Doping in sports - a novel solution

[the 4th hanson bro]

With the recent revelation that Alex Rodriguez used steroids, but only while he was a Ranger because it was so hot , and the general feeling that steroid or other performance enhancing drug use in sports is so prevalent, here's a novel solution:

Remove all the rules. Let guys use whatever they want and however much of it they want. Let the team doctor provide some education regarding potential side effects, but after that, it's hands off.

Even though some of it may be illegal by the laws of the land, the league doesn't get into policing it or "outing" its members who choose to use performance enhancing drugs.

If everybody can do it, it takes some of the "arms race" idea out of its use and there are no more questions about different players.

 

[Starkers]

And every young athlete or sportsperson is faced with a choice, take drugs to compete with those who do, or consign yourself to never being a success in your chosen sport.

Personally I say get rid of random testing and make it compulsary for every single athlete or sportsperson.

 

[Garak]

My buddy wants to see two leagues for every sport - one where all players use steroids and one where no one uses them.

I think that'd be interesting to say the least....

 

[SmoothieX]

The average hat and jock strap sizes would be a bit different between the two leagues!

As for the lesson to our youth, I have a different feeling on it. My emphasis is more that: Yeah you can get ahead if you cheat. But before you jab that needle in your ass think about the future. Your career, dignity, and health may be ruined in the long run. Is it worth the millions now, or the potential shame and faulty heart later?

 

[Pegaritaville]

Remove all the rules. Let guys use whatever they want and however much of it they want. Let the team doctor provide some education regarding potential side effects, but after that, it's hands off.

Would that apply to all levels of play or only the pros? Either way, there would be a pretty big incentive to start taking performance enhancing drugs at all levels of play. Considering the dangers- especially to younger athletes- I don't think a hands off approach is the way to go. The last thing I want to see is a bunch of little leaguers or peewee hockey players trying to get ahead by juicing up on 'roids.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

My buddy wants to see two leagues for every sport - one where all players use steroids and one where no one uses them.

I think that'd be interesting to say the least....

Which league would have higher salaries?

As for the lesson to our youth, I have a different feeling on it. My emphasis is more that: Yeah you can get ahead if you cheat. But before you jab that needle in your ass think about the future. Your career, dignity, and health may be ruined in the long run. Is it worth the millions now, or the potential shame and faulty heart later?

The average pro athlete coming into the game at 18-22 doesn't have that long term a vision. They see the dollars and nothing else. Whatever they have to do to keep the money tree going they'll do.

I worked with a guy who was in an organization as a pitching prospect. He made it to the bigs for a season and a half or so but got out of the game after he developed diabetes.

The doctors said it was caused by his steroid use. He started using in the minors because he said it was pretty clear if you didn't, you were missing out on an advantage and he felt he had to do everything he could to get to the show.

[
Would that apply to all levels of play or only the pros? Either way, there would be a pretty big incentive to start taking performance enhancing drugs at all levels of play. Considering the dangers- especially to younger athletes- I don't think a hands off approach is the way to go. The last thing I want to see is a bunch of little leaguers or peewee hockey players trying to get ahead by juicing up on 'roids.

At the major league level only. All other competitive levels have mandatory testing and expulsion from the league for one positive test.

I'd be more worried about juiced up hockey moms.