Drugs in sport

Why are there so many drugs in sport? Why do people feel the need to cheat?

Sport has become a money making powerhouse with sponsors, betting agencies,  billionaire owners taking over clubs. The need to succeed and the pressure put on players is phenomenal.

The supporters of a team don't want to see their team lose and if your team is losing week in and week out then the pressure mounts and then the team doctors give performance enhancing drugs or players take performance enhancing drugs to improve. Lance Armstrong was one of the world's greatest cyclists and to stay at the top he thought it would be wise to take drugs. He had everything, he had money, fame, sponsors, 7 tour de france titles and now he has nothing, his sponsors want nothing to do with him.

The money that betting agencies bring in every year is upwards of $500 million every year and with top players getting paid upwards of £250, 000 every week these numbers are astronomical. With the amount of money involved in sport comes the need to succeed, But at what cost?

Is it worth being sacked by your club? Is it worth having sponsors and team mates hating you? With the money involved and the pressures involved in professional sport, there will always be performance enhancing drugs. The Essendon Football Club was in the AFL Finals Series that was until ASADA delivered the judgement for Essendon's drug program. Essendon were fined and had to miss out on finals.

Anyone caught by drug tests faces a minimum of two years out of the sport. Is it worth it? Athletes today feel the need to cheat to be better than their opponents but athletes have to be role models for children too. Children look up to their favourite sporting heroes and absolutely idolise and adore them. Athletes need to know that it isn't just about winning or losing or about money or pride but what sort of example are they setting.

The penalties for drug takers needs to be harsher.  If you are caught the minimum should be five years but that's just my opinion. I would love to hear some feedback. Thanks for reading