If caught,
athletes
on steroids will typically suffer either one or all of the
following: ban from the sport (can be for life), monetary fine
(amounting to thousands of dollars), stripping of medals (as in the
case of Ben Johnson and
Marion
Jones), and revoked or suspended license.
Athletes on steroids
may also suffer the stigma of their peers and the public. Despite all
of these possible consequences, why do athletes still insist in using
steroids? Simple:
Athletes
on steroids want to win the game.
Athletes take steroids
because these banned compounds are known to enhance the
performance levels of athletes.
Steroids
enhance the athlete’s performance by increasing the strength and
endurance. Athletes on steroids are said to exhibit most of the
positive aspects of athletic
performance
–
athletes on steroids
are reportedly stronger, bigger, and faster. This is why
many consider athletes on steroids as cheaters because they gain unfair
advantage over their opponents. Steroids also heighten the athlete’s
aggression
level. This means that when athletes are on steroids they
display an enhanced aggression that can make them win in the playing
field. Many say that as long as there are high stakes for
competitive sports –
sponsorships, accolades, recognition – we will be seeing a lot of
athletes on steroids.