I am gobsmacked by what Usain Bolt has done on the track this year. He has obliterated the world records in both the 100m and 200m races and set times that seemed unreachable till he came along. To put things in perspective, Ben Johnson's run at the Seoul Olympics in 88 set a mark of 9.79 seconds. Since then in the last 20 years the record had dropped to 9.72 before Bolt destroyed it last month by running a 9.58!!!
Now the question being asked is - does he runs clean? A long history of exposed sprint stars has cast a shadow of doubt over Bolt's accomplishments. The adverse effects these PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs) can have on a person's body have been well documented yet the demand to succeed in an ultra-competitive environment means that there will always be people who will risk bodily harm and humiliation to achieve fame and glory.
Why the big hangup against PEDs? The thought is that any competition should be fair and the winner should have no unfair advantage over his or her fellow competitors. Add to that the fact that consuming PEDs can have harmful side-effects. Also mentioned is the risk of young people turning to PEDs to try and emulate their idols.
This brings me to my question: Will you stop watching if you knew somebody was taking a PED? Would you not watch a Federer showcase his exquisite skills if he was known to be taking something? Would you not watch Ronaldo play if it turned out that he was a coke head?
I for one would keep watching! In fact here is what I suggest: Lets have a world championship where the athletes can take whatever drug they want. Then there will be no whispers of athletes being tainted. Lets see how fast a human can run, jump or throw a javelin if he or she can use any means available. I don't care if someone shows up with two horns and hooves for feet!!! The fact of the matter is that everybody loves a freak show...... The TV rating will go through the roof!
Let the games begin!
P.S. - The issue of PEDs in sport is a hotly debated one. There are those that believe that PEDs should be legalized while others feel that users should be caught and penalised. I have posted a link below that sums up the arguments on both sides. The one aspect that is not talked about in any of the articles I have read is that sport today is a multi-billion dollar business that relies on the top players playing and producing their best. I do not think that potential advertisers will walk away from an event if it has players who are on PEDs but they certainly will stay away if the marque players are absent. The bottom line is that there will always be a viewership for events which have the best players and for events which have drama and great competition.
Pros and Cons of using and allowing PEDs
http://tinyurl.com/c7cv3q
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I am personally a proponent of making it open and let each athlete decide what they are willing to do. In fact, the pros and cons made for very compelling reading and i liked some of the comments made on the pro side. The one question it does bring up in my mind is if there should be an age limit below which this should not be allowed. Would i want my 4th grader not being able to be competitive in an athletics event because his competitor's parents did not understand the long term effects of giving their 4th grader PEDs. Not sure if this is a slippery slope or if it can actually be controlled
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