believe a public statement accepting the fact that he has disobeyed the league and is now ready to face the punishment would be a great addition. In no way should they be allowed to just get away with a pat on the hand and a warning. Children look up to athletes, wish to be like them, and it wouldn't be a positive effect on the mental process of children to think that it's okay to bend the rules for those with money and fame. However, to say they are banned for life and never will be able to participate in a dream that they worked so hard for is absolutely ridiculous.
Learn more about this author, Ashley Singh.
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