Attempts to eliminate anabolic steroid from sports in an effort to preserve athletes as role models for our children is a failed strategy. The real problem lies with a society that worships athletes as role models. Manufacturing a moral issue out of steroid use in professional sports is hypocritical when other “immoral” behavior by athletes is not subject to the same media scrutiny, Congressional hearings, and multi-million dollar federal investigations.
It is certainly not Roger Clemens’ extramarital affair with country singer, Mindy McCready, that will keep him out of the Hall of Fame. It is his use of anabolic steroids and growth hormone that represent his moral unworthiness of being inducted in the Hall of Fame. Kobe Bryant’s extramarital affair (and rape accusations) were certainly an inconvenience for him, but won’t keep him out of his respective sport’s Hall of Fame. Neither will Michael Jordan’s extramarital affair. Or Magic Johnson’s affair. Or Jerry Rice’s affair. Or David Beckham’s affair. Or Maradona’s affair. Or even Renaldo’s solicitation of transvestite prostitutes.
The “culture of adultery” and “fast food sex mentality” in professional sports is an accepted, and even celebrated, part of professional sports.
Yet performance-enhancing drugs and the “culture of steroids” is seen as evil and immoral. The demonization of steroids in sports is absurd in the face of such hypocrisy.
About the author
Millard writes about anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their use and impact in sport and society. He discusses the medical and non-medical uses of anabolic-androgenic steroids while advocating a harm reduction approach to steroid education.
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